[nagdu] nagdu Digest, Vol 74, Issue 31
holly mcknight
hollyandpolly at hotmail.com
Thu May 26 04:01:39 UTC 2011
Hello to the person talking about having a good amount of remaining vision. I am a dog user, and have been for nearly eighteen years. I only have central vision and what I have is pretty good. I am from Texas and went to public school all the way. VI teachers thought foolishly that I had too much vision to be taught Braille, and I cane was out of the question. That changed when I was in sixth grade and a teacher yelled at me for asking another student to help me get around. In seventh grade I started learning to use a cane and I had also not really been taught Braille until my met someone from NFB and she was told that I must learn Braille. Needless to say it really helped. If you are considered legally blind you should qualify to train with a dog, if that is something to do. I suggest this training because of you will not always have vision, a dog may help with the transition. Only about five percent of the blind population is totally blind. If you choose to train with a dog and you will lose vision, during your training, you may want to tell the school about this and they should allow you to do at least some of your training under blindfold. This may scare you at first, especially if you are used to having some vision, but it is a huge confidence booster and may allow youto read the signals that your dog provides better. You can also try this with a cane. I am not familiar with the mobility program you are taking about, so I would love to know more. Also, a talking GPS, such a Trecker or Breeze, may help. It is important though for you not to forget to listen to your environment Some guide dog schools conduct workshops for people who are considering dog training. Sometimes these workshops include a chance to work with a live dog. It is very true that the faster you walk the straighter you will walk. If you would like to talk about this more, I am open for that. My name is Holly McKnight, if you did not know that. Sorry for not addressing you by name and I hope to change that. My cell number is 817-360-3993. Hope to hear from you soon.
> From: nagdu-request at nfbnet.org
> Subject: nagdu Digest, Vol 74, Issue 31
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 12:00:07 -0500
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: online Pet supplies (Melissa Green)
> 2. Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Tracy Carcione)
> 3. Re: online Pet supplies (Tamara Smith-Kinney)
> 4. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Brenda)
> 5. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> (PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC))
> 6. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Buddy Brannan)
> 7. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Tracy Carcione)
> 8. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Julie J)
> 9. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (Brenda)
> 10. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program (GARY STEEVES)
> 11. Re: Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> (PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC))
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 22:46:24 -0600
> From: "Melissa Green" <graduate56 at juno.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> Message-ID: <BCC3C1071A874F7ABEF90FC5E29B7E43 at melissa>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> If we can get it all worked out. Then you will see many of us in the fall.
>
> Blessings!
> Sincerely,
> Melissa Green
> When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete,
> everybody will respect you
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "B Avila Guerrero" <guerrero.avila at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:03 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
>
>
> > How wonderful, I am so happy for you.
> > Stay in touch and hopefully I will see you in the fall when you come to
> > mentor the students at CSDB.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> > Of Melissa Green
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 1:24 AM
> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> >
> > Bertha.
> > I got a female yellow Lab from GDF.
> > She is doing really well. She is adjusting to Colorado and having a cat
> > and
> > a dog in the house. The cat is slowly getting used to having two dogs in
> > the house.
> > Marty and I were a little nervous about her and Marty's dog meeting on
> > last
> > friday night when I came home. But they have been getting along very
> > well.
> > There wasn't any barking, just a lot of tail wags. Yay!
> > I believe that it will all just take some time and patience from marty and
> > I.
> > Blessings!
> > Sincerely,
> > Melissa Green
> > When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete,
> > everybody will respect you
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "B Avila Guerrero" <guerrero.avila at sbcglobal.net>
> > To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 12:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> >
> >
> >> Melissa, thank You. What kind of a dog did you get and how are things
> >> going?
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >> Behalf
> >> Of Melissa Green
> >> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 9:28 PM
> >> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> >> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> >>
> >> Good luck too you and your future dog guide .
> >>
> >> Blessings!
> >> Sincerely,
> >> Melissa Green
> >> When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete,
> >> everybody will respect you
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "B Avila Guerrero" <guerrero.avila at sbcglobal.net>
> >> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> >> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 8:38 PM
> >> Subject: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> >>
> >>
> >>> Hello all,
> >>>
> >>> Getting ready to go to TSE this coming Saturday. This will be my first
> >>> Dog
> >>> and I want to be sure I am ready.
> >>>
> >>> Can anyone recommend an online pet supply store?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks
> >>>
> >>> Bertha
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> B Avila Guerrero
> >>>
> >>> of Texas/Colorado
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 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/graduate56%40juno.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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/guerrero.avila%40sbcg
> >> lobal.net
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> nagdu mailing list
> >> nagdu at nfbnet.org
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> >> nagdu:
> >>
> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/graduate56%40juno.com
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nagdu mailing list
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> > nagdu:
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> > lobal.net
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nagdu mailing list
> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
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> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 08:26:10 -0400
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <7a282f36406f9945f7ec05b56fb44c85.squirrel at mail.panix.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Hi Brenda.
> Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from your
> state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> about other options.
> Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> Tracy
> > I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> > and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> > navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> > the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> > the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> > going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> > automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >
> > Brenda
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 07:02:35 -0700
> From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
> Message-ID: <0DBF9B9AA9C0416E8A449004A3C12B6B at tamidesktop>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Congratulations, and have a great time! I'm looking forward to hearing
> about your experience and your new pup. /smile/
>
> Tami Smith-Kinney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of B Avila Guerrero
> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 10:55 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
>
> Thank You, I leave Saturday and I am very excited.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J
> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 6:19 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
>
> Bertha,
>
> Best of luck with the new dog!
>
> I really like King Wholesale for dog supplies.
> http://www.kingwholesale.com/
>
> They have very good prices. You do not need to purchase more than one of
> anything to get those great prices! The toys I've priced at Pets Mart have
> been double what I can order them at King Wholesale. The site is also very
> easy to navigate with JAWS.
>
> For ordering food I have just recently tried:
> http://www.petflow.com/
> Their prices are a bit more than Pet Food Direct but their shipping is
> cheap. the total price to my door was cheaper than anywhere else I could
> find.
>
> HTH
> Julie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "B Avila Guerrero" <guerrero.avila at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 9:38 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] online Pet supplies
>
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > Getting ready to go to TSE this coming Saturday. This will be my first Dog
> > and I want to be sure I am ready.
> >
> > Can anyone recommend an online pet supply store?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Bertha
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > B Avila Guerrero
> >
> > of Texas/Colorado
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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/julielj%40neb.rr.com
> >
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/guerrero.avila%40sbcg
> lobal.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/tamara.8024%40comcast
> .net
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 10:27:57 -0400
> From: Brenda <bjnite at windstream.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <4DDD11ED.1090700 at windstream.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Hi Tracy
>
> Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> cane and some day a guide dog.
>
> I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> leave the rest.
>
> At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> if I was just an afterthought.
> There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
>
> Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
>
> I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> were as high partials.
>
> I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> agree with me.
>
> I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> from leader's AMP program.
>
> Brenda
>
>
> Brenda
>
>
>
> On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> > Hi Brenda.
> > Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from your
> > state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> > you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> > sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> > assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> > about other options.
> > Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> > Tracy
> >> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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/bjnite%40windstream.net
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 14:32:52 +0000
> From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <AAE38548E198F64B8E345439B68CCC78125E163B at TSEAMB02>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Brenda,
> I'd suggest you go witha longer cane, you will pick up more that way. Get one as tall as you are.
> Also, try a fat tip like a marshmellow.
> You don't want a shorter cane.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brenda
> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 10:28 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
>
> Hi Tracy
>
> Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> cane and some day a guide dog.
>
> I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> leave the rest.
>
> At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> if I was just an afterthought.
> There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
>
> Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
>
> I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> were as high partials.
>
> I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> agree with me.
>
> I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> from leader's AMP program.
>
> Brenda
>
>
> Brenda
>
>
>
> On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> > Hi Brenda.
> > Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from your
> > state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> > you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> > sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> > assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> > about other options.
> > Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> > Tracy
> >> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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/bjnite%40windstream.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/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:09:33 -0400
> From: Buddy Brannan <buddy at brannan.name>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <90E56033-C4F4-431D-84AB-5F99C326073D at brannan.name>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Agree with Rebecca. A longer can is probably better. Mine is up to my nose. I'd say at least to your chin. I am a fan of the NFB type canes with the metal glide tips. My wife, on the other hand, prefers the rolling ball tip on a folding Ambutech cane.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>
>
>
> On May 25, 2011, at 10:32 AM, PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC) wrote:
>
> > Brenda,
> > I'd suggest you go witha longer cane, you will pick up more that way. Get one as tall as you are.
> > Also, try a fat tip like a marshmellow.
> > You don't want a shorter cane.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brenda
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 10:28 AM
> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> >
> > Hi Tracy
> >
> > Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> > minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> > to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> > have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> > am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> > cane and some day a guide dog.
> >
> > I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> > streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> > did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> > pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> > catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> > experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> > have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> > allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> > the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> > and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> > leave the rest.
> >
> > At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> > with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> > too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> > balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> > this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> > usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> > guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> > introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> > the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> > if I was just an afterthought.
> > There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> > If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> > to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
> >
> > Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> > would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> > have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> > way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> > signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
> >
> > I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> > often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> > all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> > leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> > opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> > limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> > were as high partials.
> >
> > I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> > training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> > but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> > partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> > walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> > a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> > think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> > agree with me.
> >
> > I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> > got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> > before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> > from leader's AMP program.
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> >
> > On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> >> Hi Brenda.
> >> Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from your
> >> state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> >> you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> >> sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> >> assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> >> about other options.
> >> Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> >> Tracy
> >>> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >>> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >>> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >>> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >>> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >>> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >>> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>>
> >>> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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/bjnite%40windstream.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/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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/buddy%40brannan.name
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:24:40 -0400
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <3e2255da8c147af2089b3aa826234062.squirrel at mail.panix.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Hi Brenda.
> Thanks for the info on the Leader program. Glad it was useful. You've
> got the right idea--take what you can use and let the rest slide. Though
> some of what you don't need now you might want later.
> My husband has low vision, gradually getting worse. But even when it was
> better, he found a cane useful. He could use it to check out things he
> wasn't sure about, and the cane lets people know he can't see well.
> Sometimes they treat him like an idiot because he's blind, but on the
> other hand they don't expect him to read signs and stuff. They understand
> better why he's asking for help.
>
> I personally like a cane that comes up to about my nose. It gives me
> sufficient stopping time. I have an NFB carbon fiber cane I like pretty
> well. It's light, and the tip is wide enough not to get caught on cracks
> and such. Some people like the even wider marshmallow tip.
> My husband likes a heavy aluminum cane, with a skinny tip. He tends to
> bang his cane around a lot, and the heavy one he likes can stand up to it.
> Anyway, if you can get access to a few kinds of canes, you can experiment
> and see what you like best.
> I'm glad to hear things are coming along for you.
> Tracy
>
> > Hi Tracy
> >
> > Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> > minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> > to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> > have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> > am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> > cane and some day a guide dog.
> >
> > I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> > streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> > did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> > pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> > catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> > experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> > have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> > allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> > the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> > and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> > leave the rest.
> >
> > At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> > with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> > too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> > balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> > this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> > usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> > guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> > introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> > the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> > if I was just an afterthought.
> > There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> > If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> > to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
> >
> > Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> > would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> > have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> > way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> > signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
> >
> > I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> > often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> > all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> > leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> > opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> > limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> > were as high partials.
> >
> > I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> > training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> > but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> > partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> > walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> > a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> > think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> > agree with me.
> >
> > I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> > got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> > before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> > from leader's AMP program.
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> >
> > On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> >> Hi Brenda.
> >> Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from
> >> your
> >> state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> >> you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> >> sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> >> assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> >> about other options.
> >> Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> >> Tracy
> >>> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >>> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >>> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >>> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >>> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >>> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >>> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>>
> >>> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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/bjnite%40windstream.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/carcione%40access.net
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 10:26:49 -0500
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <004b01cc1af0$2aef70b0$0201a8c0 at your07cc84feb2>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
>
> Interesting, thank you for sharing!
>
> I've also had an experience with a test guide dog that was way too slow and
> too light of a pull for me. It is hard to get a good idea of what a guide
> is like when you are trying out a guide that is pretty far from what you are
> comfortable with. The trainer did immediately pick up on that, which
> means that if you do decide to get a guide, another trainer will probably
> also figure out what pace and pull you prefer pretty easily.
>
> I agree with Rebecca that a longer cane will be better. In my experience
> how much it catches depends on a couple of things in your control. first
> the angle of the cane to the ground. shorter canes have more of an angle
> and are going to get caught more. A longer cane will have less of an angle
> when it touches the ground and will tend to get caught less. the other
> thing is to pick up the cane a bit more in the center of your arc. One to
> two inches is optimum, more than that and you'll miss things that will catch
> your toes, less and your cane will get caught on everything. There are
> other factors like the condition of the sidewalk and weather conditions that
> can affect ease of travel, but you can't do a whole lot about those! *smile*
> the instructor is right, it does take practice.
>
> I'm not sure what to think about the totally blind folks being taken out for
> practice first. Coincidence? I don't know. I think it's an unfortunate
> misconception that totally blind folks are somehow in need of more
> assistance or training or whatever. I think if you are accepted into the
> program that should be enough to show that you need the training they are
> offering.
>
> JMO
> Julie
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 12:49:54 -0400
> From: Brenda <bjnite at windstream.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <4DDD3332.90300 at windstream.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> I found holding my 52 inch ultralight Ambutech cane with the metal glide
> tip a few inches from the top helped avoid catching so that is why I
> thought I'd try a shorter cane. My cane comes up to where my arm and
> shoulder connect. I really do not want anything longer.I had a
> telescoping NFB carbon fibor cane, but I got water where the sections
> joined, it locked and we broke it trying to unjam it. I loved that
> cane, it was so light I could feel everything, but it tended to collapse
> when travelling. My current cane is a little heavier but not as bad as
> an aluminum cane. nonetheless it is heavy enough to be annoying. At
> Leader they wanted me to keep my cane low to the ground in a sweeping
> motion. This worked until there was the slightest bit of texture or
> uneven sidewalks which I encounter a lot. I like to tap my cane to get
> sound input and determine depth. Tapping is harder on my wrist except
> for when I used my NFB telescopic.I know the NFB has a rigid cane, but
> that is not convenient for when stopping to eat etc.Based on all the
> advice, I may keep my 52 inch and not go shorter.
>
> Well, cane travel is a prerequesite to getting a guide dog, but I don't
> want to annoy people by talking too much about it on this list. I am
> learning a lot from all you nice people.
>
> Brenda
>
>
>
> On 5/25/2011 11:24 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> > Hi Brenda.
> > Thanks for the info on the Leader program. Glad it was useful. You've
> > got the right idea--take what you can use and let the rest slide. Though
> > some of what you don't need now you might want later.
> > My husband has low vision, gradually getting worse. But even when it was
> > better, he found a cane useful. He could use it to check out things he
> > wasn't sure about, and the cane lets people know he can't see well.
> > Sometimes they treat him like an idiot because he's blind, but on the
> > other hand they don't expect him to read signs and stuff. They understand
> > better why he's asking for help.
> >
> > I personally like a cane that comes up to about my nose. It gives me
> > sufficient stopping time. I have an NFB carbon fiber cane I like pretty
> > well. It's light, and the tip is wide enough not to get caught on cracks
> > and such. Some people like the even wider marshmallow tip.
> > My husband likes a heavy aluminum cane, with a skinny tip. He tends to
> > bang his cane around a lot, and the heavy one he likes can stand up to it.
> > Anyway, if you can get access to a few kinds of canes, you can experiment
> > and see what you like best.
> > I'm glad to hear things are coming along for you.
> > Tracy
> >
> >> Hi Tracy
> >>
> >> Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> >> minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> >> to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> >> have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> >> am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> >> cane and some day a guide dog.
> >>
> >> I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> >> streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> >> did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> >> pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> >> catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> >> experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> >> have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> >> allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> >> the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> >> and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> >> leave the rest.
> >>
> >> At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> >> with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> >> too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> >> balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> >> this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> >> usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> >> guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> >> introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> >> the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> >> if I was just an afterthought.
> >> There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> >> If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> >> to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
> >>
> >> Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> >> would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> >> have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> >> way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> >> signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
> >>
> >> I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> >> often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> >> all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> >> leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> >> opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> >> limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> >> were as high partials.
> >>
> >> I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> >> training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> >> but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> >> partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> >> walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> >> a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> >> think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> >> agree with me.
> >>
> >> I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> >> got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> >> before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> >> from leader's AMP program.
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> >>> Hi Brenda.
> >>> Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from
> >>> your
> >>> state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> >>> you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> >>> sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> >>> assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> >>> about other options.
> >>> Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> >>> Tracy
> >>>> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >>>> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >>>> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >>>> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >>>> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >>>> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >>>> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>>>
> >>>> Brenda
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 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/bjnite%40windstream.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/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/bjnite%40windstream.net
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 09:56:53 -0700
> From: GARY STEEVES <rainshadowmusic at shaw.ca>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <fb880dd13cde9.4ddcd265 at shaw.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hello Brenda:
>
> I'm with many of the others and use a pretty long cane. I'm using an ambutek carbon fibre cane with a disc roller end. This is more like a small wheel. Much bigger than the marshmillow tip but it rolls over most things and doesn't get caught. It is for a person who is more of a roller than a tapper though since it adds weight to the end of the cane. I also have a guide cane which is shorter and llighter that I use with sighted guide or when I'm know I'm going to be in doors mostly. I have an id cane that I'd often use with sighted guide especially when travelling when I want to be able to get rid of it once I'm done using it in the places where it is important, or useful, that people know I'm blind (check in, security, boarding, coffee line ups, etc). For kicks I also have a black guide cane that I use for my dress up events where I know that I'm going to be mostly indoors and just looking cool (but can still find the bathroom and bar by myself :) On the dress up cane I have a pencil tip, on the guiding cane I use a mushroom tip. Does anyone else name their canes? All the above canes have names and are a bit jealous of Bogart. :)
>
> Anyway, I think for out door mobility a long cane is the best with some sort of roler tip so you can maintain contact with the ground when you want. When I had more sight I mostly did tapping from side to side but as my sight has decreased I use a hybrid of tapping and rolling depending on the terrain. I feel the cane is a tool and as you can see I have different tools for different jobs and have learned, by trial and error, which length of cane works best for me. I really haven't accessed any O&M training since I was a child. I know I have some bad techniques but then again I get around just fine so what I've developed has obviously worked for me.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Gary
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brenda <bjnite at windstream.net>
> Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 7:29 am
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>
> > Hi Tracy
> >
> > Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because
> > of the minimal mobility training my State provided. now is
> > a good time for me to get my mobility down solid. I do
> > feel it is very hard for me as I have some remaining vision. It
> > was hard to ask for help because I often am treated like I don't
> > need it even though I really do benefit from a cane and some day
> > a guide dog.
> >
> > I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice
> > crossing busy streets, and I got that. I still catch my
> > cane a lot, and I felt they did not address that well - they
> > just said it takes time. I was told to pay more attention
> > to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it catches all
> > the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane
> > and experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I
> > currently have. My mobility instructor from my state was
> > good, he just was not allotted funds/time to give me much
> > training. I am now combining all the tips from the state-
> > supplied instructor and leader to travel safely and
> > efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you
> > want and leave the rest.
> >
> > At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was
> > okay. I walked with a small dog and the trainer said right
> > away the harness handle was too short
> > and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> > balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was
> > hard with this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think
> > I had too much usuable vision for a dog. It was a
> > good experience and I will get a guide when my pet passes
> > on. I realize this was just a brief introduction to using
> > a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all the
> > totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did
> > wonder if I was just an afterthought.
> > There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your
> > guide. If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to
> > allow me
> > to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
> >
> > Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the
> > Kapten. This device would have been helpful for me all my
> > life as a high partial. I still have nightmares of being
> > lost and wondering around trying to find my way. My trips
> > were always longer because i could not read street signs.
> > The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
> >
> > I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials
> > who are often left out because they are expected to be able to
> > see. Growing up, all the attention, information etc went
> > to blind students/campers, etc., leaving high partials in the
> > dark. Wwe were never given the opportunities and struggled
> > to live in the sighted world with very limited vision and no
> > adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we were as high
> > partials.
> > I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> > training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a
> > straight line, but I think somehow it is because I use my
> > cane. When i was a high partial someone said I walked
> > crooked lines but now that I use a cane I walk straighter.
> > I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know a
> > cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the
> > instructors think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog
> > school I choose will agree with me.
> >
> > I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us
> > that never got the chance of having mobility training which of
> > course you need before you can get a guide dog. I think
> > many low partials could benefit from leader's AMP program.
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> > Brenda
> >
> >
> >
> > On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> > >Hi Brenda.
> > >Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training
> > from your
> > >state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did
> > you get what
> > >you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your
> > impressions, and I'm
> > >sure others would, too. There are too many people who
> > can't get the
> > >assistance they should from their states, and it would be good
> > to know
> > >about other options.
> > >Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> > >Tracy
> > >>I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this
> > early spring
> > >>and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put
> > it in free
> > >>navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I
> > never knew
> > >>the names of before. They recommend you update it via
> > the internet and
> > >>the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I
> > suppose if I was
> > >>going somewhere new I would try to figure that out.
> > There is also an
> > >>automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> > >>
> > >>Brenda
> > >
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >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/bjnite%40windstream.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/rainshadowmusic%40shaw.ca
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 16:57:01 +0000
> From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
> Message-ID: <AAE38548E198F64B8E345439B68CCC78125E17F0 at TSEAMB02>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> You may want to try the titanium folding canes from Ambutek. I have a bunch and love them. They don't telescope and are very lightweight. I noticed it instantly and am surprised at how heavy my old canes feel.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brenda
> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 12:50 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Leader's Accelerated mobility program
>
> I found holding my 52 inch ultralight Ambutech cane with the metal glide
> tip a few inches from the top helped avoid catching so that is why I
> thought I'd try a shorter cane. My cane comes up to where my arm and
> shoulder connect. I really do not want anything longer.I had a
> telescoping NFB carbon fibor cane, but I got water where the sections
> joined, it locked and we broke it trying to unjam it. I loved that
> cane, it was so light I could feel everything, but it tended to collapse
> when travelling. My current cane is a little heavier but not as bad as
> an aluminum cane. nonetheless it is heavy enough to be annoying. At
> Leader they wanted me to keep my cane low to the ground in a sweeping
> motion. This worked until there was the slightest bit of texture or
> uneven sidewalks which I encounter a lot. I like to tap my cane to get
> sound input and determine depth. Tapping is harder on my wrist except
> for when I used my NFB telescopic.I know the NFB has a rigid cane, but
> that is not convenient for when stopping to eat etc.Based on all the
> advice, I may keep my 52 inch and not go shorter.
>
> Well, cane travel is a prerequesite to getting a guide dog, but I don't
> want to annoy people by talking too much about it on this list. I am
> learning a lot from all you nice people.
>
> Brenda
>
>
>
> On 5/25/2011 11:24 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> > Hi Brenda.
> > Thanks for the info on the Leader program. Glad it was useful. You've
> > got the right idea--take what you can use and let the rest slide. Though
> > some of what you don't need now you might want later.
> > My husband has low vision, gradually getting worse. But even when it was
> > better, he found a cane useful. He could use it to check out things he
> > wasn't sure about, and the cane lets people know he can't see well.
> > Sometimes they treat him like an idiot because he's blind, but on the
> > other hand they don't expect him to read signs and stuff. They understand
> > better why he's asking for help.
> >
> > I personally like a cane that comes up to about my nose. It gives me
> > sufficient stopping time. I have an NFB carbon fiber cane I like pretty
> > well. It's light, and the tip is wide enough not to get caught on cracks
> > and such. Some people like the even wider marshmallow tip.
> > My husband likes a heavy aluminum cane, with a skinny tip. He tends to
> > bang his cane around a lot, and the heavy one he likes can stand up to it.
> > Anyway, if you can get access to a few kinds of canes, you can experiment
> > and see what you like best.
> > I'm glad to hear things are coming along for you.
> > Tracy
> >
> >> Hi Tracy
> >>
> >> Yep, I'm the one that went to Leader for the AMP program because of the
> >> minimal mobility training my State provided. now is a good time for me
> >> to get my mobility down solid. I do feel it is very hard for me as I
> >> have some remaining vision. It was hard to ask for help because I often
> >> am treated like I don't need it even though I really do benefit from a
> >> cane and some day a guide dog.
> >>
> >> I learned a lot at leader. I needed concentrated practice crossing busy
> >> streets, and I got that. I still catch my cane a lot, and I felt they
> >> did not address that well - they just said it takes time. I was told to
> >> pay more attention to what my cane was saying but that is hard when it
> >> catches all the time. I'm going to purchase a slightly shorter cane and
> >> experiment with the different tips I have from the 2 canes I currently
> >> have. My mobility instructor from my state was good, he just was not
> >> allotted funds/time to give me much training. I am now combining all
> >> the tips from the state-supplied instructor and leader to travel safely
> >> and efficiently. Kind of like a 12-step group - take what you want and
> >> leave the rest.
> >>
> >> At Leader we also did a guide dog experience. it was okay. I walked
> >> with a small dog and the trainer said right away the harness handle was
> >> too short and the dog walked slower than my pace. I had issues with
> >> balance and I was trying so hard not to lead the dog which was hard with
> >> this slow-walking guide. I did not want them to think I had too much
> >> usuable vision for a dog. It was a good experience and I will get a
> >> guide when my pet passes on. I realize this was just a brief
> >> introduction to using a guide. As I was the last person to go out (all
> >> the totally blind were taken out first) and the miss match, I did wonder
> >> if I was just an afterthought.
> >> There was a thread recently about letting someone else use your guide.
> >> If I had the opportunity, I would ask someone to allow me
> >> to have another guiding experience with them present of course.
> >>
> >> Besides the badly needed traffic training I got the Kapten. This device
> >> would have been helpful for me all my life as a high partial. I still
> >> have nightmares of being lost and wondering around trying to find my
> >> way. My trips were always longer because i could not read street
> >> signs. The main thing is I have the Kapten now.
> >>
> >> I sure hope the word about the kapten gets out to high partials who are
> >> often left out because they are expected to be able to see. Growing up,
> >> all the attention, information etc went to blind students/campers, etc.,
> >> leaving high partials in the dark. Wwe were never given the
> >> opportunities and struggled to live in the sighted world with very
> >> limited vision and no adaptive strategies - we could not accept who we
> >> were as high partials.
> >>
> >> I really needed and benefited from leader's Accelerated Mobility
> >> training (AMP). I still do have usable vision to walk a straight line,
> >> but I think somehow it is because I use my cane. When i was a high
> >> partial someone said I walked crooked lines but now that I use a cane I
> >> walk straighter. I still feel like my vision puts me in limbo. I know
> >> a cane and a guide dog will help me, but I don't think the instructors
> >> think I need the help. Hopefully the guide dog school I choose will
> >> agree with me.
> >>
> >> I am glad to see the leader AMP program there for those of us that never
> >> got the chance of having mobility training which of course you need
> >> before you can get a guide dog. I think many low partials could benefit
> >> from leader's AMP program.
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >> Brenda
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On 5/25/2011 8:26 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> >>> Hi Brenda.
> >>> Are you the person who was having trouble getting cane training from
> >>> your
> >>> state, and so decided to go to Leader's cane program? Did you get what
> >>> you needed from it? I'd be interested to hear your impressions, and I'm
> >>> sure others would, too. There are too many people who can't get the
> >>> assistance they should from their states, and it would be good to know
> >>> about other options.
> >>> Sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else.
> >>> Tracy
> >>>> I went to the accelarated mobility program at Leader this early spring
> >>>> and was given the Kapten. I love it. I like to put it in free
> >>>> navigation mode and find out all the streets I cross that I never knew
> >>>> the names of before. They recommend you update it via the internet and
> >>>> the Kapten's website, but I have never done that. I suppose if I was
> >>>> going somewhere new I would try to figure that out. There is also an
> >>>> automobile mode which may be nice for bus travel.
> >>>>
> >>>> Brenda
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 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/bjnite%40windstream.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/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/bjnite%40windstream.net
> >
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
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>
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