[stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel, and new troubles

Wed Jul 31 16:33:42 UTC 2013

It's an individual decision, and I know it seems so many *push* a cane,
but in my experience, it improves quality of life tremendously. Partial
or total, a tool like the cane shouldn't be viewed as a badge
perpetuating a wrong idea that we are *different* and incapable, but
it's a badge proving our independence and capability.

My hubby is a partial, and he swears by the cane, and as a total, using
the cane is my choice between sitting at home all day or living my life.
As Robert says, it's not perfect; nothing is, no one is, but it gives us
the ability to move about more freely and confidently once we learn how
to use it. As strange as it may sound, these long, slender canes really
help navigate the world safely for anyone who is legally blind.

My brother-in-law, who is also a partial, refuses to use a cane because
he doesn't want to be identified as *blind*, but instead he bumbles
around in unfamiliar territory, requires assistance when not with
someone; people don't want to provide help often because they have no
clue why he needs it. Even in familiar settings, he's growing less
confident when moving about. If he would use a cane, one, people would
have a better idea, not great, but better idea as to why he needs help
from time-to-time, and two, he would find movement need be less halting
and bumbling. This is one example, and I'm not trying to generalize or
insult, but I'm attempting to demonstrate that a cane isn't a stigma
builder but a tool displaying how capable and confident we can be when
walking and moving about.

It helps me find curbs and stairs, poles, people, pretty much any object
within the radius of its arc. Yes, it doesn't catch things like branches
or objects hanging above the cane's reach, but in my experience, I come
across low-hanging objects less than objects the cane will find. And so
it doesn't find low-hanging objects, but this isn't an excuse to forgo
it altogether. At least you're covered 95% of the time. And addressing
those low objects, eventually you adjust to nonvisual travel, and often
you learn to avoid low-hanging objects especially when in a familiar
place.

So sorry if preaching to the choir. I really do respect a person's
choice, but in my experience, a cane has improved people's lives whether
they have some vision or none at all. And you can always use a folding
or telescoping cane so if in a situation you wish to not use it, you can
fold it right up and place in a bag or purse, and when feeling it may be
handy, boom, right there to unfold.

Okay, off the soapbox, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert
Leslie Newman
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:28 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel,and
new troubles

April

Gee lady your zoo and kid experience --- I'm wondering if you use a
white cane? Not that it as a tool is perfect, or should I say, it is as
good as the person using it.) And I'm saying this with the intent of
being sensitive and respectful --- this blindness can at times --- or
should I turn that around and say, "limited vision at times is just not
enough, and can be dangerous to us and those around us." And so not
getting into more of all this --- question, do you use a cane? 
(We've all had to face and make that choice.)

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of April
Brown
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 1:05 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel, and new
troubles

Hi all,

     Last week was a vacation, of sorts.  We did go a few places.  

     Then, while looking straight ahead at the zoo, and not down at the
ground, I managed to step on a waist high child who had stepped in front
of me.  An upsetting day for me.  Luckily, the child's mother pulled her
away, and spoke to her, not me.  I was in shock.

      I also had sedation dentistry to fix a multitude of teeth.  My gum
are still sore.

       Yesterday and today, I focused on the final edits for Trails 2.
I also remembered the Clive Cussler Adventure Writer's Competition for
unpublished writers in October.  I can send in Trails 1 this year!  

       I have a few emails I need to respond to, and I plan to work on
them tomorrow.  I have to finish an assignment today. 

Have a great day!

April Brown

Writing dramatic adventure novels uncovering the myths we hide behind.

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