I actually learned to cross a busy street with a cane and got better at sensing the directional changes in the harness of a meticulously trained dog as he guided me around shin-threatening fence posts. I not only learned more about the methods used to teach travel skills but also learned more about myself. I found that the head knowledge I'd gained after 27 years in the field of rehabilitation matched my personal experiences. If I were to lose my sight tomorrow or ten years from now, I know a lot of hard work would be ahead, but I'm confident that with some good instruction I can still learn. Blindness is life-altering and sometimes a detour, but it isn't the end of productivity.
Blindfold training is only one aspect of our initiative.
Looking back, we have gained a lot of ground in making sure our services concentrate on building self-confidence rather than dependence on government and others. Although the Commission certainly isn't in the parenting business, we feel a sense of pride when the individuals we work with gain the confidence to leave the nest of rehabilitation services because they have learned the skills to be confident travelers, workers, and participating community members either for the first time or once again. It's equally rewarding to watch children who have visual impairments grow more self-confident because of the specialized services available today. As this issue is being written, our new fiscal year planning initiatives are underway and another school year has just begun.