[nagdu] a cane and dog discussion

[Shannon Dyer]

Hi, Julie.

As a child and young adult, I never liked my cane. I learned how to use it, and did so safely all through elementary and most of high school. However, when I was old enough to apply for a guide dog, I did. Due to some other factors that I won't go into here, a dog allows me to travel much more safely and confidently than I ever did with a cane. So, for me, a dog made me more independent than I ever was with a cane.

In terms of losing cane skills, I suppose it's possible. I don't often travel without my guide, but, if I have to for some reason, I haven't noticed any decline in my cane skills. I suppose this would depend on the person though.

Shannon and Caroline
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On Jun 20, 2011, at 2:46 AM, Julie McGinnity wrote:

> Hello everyone.
> 
> It is very late, so I hope I make sense as I pose the following
> discussion to you.  A friend and I are engaged in an interesting
> arguement.  We are talking about guide dog users and how much they use
> their canes and a few other things.  I'd just like to pose a few
> questions.  (Some of them may seem rather basic.)
> 
> Do you think that guide dog users are just as independent as cane
> users when it comes to travelling?
> 
> Do you think you lose cane skills if  you use a dog the majority of the time?
> 
> 
> Do you think that the majority of dog handlers are bad cane users?
> 
> I know these are really general questions, and if you can't answer
> them with direct answers, please, just your observations or
> experiences will suffice.  I'm just very curious about this.  I want
> to know what people think, and I don't really want to seem too
> invested in this or as though I am taking a side.  I'm pretty young
> and a relatively new guide dog user, so I know there are things I
> don't know and haven't seen yet.  I'm more interested in what you guys
> say.
> 
> Thanks.  Sorry if my late night/early morning ramblings make no sense.
> 
> -- 
> Julie McG
> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
> Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
> Eyes for the Blind
> 
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
> 
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