[nagdu] MBTA was Re: beginning to use a cane

[David Andrews]

We used to sing it at summer camp in New Jersey, (blind camp,) in the 
late 60's.

Dave

At 03:22 PM 12/24/2011, you wrote:
>I am definitely not that old, however, that song is so heavily 
>entrenched in Boston lore, that even I know it. lol.
>
>
>
>If you want croudes and crowds of people, come to Boston. Sometimes, 
>when I go out, at 2 or 3 in the morning, the sidewalks are still 
>crowded. Figure that. And, it's nothing like New York or DC.
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 4:14 PM
>Subject: Re: [nagdu] MBTA was Re: beginning to use a cane
>
>
>>"Charley on the MTA" was a very popular song in the late 1950s or 
>>early 1960s - think it was sung by the Kingston Trio.  So, yeah, 
>>anyone over at least 55 would remember it.
>>
>>It is amazing how much more crowded the streets in Boston are 
>>compared to San Diego.  Sometimes I really have to look hard for a 
>>crowded place to give Landon crowd practise.  Usually street fairs 
>>work well and sometimes at the Embarcadero when a cruise ship is in 
>>port and it is a wonderful weekend day when the sun shines and the 
>>temps are in the mid 70s during the summer. Most people drive here 
>>and don't walk - or rather it is hard to walk some places because 
>>Southern California is so geared to cars rather than walking, 
>>biking, or puplic transportation.
>>Landon likes the crowds so he isn't bored and has alot to watch out 
>>for than a boring walk in the neighborhoods - except for Hillcrest 
>>- where there's hardly any people on the sidewalks.
>>
>>Lyn and Landon
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:34 PM
>>Subject: [nagdu] MBTA was Re: beginning to use a cane
>>
>>
>>>Lol. True.  Funny how so many people from all over the country 
>>>know about this song.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 4:23 PM
>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>
>>>
>>>>But, you can get off the thing and not have you're lunch thrown every day!
>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>>Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 2:36 PM
>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Not having been around way back then, I wouldn't know, but I 
>>>>>would assume so, but, the T still costs a lot of money. Almost 
>>>>>$7.00 to ride the commuter rail, something similar for the boat, 
>>>>>just under 2 bucks for the subway, busses, Greene line trolley, 
>>>>>and whatnot. Parking at one of the T stations is also quite 
>>>>>expensive. However, parking in the city can run up to $50 a day 
>>>>>depending ware u are parking. At the parking lot next to my 
>>>>>doarm it is $30 a day. Prices around hear are ridiculous.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" 
>>>>><REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
>>>>>To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>>>Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:08 AM
>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Wasn't fifteen cents a lot of money back then though?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>>>>>>[mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark J. Cadigan
>>>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:46 PM
>>>>>>To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If only the MTA now the MBTA or to us locals simply the T was 
>>>>>>only 15 cense
>>>>>>like it is in the song. It's up over $1.50 or something like that now. It
>>>>>>varies by station and line what they charge. I just lode up my "Charley
>>>>>>Card" and refill it when it runs out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>To keep this on subject, I have always used my cane my entire life, and
>>>>>>notice the varying reactions when I have it, and when I don't 
>>>>>>because I put
>>>>>>it down to do something or whatnot. I am still trying to 
>>>>>>convince my dad to
>>>>>>walk around the city with one of my old canes just to observe 
>>>>>>the reactions,
>>>>>>but he refuses. However, he still says that people react to me no
>>>>>>differently than they do to him. Somehow I find this hard to believe.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>>>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 3:45 PM
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Yeah, Larry, I did finally return and met Charlie on the MTA as wwell!
>>>>>>>LOL!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I didn't care about the stares either - and yeah, hope folks liked what
>>>>>>>they saw!  Nobody ever asked me for a date, either - sigh.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Lyn and Landon
>>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:46 AM
>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>You just didn't want to use the MTA for fear of never returning!  I
>>>>>>>>understand your feelings though.  I myself have never really 
>>>>>>>>cared about
>>>>>>>>what everyone else thaught.  Yah, I was always kind of cocky 
>>>>>>>>that way. I
>>>>>>>>remember while attending Northern Michigan University in 1981, when I
>>>>>>>>gave my cane to a roommate.  He was really unnerved by 
>>>>>>>>everyones stares.
>>>>>>>>I followed him through the isles and folks thaught I was his keepper!
>>>>>>>>When he gave me back my cane, he asked how I could stand all 
>>>>>>>>the stares.
>>>>>>>>I told him I usually don't notice them but when I do, I hope they like
>>>>>>>>what they're seeing!  Especialy the girls!!
>>>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>>>>>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>>>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 1:14 PM
>>>>>>>>Subject: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Buddy,
>>>>>>>>>I think this is very true in that some folks would rather have people
>>>>>>>>>think they are drunk rtather than someone seeing that they 
>>>>>>>>>are actually
>>>>>>>>>visually impaired or blind.  That is the stigma of blindness talking!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I remember back in the early 1970s when I moved to Boston and had to
>>>>>>>>>travel in an urban envirnment on my own.  Previously to that, I was
>>>>>>>>>always with someone because there was no public transportation at all
>>>>>>>>>and I rode everywhere in a car.  If I did walk, it was on quiet
>>>>>>>>>residential streets going to or coming home from school.  There was a
>>>>>>>>>shopping center nearby but on my side of a very busy street so I never
>>>>>>>>>had to cross that.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>In Boston, my friends introduced me to a white cane - I had never seen
>>>>>>>>>one before!  The blind people I grew up with never used canes. They
>>>>>>>>>went sighted guide with family members.  At that time I 
>>>>>>>>>could see quite
>>>>>>>>>well although I was still legally blind.  I could get around 
>>>>>>>>>pretty well
>>>>>>>>>without any travel aids.  But at night, I had NO vision and needed a
>>>>>>>>>cane. Previously, I NEVER went out at night except for 
>>>>>>>>>Halloween where I
>>>>>>>>>knew the neighborhood very well and next to no car traffic.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>When I started to use a cane, I did feel very self concious and that I
>>>>>>>>>stuck out rather than blending in as I did in the past.  I did lose
>>>>>>>>>enough vision to force the issue when a car almost ran me and my
>>>>>>>>>roommate over - her dog did a great traffic check!  I felt that I was
>>>>>>>>>now in more danger without the cane than with it.  With the cane,
>>>>>>>>>drivers can see that I had a vision problem.  So, I realized 
>>>>>>>>>that it was
>>>>>>>>>time to use the cane and it was good.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>AS far as being a bigger target for crime, yeah, this can 
>>>>>>>>>happen because
>>>>>>>>>the perp woould know the blind person could never identify 
>>>>>>>>>them in court
>>>>>>>>>or to a police officer.  I think we just have to be more cautious and
>>>>>>>>>aware of our surroundings than most sighted people do.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Prior to cane use, people would think I was an idiot if I made a
>>>>>>>>>crossing error because I couldn't see the signal - days before audible
>>>>>>>>>signals, folks!  With the cane, people didn't think this way anymore
>>>>>>>>>outright. They most likely thought I was now an idiot BECAUSE I was
>>>>>>>>>blind! LOL!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I think that the time someone needs to start using a cane and their
>>>>>>>>>resistance to it isn't too unlike when a person has to give up their
>>>>>>>>>drivers license.  The driver gives up freedom and mobility.  the new
>>>>>>>>>cane user gives up being able to melt into the rest of the 
>>>>>>>>>crowd without
>>>>>>>>>something to make him stick out like a sore thumb.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Using a cane is a decision that needs to be made by the person and
>>>>>>>>>sometimes a person needs a wake up call when they almost get killed.
>>>>>>>>>But I hope that most people don't wait to get killed before using a
>>>>>>>>>cane!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I did finally do cane travel lessons under blindfold and found it very
>>>>>>>>>beneficial to allowing my other senses to give me feedback 
>>>>>>>>>that my eyes
>>>>>>>>>couldn't give me.  Although I prefer using a dog, I still do 
>>>>>>>>>use my cane
>>>>>>>>>regularly - especialy when grocery shopping when I have to wrestle a
>>>>>>>>>cart on and off the bus and the dog gets in the way.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Merry Christmas and Happy Honakka every one!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Lyn and Landon
>>>>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
>>>>>>>>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>>>>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:34 AM
>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>I can. There are some people out there, believe it or not, who think
>>>>>>>>>>it's much preferable to be thought drunk, stoned, rude, 
>>>>>>>>>>slow-witted, or
>>>>>>>>>>any number of other things, so long as no one thinks that they are
>>>>>>>>>>blind. After all, if you're blind, you are necessarily less capable,
>>>>>>>>>>less self-reliant, less independent, less able, and 
>>>>>>>>>>(mostly) less of a
>>>>>>>>>>human being than if you are not. Better to be thought sighted and
>>>>>>>>>>[insert any impairing condition] than to be thought of as blind. Much
>>>>>>>>>>better.
>>>>>>>>>>--
>>>>>>>>>>Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>>>>>>>>>Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>On Dec 20, 2011, at 8:30 AM, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Can you guys explain?
>>>>>>>>>>>I wa talking to a guy who has RP. He said people think he's drunk. I
>>>>>>>>>>>told him a cane would solve that problem. He told me he 
>>>>>>>>>>>doesn't "need
>>>>>>>>>>>a cane", which I took to mean he's okay with people thinking he's
>>>>>>>>>>>wasted.
>>>>>>>>>>>Can somebody explain. I don't get it.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>>>>>>Behalf Of Tami Kinney
>>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 9:02 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Yeah, I did things kinda that way, too. So long as no one realized I
>>>>>>>>>>>was
>>>>>>>>>>>using it to compensate for tunnel vision and night 
>>>>>>>>>>>blindness. Which of
>>>>>>>>>>>course, I did not have because I did *not* have Retinitis 
>>>>>>>>>>>Pigmentosa.
>>>>>>>>>>>Denial, much, folks? /lol/
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Tami
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>On 12/19/2011 04:22 PM, Brenda wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>Interesting about using a tree branch. Growing up, we went camping
>>>>>>>>>>>>with
>>>>>>>>>>>>my Dad. The first thing I would do would be find a hiking stick. I
>>>>>>>>>>>>did
>>>>>>>>>>>>not use it like you would a white cane, but it was still very
>>>>>>>>>>>>helpful.
>>>>>>>>>>>>We would hike a lot and my stick would tell me the 
>>>>>>>>>>>>terrain. Thing is,
>>>>>>>>>>>>I
>>>>>>>>>>>>would never have been allowed to use it at home since I had 20/200
>>>>>>>>>>>>vision. Too bad. Brenda
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>On 12/19/2011 7:02 PM, Lea williams wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>the thing about using a branch is that the branch is 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>heavier. I did
>>>>>>>>>>>>>this once for a couple of weeks when I left my cane over 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>at a family
>>>>>>>>>>>>>house and they took that long to get it back to me. My arm hurt a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>lot
>>>>>>>>>>>>>cause a branch is heavier.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>It will work, but I would rather use a broom stick or something.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOL,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>the sight for that one. If you could, you could request a free one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>from the NFB, it is strait, so if this is possible, get 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>one of those
>>>>>>>>>>>>>to use as a back up. I rather have a folding one though. I have a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>small ID one that I use. I love it better than the heavy ones.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>On 12/19/11, Dan Weiner<dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Just cut a limb from a tree, it will be just as useful as the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>average
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cane,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>a cane being a stick after all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dan
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Behalf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Of Doug Parisian
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 5:18 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Perhaps a little better choice of friends and/or acquaintances
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>would
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>alleviate the problem?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I've had canes run over by cars, tripped over by some 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mental midget
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>other, and even attempted leadings by some unfortunate 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>grabbing my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>stick by
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>it's end but never stolen. Must be the company I keep.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Doug: Raising Cain when Able.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)"<REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Users'"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 1:53 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Maybe the person needed it? I met a family that was new to this
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>country, had a member that was blind and wanted to know where to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>get a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cane. I'm not sure they knew what a cane was until they saw me
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>using
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mine,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>thought "What a cool idea" and came over to talk to 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>me. If I'd had
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>another one on me, I'd have probably given them the one I was
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>using.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>They were hoping/expecting you could just buy one at any store.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>And, why not buy a few backup canes that meet your 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>needs? I treat
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>canes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>like shoes, I have one I use but I also have a few backups that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>meet my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>needs, a broken cane serves me no purpose so I don't hang onto
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>them,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>just
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>as I wouldn't hang onto shoes I couldn't wear. Ditto for a cane
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>that is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>too long, it'd be like hanging onto shoes that were too small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Since this seems to happen a fair bit to you, can you keep the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cane
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>say in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>something you hang onto like apurse? Or just keep the 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>strap around
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wrist so you are in contact with it when it isn't in use?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>What happened was wrong, I'm just not feeling the 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>outrage the list
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>seems
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>to be feeling here.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>On
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Behalf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Of Brittney N. Mejico
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 6:27 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Users
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>That is really awful who would do such a thing. Hope 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>you get a new
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cain
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>soon
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>From: Mardi Hadfield
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 12:59 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: [nagdu] Some one stole my cane !
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hi every one, Mardi here. I went Christmas shopping 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the other day
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>and some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>one stole my white cane.I keep it in a leather holster type of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>pouch
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>attached to my wheelchair when I am not using it. It 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>is quite snug
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>fitting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>so it is impossible for it to have fallen out.When I left the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>store and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>headed to the bus station,I reached for it so I could 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>get into the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wheelchair bay when I got on the bus. It was not their! I had it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>when I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>got
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>off the bus so it disappeared somewhere between the bus station
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>and the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>store.The only time I use it when I have my dog with 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>me is getting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>on or
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>off the bus.This is the second time someone has stolen 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>a cane from
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>This
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>is extremely annoying as I can not afford to buy 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>another one until
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>next
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>month.I have an old broken one and a very long NFB 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cane as a back
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>up.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Today
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>when I went out to pay a bill,I had to use the very 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Long NFB cane
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>as
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I did
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>not take the dog with me in Carla's car.This cane 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>would be fine if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>were
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>walking but is way to long for use with a 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wheelchair.It also has a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mettle
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>tip which gets caught in every crevice and pokes me in 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the face.I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>don't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>know why someone would want to steal a blind person's 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cane???????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Fake
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>service dogs, now fake blind people? What is happening to this
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>world.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mardi and Shaman