[blindkid] School cane O/M issues

[Bonnie Lucas]

I have been blind all my life and until I joined the NFB, not that long ago 
and I am old, I used a folding cane. I found that I did not give "getting my 
cane out" the priority it needed. I found myself depending on others way 
more than I do now. when Aubrie, my daughter was little, she was not taking 
her cane with her as I thought she should. Not too long after I made the 
decision to always have a straight cane, she became more willing to have her 
cane with her. Other than closing the cane in the car door from time to 
time, I can truly say that having a long NFB cane has given me freedom. It 
is like what Joe cutter called it, "the third eye on the ground." 
Fortunately, as an eighth grader, Aubrie is completely willing to take her 
cane wherever  she goes and does not park it anywhere but the corner in our 
house. I have an NFB telescoping cane that only comes out when one of us 
breaks the cane we have. Looking back, I can remember my hand getting so 
tired when I would use one of the heavy, folding, short things of the past. 
Then, if I was going somewhere in a hurry, without fail, the thing would jab 
me in the chest causing great pain. Wow, where would I be without the NFB. 
Actually, Aubrie said to me not too long ago: "Mom, I'm so glad you joined 
the NFB!"
 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 3:20 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues


> Let me ask this, what is the reluctance  of using a collapsible or 
> foldable
> cane in instances where one would otherwise try to find a spot to hang, 
> lean
> or otherwise stow a cane until needed? New to blindness and oh so prefer 
> to
> be able to fold up my cane and place it under my seat or in my brief case 
> or
> bookbag until needed again.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bonnie Lucas
> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 2:27 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues
>
> auubrie and I place our canes in the corner behind the door as we seem to
> always live in houses with a good corner for that. There was a time when 
> my
> husband tried to get us to store it in the coat closet but we fought that
> one because closets can become disorganized, causing canes to get a bit
> lost. This way, when we walk out the door, the cane is oh, so close to the
> door. Aubrie mentioned to me last night when we were reading these posts
> that the only class where she parks her cane by the door is band.
> Bonnie
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joy Orton" <ortonsmom at gmail.com>
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues
>
>
>> About storing the cane:
>> We have a strip of velcro on the desk at school so that Ahbee's cane is
>> available at hand. If there is a fire drill(or the real thing), I want 
>> her
>> cane to be in her hand in a moment! She chooses to walk independently at
>> school as much as possible, and the teachers are with us on that.
>>
>> At home Ahbee stores her cane in the hall closet. Her dad and I have told
>> her, feel free to use your cane in the house! With two younger siblings,
>> things are going to get in the path, but she just walks more slowly in 
>> the
>> house.
>>
>> Joy Orton
>>
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
> ot.org
>
>
>
>