[nagdu] using canes while at guide dog schools

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Hi Jenny,
I wasn't aware that some schools take away folks' canes upon arrival to 
guide dog school.  I NEVER had this happen in all my dog using years - sinse 
1973.  They just told us to put the cane away in our drawer and not use it. 
I think nowadays, people can use their cane before we get the dogs.  At 
least that's how it is at TSE.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jennifer Piening" <pienings at comcast.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 4:27 AM
Subject: [nagdu] using canes while at guide dog schools


> 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
>
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