Aubrie's cane

[Guest guest]

Did I tell you guys that Aubrie is now using her long white cane? I knew

she was getting instruction through the school year, but I had no idea how

far she'd come! The O&M instructor called at the end of the year to say

that she should use it over the summer in unfamiliar surroundings. We've

only had it about a week and have used it in familiar and new places. What

I have seen is that it increases her independence and confidence.

We just naturally hold hands when we're out. It helps me to know she's

right there. I watch for any obstacles she may not see and let her know

about them - and since she's right with me, I know that she's approaching

the same things I am. With the cane, she doesn't hold my hand, walks on her

own confidently, and neither of us worries that she'll miss anything or

stumble.

I've also noticed another benefit. When we go somewhere, she has the need

to touch everything - and I mean everything. It's aggravating in a store

cuz it slows her down, things fall off the shelves, I worry about breaking

fragile things, etc. With the cane, she is occupied and doesn't need to

touch everything along the way.

The funny thing is that people who know her are surprised to see her with

it. Many people don't realize that she can't see out of one eye or how poor

her hearing can be. Besides her hearing and vision, there are the balance

issues. The cane is as much for other people to watch out for her as it is

to help her watch out for them. She likes to tell the story of Patty

looking straight at people who stare at her when using the cane and saying,

" What? Haven't you ever seen a blind person before? "

We're working on cane etiquette. I don't know anything about it - but I'm

sure that carrying it in a way that may poke someone or cause someone to

trip must be a bad thing. :-) She is oblivious to the way the seas part

when she approaches. I think she needs to develop awareness that she is not

such a princess that the world should part and make way for her highness -

she needs to watch out for others and pay attention as much as she is able.

It's been an interesting and fun week seeing how competent she's become and

how much she's learned about cane skills. This is another example of

something I'd never have expected her to benefit from had it not been for

the experience of Patty and others before us.

This week she is at camp at the School for the Visually Impaired. Perfect

place to learn more about using the cane. We dropped her off yesterday

afternoon. She is so excited! Not a bit of anxiety saying goodbye to us.

She was concerned that her roommate would not be happy with her music needs

at night, but her roommate seemed fine with it. Earlier in the week, she

said that she might have to call during the week. I guess DJ and I

are chopped liver compared to the big brother. I wish I could be a fly on

the wall to see how she's doing.

I got to take a nap this afternoon, clean up the living room and know it

will stay clean, and watch an R-rated movie before her bedtime! It's quiet

- but rather than miss her, I am trying to enjoy all the benefits of having

this time to myself. And I look forward to hearing all about her week when

she comes home.

Th-th-th-that's all folks! Thanks for listening :-)

Michele W

Aubrie's mom 9 yrs