Tom: Several years back, I had the use of one of the sonic canes (and I cannot recall the brand), for a couple days. I used it to teach a couple dogs about finding light poles with pedestrian buttons, and it actually worked pretty well. I've thought from time to time about buying one and having it as an auxiliary to a dog, but then, I have old whip antennas I use sort of like an ID cane, so never parted with the money, though it's tempting.
As far as the dog vs cane thing, the two modalities are different in kind, not in degree, and comparisons ultimately boil down to lifestyle choices, and though I might point out benefits and problems with both, I really don't like to criticize lifestyles, cause I'm sure some of the stuff I do could be viewed as beyond reprehensible by some. BTW, I got all jazzed up Saturday, because they had a piece on NPR about Smith Kettlewell and the TMAP project. I haven't ordered any yet, but I plan to in the very near future. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Fowle Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 18:14 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] ultrasonic cane? Jim, I have a report on the ultracane done by a man I believe to be reliable, and whose conclusions make sense to me based on my over 25 years of experience with a variety of canes, mobility aids etc. I'd forward the report but not without the author's permission. All of which has nothing at all to do with the cane versus dog choice which is a matter of the hugely different ways both systems work and what works for each individual. I feel somewhat qualified to have an opinion on canes and mobility aids as that's part of what they pay me for around here. I don't atate opinions about the cane versus dog choice on this list because I havn't used a dog and don't plan too. Enough allready, it's pretty far off topic. nd I surely don't want a fude with anybody. Tom Tom [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
