[nagdu] forgetting how to use white cane

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi:

I think there are a couple of factors that go into the comment "forgetting how to use a cane". The first is that many people getting their first dog are relatively newly blinded. From what I've seen this means that many of these people may have minimal cane skills and/or comfort getting around with a cane. (please no one come down on me I am making broad genearlizations). So this can lead to the secdon issue which is lack of, or a loss in, confidence using your cane.

I have noticed this since getting a dog. I too have used a cane for too many years to count and get around very well with said cane. However, after having a dog for only 8 months I find many things I do much easier with the dog. For example, I had to go pick up my girlfriend after a small surgery. We had decided to not bring the dog for this since the process was going to be complicated enough as it was. But when I was leaving Bogart at home and grabbing Aregon, my super long and strong cane, I realized that Bogart would have done many things better at the hospital setting. getting out of the cab he would have just found the main entrance without any problems, Probably could have found the elevator as well as I did but would have had me feeling more confident moving through the crowded hallways. On the other hand having to push my girfriends wheelchair while she gave me directions and helping her into the cab et al would have had Bogart being a bit in the way.

Last week, while Bogart was at the  groomers getting all prettied up I had some errands to do after hockey practice. I was using Jasper, my shorter guiding cane since it folds up smaller, and going to the bank. I do this route every week with bogart with my giant hockey bag on my back. I had no problmes walking confidently like I always have but I think it took a bit more mental work to remind myself how I worked with my cane.

At my school I asked them about using the cane when I walked my dog. They said that in no way could you use your cane and the dog together. This anoyed me since I think a dog needs to go for little walks just on a leash and having the chance to sniff and smell. So in my normal way of doing things, when I got home I started walking Bogart  with my cane if he was on leash and this was a "dog"walk time. When my trainer came for a visit I asked her why did they say that there was no way people could use a cane and their dog together since, obviusly I was. She said that some dogs are really freaked out by the cane. fair enough, but why don't you let the students try this at the school to see how their dog will react so we know what to expect when we come home. Seemed weird to me.Of course, I'm using my cane slightly different when walking Bogart. Mostly for edging with sweeps just to my right and in front of me. Bogart is walking on my left so it is usually easy to figure out what's going on there.

So if a school told me to give up my cane when I walked in then I'd have a bit of an issue. Hmm, I guess my school sort of did that since once we got the dogs we were walking around the small campus just with our dogs and it was many  days before they were in harness guiding us around. Oh well, it all worked out and once I got home I just figured out what worked best for the two of us. I really enjoy the times, like when I go to my monday night jazz jam, when I leave bogart at home an me and my trusted cane head out to the bar. It's a nice break to just hop on a bus, fold up my cane and put on my music without trying to organize my dog. :) However, I'd miss him if that happened too much. 

Gary