[blindkid] Stages of cane use?

[Merry-Noel Chamberlain]

Marie,
Has Jack ever had O&M without using his eyes; aka using sleepshades?  Perhaps I would try that.  If wearing shades is difficult for him - locate a dark room (a room that has no windows) and shut off the lights.  Sometimes I use a school gym.  I will play games in the gym such as Red-light, Green-Light with no light on.  We practice running in there, too.  This builds some confidance in the cane.  Also, tell Jack he needs to hold his head up when he walks because that is the proper posture.  By wearing sleep-shades he learns the cane lets him know things such as curbs and stairs.  Prase him (or the cane - smile) when you notice that his cane found something that his feet didn't find.  Walking faster helps quite a bit.
Merry-Noel

--- On Sun, 4/10/11, Marie <empwrn at bellsouth.net> wrote:


From: Marie <empwrn at bellsouth.net>
Subject: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
To: "Blindkid email" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 11:19 PM


I am getting very frustrated with Jack who is slowing down and using his feet rather than maintaining his rhythm and using his cane to find curbs/obstacles. Yet he insists on carrying his cane. Is this just a phase? Tips anyone?


Marie (mother of Jack, born May 2005)
Check out our blog at http://www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com for glimpses into our busy life with a boy who is busy growing and developing in his own way in his own time

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