[nagdu] Navigating without a cane

[Jennifer Piening]

Hi!  I have no problem with not using a cane when I have been given a 
dog at a school.  That seems perfectly reasonable to me.  When you go to 
an NFB training center, you know beforehand that you are expected to use 
a cane.  You are not expected to go around without using either.
      I have such a strong opinion about this issue, because for a lot 
of my life, people have been telling me to put away my cane, or talking 
about how I really don't need to use my cane here, or that it seems like 
I know the area well enough not to use my cane and on and on and on... 
It sounds to me as if I am somehow an inferior traveler because I choose 
to use my cane when people make comments about not needing to use it. 
what about wanting/choosing to use my cane?  Shouldn't it be a choice 
that I make for myself?  I find it embarrassing to travel in unfamiliar 
places or places with a lot of other people without using my cane.  I 
feel like a bumbling fool.  I have no problem with others deciding to 
travel in whichever way they prefer.  I think the guide dog schools 
should allow us to choose as well, until we get our dog.
      Jenny