O&M #3

This afternoon was O&M lesson #3. We reviewed my usual routes to the grocery store, Coolens and CVS. Then we practiced parking lots. Parking lots have always mystified me. Cars racing around, coming out of no where, no logical way to the entire mess. So I asked if he had a better way.

It starts with scanning the whole place then breaking it into manageable chunks. The biggest thing is try to stay out of the middle and find shorelines as those are the safest place to be- along curbs, sidewalks, etc places where cars can't back out on you or come out of nowhere at you.

We had a slight miscommunication when I thought he wanted me to go diagonally through the lot when he had meant to go straight through it, but that got worked out.

I also practiced with a long cane, then actually broke it. Oops. I walk too fast and it got caught in a crack in the sidewalk and I walked right into it and bent it. Then when S was trying to unbend it at the joint it snapped. Good thing they only cost about $25. I felt bad though.

For me the biggest reason to use the cane is visibility. People equate the cane to someone who has a visual impairment so they are more careful, especially cars. But other reasons are so that I can tell how far away an object is sooner so I can have a faster reaction time to avoid it and also to more easily tell changes in the pavement like where a street crossing is or a curb drop off. I think it will be a useful tool to have. S said I wouldn't have to use it all the time, just when I felt I would be in a situation where I might benefit, an example for me would be in a new place where I didn't have J. Until I get comfortable in that space that I can get around, the cane would be useful. So I have ordered one and will practice.

Was a productive lesson. Next time we're going to the train station. With no J. ah. That's a 2 mile walk, way longer than the .5 mile it is to the corner.