[NFBMT] Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Awareness Day: Teach the World About What the White Cane Means to Blind People

[Laurie]

Sheila:  

I was thinking why don’t you contact  one of the  NFB training centers and ask them for some advice?  If I remember correctly, they handle the different situations here and there. 

Laurie 

> On Oct 4, 2018, at 6:30 PM, Bruce&Joy Breslauer via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> It wouldn't be easy, but you'd have to use one hand, preferably the right
> hand, for the cane, and just hold the walker with one hand.  You would have
> to use the cane out in front of the walker to detect changes in elevation or
> obstacles.  I don't even know if that is possible, but that is what common
> sense would dictate to me.  Maybe you would need an extra-long cane.  Joy
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sheila via NFBMT
> Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2018 10:42 AM
> To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sheila <sheila.leigland at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Awareness Day: Teach
> the World About What the White Cane Means to Blind People
> 
> Hi rik Ii'm trying to figure out how to enhance my mobility while using a
> walker. This is interesting and not easy. I'm tired of trying to figure out
> how not to run in to walls and how to figure out when to turn in hallways.
> If you have any ideas, contact me. I do agree that if we walk as well as talk
> the talk, our message will be stronger.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Rik James via NFBMT
> Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2018 2:27 PM
> To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Rik James <rixmix2009 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Awareness Day:
> Teach the World About What the White Cane Means to Blind People
> 
> Let's discuss this.
> What does the White Cane mean, I mean what does it mean now.
> Does it mean anything different from when the first awareness day came about?
> 
> What is the progress?
> Is there a way to measure it?
> Is it symbolic more  than actual?
> 
> When people in my town see it, I can see changes. Some good, and some very
> much less so.
> In some cases, very real, and hard to deny.  In the years when there was a
> summer program in Bozeman, the awareness was much much more prevalent.
> 
> Now in some ways I am only talking about the cane here. How did folks
> understand what it meant to see someone using it.
> Of course the bigger issue is to what level does knowing about the cane to
> understanding anything about blindness, vision loss, and the assumptions,
> mystical mythifications, and so on.
> 
> In terms of cane travel, I do not think I see any evidence at all in my
> community that there is a lot for people to become aware of, since few seem
> to be out there hoofing it. In some ways, safety concerns, do in fact, enter
> into the equation, due to attention distracted drivers, and so on.
> 
> Every truth has its secrets. Every secret has its own truth. Which one is
> believed the more?
> The Federation philosophy, I think, is that we have to create a truth, in
> many ways, to combat the mythology, and to override the lowered expectations.
> At the same time, we have to actually walk, as well as talk.  If we only
> talk, well we are not quite making our case as convincingly as we might and
> could.
> 
> This is just a midday rant, my friends.
> I want to hear from you.
> Discuss.
> What does it mean today, this long white cane?
> 
> It is October. Meet the blind month. Okay. Here I am. Talk to me.
> Next Thursday it is time for another phone conference. I may hear from some
> of you at-large members at that point. But remember, also, we have our guest,
> Peggy Chong, who will share her research, what she has learned of some early
> history of the Blind in Montana.
> 
> Go Rockies!
> Go Indians!
> Go baseball on the radio. The only way to enjoy America's great game, is on
> the radio!
> Last night's 13-inning Wild Card game, it got me pumped up. I may have even
> waved my cane today at a few baseball fans. But how would they know it was
> about baseball?
> 
> At summer school, we always had a night with the All-Star game. Fond memories
> of those nights.
> 
> Rik
> 
> 
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> 
> 
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