[nagdu] cane and dog?

[Gail]

I've used an SD along with a cane or forearm crutch for years, and it works
wonderfully for maintaining balance, and keeping yourself steady without
extra work for your dog. I would recommend a forearm crutch with a closed
cuff, rather than a regular drugstore cane, because there is less stress on
your wrist, and better balance. With a normal cane (which most people hold
backwards, btw, with the handle pointing back. Its supposed to be pointing
front, so that the handle is under the heel of your hand, and forms a
continuous line from arm/hand/cane for better stability), your wrist is
taking the brunt of the weight you put on it, kind of like suddenly making
it an ankle you are walking on. But the forearm crutch seems to spread out
that stress, and if you can get one with ergonomic grip, even better! 
 
This is the site mine came from: 
http://www.fetterman-crutches.com/crutchescanes/walkeasy495.html  Well, the
tips did, at least. We bought the WalkEasys elsewhere, and put the Tornado
tips on. This guy makes the worlds best crutch tips. All the ones I had used
before would come apart in a few months, but I've used these for two years,
with no signs of wear yet! Wonder if he will ever make tips for long travel
canes? I'm sure if he ever does, they would wear just as well! 
 
Gail 
 
 
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Tracy Carcione 
Date: 6/14/2010 11:44:13 AM 
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
Subject: Re: [nagdu] cane and dog? 
 
A couple of times in my life, I've needed to use a support cane for a week 
Or two. I got a sturdy one at the local drugstore. It has a rubber 
Non-slip tip, and it can be adjusted to various heights. I carried it in 
My right hand while working my dog on the left, as usual. Mostly I used 
It for balance, but I could also stick it out and wave it around like a 
White cane if I wanted to know why the dog stopped or whatever. It was 
Extremely helpful on stairs, too. 
I also got the dog to go slower than usual, but that was because I was 
Recovering from surgery and could not move real fast. 
HTH, and hope you're back to usual soon. 
Tracy 
 
 
> Okay so I am trying to work through what I hope is a temporary situation. 
> I had a bit of an accident resulting in a lot of eye pain, which is being 
> treated with pain medication that makes me seriously dizzy. Because of 
> other complications I have with various medications this is really the 
> best option. Hopefully this whole episode will be behind me in another 
> couple of weeks. In the meantime I need a plan to be able to more safely 
> move about. 
> 
> Monty is doing very well all things considered. He has not been trained 
> to compensate for my lack of orientation because of dizziness. He is 
> maintaining a straight line of travel even when I am pushing or pulling 
> inadvertently. He does get confused with me sometimes and will stop to 
> wait for clarification. I do not have the time or ability to add 
> additional training to his skill set to get through this hopefully 
> temporary situation. Monty is owner trained and I have no program to call 
> for suggestions. 
> 
> I was thinking of using a somewhat short white cane in my right hand to 
> help me feel more solid on my feet and to be able to check my line of 
> travel. I'm also having difficulty on stairs. I'm thinking it might be 
> better to heel Monty on stairs and use just the cane. The stairs issue is 
> mine and nothing to do with Monty. 
> 
> I am a bit desperate for any and all ideas. I have lost a week of work 
> throughout this mess. I need to attend a teen leadership camp starting 
> tomorrow afternoon. I really do not want to miss this. Even if I don't go 
> to the camp I need to get back to work and to other commitments. 
> 
> All suggestions are welcome. Feel free to write on or off list. 
> 
> Thanks bunches! 
> Julie 
> _______________________________________________ 
> nagdu mailing list 
> nagdu at nfbnet.org 
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu: 
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access
net 
> 
 
 
 
_______________________________________________ 
Nagdu mailing list 
nagdu at nfbnet.org 
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org 
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:

http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/deerskin%40oct.net