[Ohio-talk] cane travel instruction

[Everett Gavel]

Hi Barb, and all,

I love hearing of people searching out services on
their own. Especially seniors not giving into any silly
embarrassment of the long white cane! ;-)

As for ideas, first, I don't know where Logan is, so
don't know if I could get a ride there to offer any
help or tips. You say Lancaster & "Southeast." My
geography anymore is poor. I'm thinking Lancaster is
south of Canton, down near New Philadelphia somewhere,
but am not sure. But if so, someone from these handful
of Northeast Ohio chapters could hopefully get down to
a Southeast area to help. Here's hoping, anyway, right?


I do remember one possible helpful idea. I'm sending
this back through to the list, Barb, as well as to you
as you asked. Because hopefully someone can give a lead
for this idea. Not sure if this man currently in the
nursing home is online, but a while back I remember
hearing of some online (?) video training materials
being used for teaching O&M. Not sure how well that
goes over, as I have yet to experience it myself. But,
I can envision such training offering help to a point,
definitely.  I'll ask around. I"m thinking the O&M
video training was associated with the AER, but may be
wrong. 


Strive On--and Enjoy Orlando!
Everett


------------------------------ 
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:24:10 -0400
From: "Barb Fohl" <barbfohl at pobox.com>
Subject: [Ohio-talk] cane travel instruction

I received a call from Angie, social worker at Arcadia
Acres Nursing Home in Logan, Ohio.  A gentleman living
there would like cane travel instruction and has tried
BSVI and MRDD, as well as the Southeast Sight Center in
Lancaster.  Susan from the Sight Center has provided
him with orientation to the building and the staff with
in service training, but she doesn't know cane
instruction.

He was blinded because of a stroke but does not have
any paralysis.  When I asked Angie if he just wanted to
learn to use a cane to enhance his abilities to get
around the building, she said that the plan is for him
to go home.  I asked if she thought he wanted to learn
to travel safely outside, to cross streets, Etc., and
she said she didn't know, but she thought that might be
a possibility.

I told her I didn't have any other ideas, but that I
would ask my friends, and that I would sent our
pamphlet "The Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane".
Please contact me off line at the following email
address:  barbfohl at pobox.com if you live near Logan and
think you could be helpful, or give me ideas I may
share with Angie that I didn't think of.-Barb