White Canes vs Guide Dogs

In this video, Caitlyn discusses the pros and cons of white canes and guide dogs.
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[@waylee264]

This is a really great video. I agree with all of the pros and cons of the white cane you mentioned. I am a white cane user myself. I am also totally blind, and every time I walk into an open space I tend to veer really bad. I get frustrated, especially when some of my friends, joking, of course, ask me if I'm drunk. I just laugh it off, but deep down I wish they would just not joke like that. Also, the obstacle detection is a blessing anda curse, in my opinion. For example, in order to get to one of my classes, I have to trail the wall to count the hallways to find the correct one. Leaning against the wall are chairs and tables. I can't count the number of times my cane knocked into someone's drink on the floor or got caught in someone's backpack strap. At the same time, I like being able to tell what's in my environment. With the cane I can detect drop offs, stairs, and feel texture changes. The roller marshmallow tip is my preferred tip, but often the bearing gets hair wound around it and the whole tip needs replacing.

[@seaninherts]

Hello from the UK - bang on - cane obstacle finder and dog obstacle avoider. I’m currently a full time long cane user after 23 years and one month of working with a guide dog. At time of writing, I’ve been without my guide dog for one month and 21 days. I hate it. I’m jumpy, jittery, mentally exhausted - I feel vulnerable, overwhelmed and hopeless. Of course, a dog is a huge responsibility - but you don’t notice them if you are a dog person. I do think that a dog isn’t for everyone, but my goodness does life feel horrible without. There has been a huge issue with guide dog waiting lists in recent years. Scary and I spend most of my days balling in to tears. Ok you might read and think that I have problems. I actually don’t have any diagnosed mental health but this is not a nice experience at all. Fingers crossed for a solution soon.