Hi Blog world,
Sorry I didn’t get a blog in last week it was a rough and exciting week. Last Thursday I got the call that I have been waiting a year and two half months for-I finally was going to get my white cane and training! I was excited and nervous at the same time.
Finally, Saturday came and my teacher came with my cane. I have to admit that I was nervous that my training would be delayed more. My first lesson was in the sighted guide technique, for people who do not know a sighted guide helps someone who is blind or visually impaired get around safely, during this lesson we went through how to use a sighted guide while going up and down stairs and how to switch sides of the guide while traveling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoRQiG_hlHk we also went through how to keep myself safe if I didn’t have my cane with me.
The first lesson I learned with my cane was what length I needed; to measure a user for a cane we use the height up to the collar-bone mine’s a 50 in. After that, I learned the parts of the cane and how to walk with it.
Even though it had just stopped raining my teacher and I went for a mile and a half walk. It felt odd learning the technique; however, I learned it pretty quickly. I am looking forward to learning more lessons on how to travel independently. I get my freedom back!
This blog is in loving memory of Bristol: the guide dog who gave my best friend the
gift of independence.
Blog soon,
Amanda Gene
Harris' InkWell 