[blindkid] O/M School Cane Issues

[Albert J Rizzi]

Eric I like the way you think and speak. It is the blind quackery which has
me stymied.  I have only been blind, utterly and completely for just under 4
years and cannot believe that Lauran and her daughter are being put through
this. I am an educator as well as an administrator, at least I was before I
lost my eye sight, and if we do not take a stand now, we as blind people
will forever be looked at as less then and those people that other pity and
give charity to.  I wish I had a circle of friends like you out here on long
island, peace.

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 Eric Calhoun
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 6:01 PM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [blindkid] O/M School Cane Issues

I'd like to give a little perspective on the topic of o&m:

Many years ago, long before I heard of NFB and ACB, I was in second grade
at Victor Elementary School.  I was given a straight cane at age 7.  My
first cane was a "fishing" pole from camp, but, sadly, I gave that up.  I
would only use my straight cane for o&m lessons; the rest of the time, I'd
trail walls using the palm of my right hand or left hand.

As I got older, I realized that it might be a good idea to use a folding
cane.  So in 7th grade, it was suggested that Eric "have a cane of his
own."

I was oftenlooking for my cane, so in 1987, I started using a
"caneholder."  I recommend that Lauren and Doreen, your child should teach
your child use of a cane holder.  They can be found at any stores selling
supplies for the blind.  My cane holder is my godsend.  Without it,  I
would be terribly losing my cane!

Lauren, have you talked to mindy Lipsey, who lives close to you?  Mindy,
you and Lauren might be of help to each other.

On the subject of football games: i have my cane, parked at the right
side of my person.  It does not go under the bleachers, period.  My North
Torrance High Saxons appreciate my support of all football games.

No child should be without a cane.  When abschool district refuses to
have a child learn O&M, they are breaking the law, period, end of
discussion.  The same goes when a parent, such as Lauren, wants her child
to take her cane everywhere she goes.  Lauren, put this language in the
I.E.P., and mandate it, period, exclamation point, end of sentence.  It is
not your child's teacher's place, or mobility tearcher's place, as to what
Lauren does with her cane.  Don't be fooled by "blind" quackery; it's out
there!

Eric
Happy Halloween from Eric in Los Angeles!