[nagdu] using canes while at guide dog schools

[Jennifer Piening]

Hi!  Sorry for changing the subject, but I am on digest mode and can't 
remember what the original subject was.  *smile*
      I disagree with the guide dog schools  taking our canes away while 
in training.  In my opinion, it's a way for the school to exercise 
control over us pitiful blind people who don't know how to think for 
ourselves.  it also puts us in a more vulnerable position.  When I don't 
have my cane in an unfamiliar environment, I walk more slowly, have to 
put my hands out in front of me and feel with my feet to make sure I 
won't fall over anything.  I also have to make sure that I don't get 
bulldozed by somebody who may be walking much faster and more 
aggressively without watching out for others.  I'm not trying to be 
cruel, but I know from not being able to use my cane while in a 
residential school that there are these types of people walking around. 
  They don't mean to bulldoze anybody; it just happens.  Why is it 
important for schools to put us in a vulnerable position anyway?  Do 
they get a rise out of watching us look vulnerable and unsure of 
ourselves?
      I can get around without using my cane, but feel so much more 
confident using it in an unfamiliar environment.  If they want to watch 
us get around without a cane, why can't they let us choose a familiar 
environment in which to do this?  Why put us at risk and take our 
independence away?
      GDB never made me get rid of my cane.  I would not have tolerated 
it.  Has this changed?  Which schools make us give up our canes?  I 
won't even consider going to one of these, because I strongly feel that 
the practice is an exercise in control and wouldn't do it out of 
principal even if I had to take multiple canes along and hide them. Hahaha!
      Just my opinion, however!  I just don't like the way in which some 
guide dog schools tell us what we can and cannot do.  We're adults after 
all!  Shouldn't we be allowed to decide for ourselves what does and does 
not work best for us?
      Sorry for the rant, and I truly mean no offense!  Have a great day!
      Jenny