I've been blind all my life.  Unfortunately, I never gave
orientation and mobility proper concern and time; when I was young, I
wasn't made to and so didn't care to, and once I realized its
importance, I was at a complacent time in my life when I figured I could
just get by.
     Well, I recently came back from Guide Dogs for the Blind after two
years of mobility training.  I thought I was ready; I travel all over
the place with my cane, and I know how to get around.  Thing is, I'm not
as fast as I'd like to be, and I really want a guide dog.
     I wasn't ready for one, and came back from GDFTB only halfway
through the course.  They said my orientation skills weren't up to the
task, and I rely too much on tactile input with a cane to use a dog at
this time.
     I firmly believe that one can change anything about oneself if one
works hard enough at it.
     Apparently, I lack some very basic orientation skills.  Only one I
can think of offhand is that I have trouble figuring out where things
will be if I change direction.  Often I figure it out after the fact,
but it takes making the mistake and then reasoning, "Why did this happen
this way when I thought it should have happened that way?"
     I really want to go back and get a guide dog.  Problem is, if I
work on improving my orientation skills by walking with a cane, isn't
that perpetuating the problem?  I mean, it's difficult to say "Okay,
I'll use the cane but I'll try not to rely on tactile input as much as I
used to."
     My question (sorry for being so long-winded): how can I improve my
orientation skills?  Anybody have any tips?  I know a lot of you may
take these skills for granted, but even if something sounds silly, I'd
appreciate it.  I'm open to any suggestions right now.
     I'm currently between mobility instructors and am tired of working
via rote travel.  Help!  Thanks.
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]
--- Maximus 2.02
---------------