To Cane or Not to Cane

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That is the question.

I've mentioned this before and I'll mention it again. I have an on-going personal struggle with this topic. It takes an emotional and mental strain on a person to take up the cane. It's going to brand a person for life. I might as well slap a large sticker on my back for all to see. BLIND.

Once I start to "raise cane" (pun intended), it's going to be an emotional upheaval. I know I will feel angry and upset. I just don't like to call attention to myself.

I've spoken, or rather, I've written to on-line friends about caning. Many have had orientation and mobility (O&M) training with the white cane before they were legally blind. They needed to use it to safely navigate in the dark. Some took the training and then left the cane in the closet for a certain amount of time. It could be months or years before they decided to dust off the cane. Then some just carried it around with them, folded up in their backpacks or purses. It's a "baby step" process.

Many have said they'd wished they started using the cane earlier.

It is best to get O&M training while one still has remaining vision. And, there's even staggered O&M training as one's vision gets worse. The training is updated to fit one's visual needs. Listening skills are so important. Those with low vision/no vision listen for traffic, how the tap of the cane sounds (hollow, solid) that can tell the caner that he is in an area with tall buildings or open space.

But what if one has hearing loss? There are different methods in training. Mostly, hearing aids and FM systems are used to help the individual to hear the mobility instructor's instructions and listen for cues. If a caner is deaf, then it's all about the feel of the cane.

I am not an expert on this topic. I am jsut going by what I have learned.

Some caners prefer different kinds of canes: Folding, telescoping, or rigid canes with ball-tip, marshmellow tip, or regular tip. Then there's the length of the cane. Mostly, it's best to have cane be chin-length, though there are some that are at the chest level.

I toss the idea of the cane in my mind. I am scared to go public with a cane. It's humbling. I know I will have large lumps in my throat just knowing that people will be staring. I will have to develop a hard shell or just deal with it.

I still get around okay in familiar places, as long as there's no steps to look out for (wink). I tell myself that I don't need the cane. Maybe a cure will be found and I won't have to use it.

Sooner or later, I'll have to face facts. And convince my family that I will have to start caning for mobility, independence, and safety. I have to keep in mind that I am not the only one adjusting. My family adjusts with me.

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It's wonderful to see Onyx back to her old self again. She's eating. A LOT!! And drinking lots of water. Sometimes I check her water bowl and it's bone dry. As soon as I wash out the bowl and put fresh, cold water in it, I'll get an excited yip and a half-jump from her while I am standing by the sink. :)

I'll throw a plastic horseshoe outside and she's running faster.

I finally got the girls the swimming pool passes. :) They already went swimming. The breeze is cool, so I am betting that they want to stay in the "warm" water.

I found a parent who is willing to pick up Angel in the mornings for school. I just have to find her a ride after school. I have plenty of time. Summer's just started. For right now, I'm cooling it with the phone. I am not hearing so well on it due to a hearing aid maintenance need. I have an appointment next week that can fix the problem in a jiffy. Every time someone's on the phone for me (rare), I'd have to get one of the kids to interpret for me. When Hubby's on the phone, he'll talk to the kids or I will play guessing games.

Okay, this post is getting too long.

Later. OXOX

Brandy

Hubby and I had discussed getting another puppy. When we met, I had Krissi, a Lab/Golden Retriever/Collie mix and he had a Black Lab/Beagle mix. Soon I had to put my Krissi down. She was getting old and sick. I grew up with dogs. I was never without a dog.

When my youngest was two, Hubby's dog was outside on a hot June day. We just installed central air and it was not compatible with our water heater. We had to get a new one. The water heater guy replaced our old water heater. She chose to sleep under the big, shady truck. The man didn't expect to have a dog under his company truck and ran over her.

Two years later, we talked about getting another dog. Hubby saw an ad in the paper for free Lab/Golden Retriever puppies. We named her Baylee. She was kept outside a lot. Hubby wanted to slowly housebreak her. The kids and I took her for many walks. One day, two months after we got her, she disappeared shortly after Halloween that year. Her collar was still connected to the chain. We never found her.

But, another few months later, that Christmas, Hubby brought home Brandy, a Shetland Sheepdog. (A Sheltie, for short, though I don't know why it's not Shetlie, but I digress.) She was no bigger than my hand at six weeks.

She brought more laughter into our lives. She was funny. She barked at everything that moved. It was the herding instinct. She was protective and a bundle of nerves. We were her family and no one was supposed to get near us. If we had family or friends visiting us, it took a little while for her to get her guard down.

The rabbits and squirrels taunted her. She was chained up outside and couldn't chase them. We had her run around sometimes without the chain or leash to fetch frisbees and tennis balls.

She was a part of our family. She did not like to swim, but tolerated baths. Her coat was so beautiful. I couldn't wait till she was two years old for the coat to really fill in.

But one day, two years ago, she got loose and took the opportunity to chase that taunting squirrel into the street.

The man braked, but it was too late. He felt so bad. It all happened so fast. My oldest daughter scooped her up into her arms while Brandy convulsed and drew her last breath.

Brandy (a.k.a. Foxy Lady) can chase all the squirrels and rabbits she wants now, with a full coat.

It took another year and a half before we got another puppy, a Black Lab, now almost 11 months old.

We'll never forget you, Brandy. We'll make room in our hearts for new pets, but you'll never be forgotten.

November 2004 - April 12, 2006

Brandy

Our Sheltie, Brandy, was delivered to us on Christmas Eve '04. She was about six weeks old. She was the runt of the litter. You can see how small she was next to the grapefruit. Little did we know what a little handful she was going to be. From being as little as a hand to a little troublemaker at times. She did not like swimming. She hated the water. (Most Shelties don't.) She was a very spirited dog. She was stubborn at times. She was the perfect lapdog. She loved to sit on our laps or keep our feet warm. She was funny and brought laughter to our lives. She was a part of our family.

Here she is full-grown. She was about 12 inches tall. She was a petite Sheltie. We loved her anyway.

She looked like a little fox. I used to call her "Foxy Lady."

On April 12, 2006, one year ago today, she got hit by a car. She wanted to chase a squirrel or a bunny. May she chase all the squirrels and bunnies she wants. (At least this is what I would like to think,)

In Loving Memory of Brandy

November 5, 2004 - April 12, 2006