[NAGDU] Questions for low-vision people

[Tracy Carcione]

I am actually OK with whatever decision my husband makes, cane or dog. 
What I am not OK with is getting another call saying he's on the way to
the ER because ...  I know the world is not a totally safe place, but I
also know there are things that a person can do to make it safer.  I am
also not OK with him deciding to just stay home and go nowhere.  I don't
think he will choose that, but, if he does, I'm giving him a kick in the
butt, as Julie puts it.
I know he has to make his own choices in his own time, but it's easy to
drift along with the status quo, too.  I think I will try to convince him
to get some professional lessons.  Won't hurt; might help.  We both know
that using a cane is not rocket science, and my basic lessons have been OK
so far, but maybe a pro can point out subtleties, or just keep reminding
him to get that cane out in front.

I am finding these answers both useful and interesting, and hope others
will chime in.
Tracy

> Hi Tracy and All,
> I think this is a great couple of questions, and I am glad you have
> started
> the discussion.
> When I was a kid someone from TSE came and visited with us in a school
> assembly about getting dogs. I had a teacher from the agency who used a
> dog,
> too, and I was impressed, and my dad wanted to donate some dogs to the
> Seeing Eye for them to train as guides for folks. When I graduated from
> high
> school here in Iowa though and attended the Iowa Orientation Center, I saw
> that people were getting along famously with canes, and I soon joined
> their
> ranks. The climate here wasn't such that you would entertain getting a dog
> much, though this has changed. I was pleased and proud to use a cane, and
> I
> did not like the hype that seemed to go with having a dog.
> After I moved to Kansas I began having some pain in my right hand. I was
> walking a lot. My husband at the time suggested that I should get a dog,
> and
> I told him that people would think I was weird and that I would stand out
> too much. He asked me if I didn't think that was the case with the cane,
> and
> I had to admit he was right. I got a dog, but I have never completely
> adjusted to the hype, so when I decided to stop using a dog, I thought it
> would be a relief. However, hype remains, but this hype is of a different
> nature. First off, the minute I go crooked in some places, people will
> become anxious that I am going to run into something. Second, either I was
> a
> lot better with a cane back in the day than I am now, or I have totally
> lost
> sight of how that really worked for me. I think maybe it was the former,
> but
> I don't have near the confidence I used to have with a cane, and I am way
> more comfortable with the dog. I think I had to come to this on my own
> with
> regard to my current situation. No one could really talk me into it. My
> ex-husband did when I decided to get my first one, but I had just had a
> little dog before that and had to euphanize her, and I loved having a dog.
> Also, I was concerned that my hand wasn't going to allow me to continue
> playing very long, and I was a musician. It is each person's personal
> decision, and I think Julie nailed it when she suggested that, Tracy, your
> husband would need to come to it in his own time. He will probably slow
> down
> if he has some accidents before it gets serious, or he may decide to get a
> dog. He may still be warring with himself about the implications of losing
> more sight. Be patient, give him time, and breathe.
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
>
>
>
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