February 25 - Time

The other day someone who didn’t know me very well, but did know that I was visually impaired, asked, “What do you do with your time? You must find that the time just crawls when you can’t see to do anything!”

This fellow was quite serious with his question. I hastened to reassure him that my time never seems to stand still and that I keep quite busy indeed. In fact, because I don’t see well, it often takes me longer to complete certain tasks. Frequently, I find that I don’t have enough time to do all the things that I would like to do.

There are many misconceptions about blindness but this one was new to me. A person who is blind can do very much more than sit and watch the minutes tick by. I think that people have the choice to fill their days in whatever manner they choose. This goes for whether they are sighted or not. The trick is to find the right balance.

So, what do I do with my time? I walk with a friend five days a week. I swim once or twice a week. I belong to three different social groups. I facilitate a support group for people with vision challenges. Although I can’t see print I am an avid reader of audio books. Together with Lyle we have a strong relationship with our children and their families. We both like to travel. Oh, and of course, I like to write on this blog!

I am very aware of time, but I try to keep a balance. As my Dad often said, “Time enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.” Yes, I do keep busy but I also like time to relax and smell the roses.

February 17 - White Cane Use

Generally speaking, I’m not surprised when people ask about my vision loss, but in the last few weeks and months I have been asked more specifically about my use of a white cane. When do I use the cane? Do I really need to use it? When don’t I use the white cane? Why don’t I use the cane all the time? Is this because of the stigma that is attached to it?

Personally, I have never felt the stigma that is sometimes perceived by others as a stigma attached to the use of a white cane. I have many feelings about my cane but a feeling of negativity that my cane makes me less of a person isn’t one of them. I sometimes see my cane as an awkward nuisance but most of the time I see it as a useful necessity. This doesn’t mean that in the beginning using the cane didn’t take some practice and getting used to the feel of it. It was hard to explain when I didn’t really understand it all myself.

So, when don’t I use my cane? For one thing, I never use it in my home. I don’t use it when I am visiting friends. I don’t use it in familiar places when I am walking with Lyle or a friend and when I know that the ground is level. I trust them to tell me if I am approaching any obstacle in my path.

When do I use my cane? Well, in mostly any other circumstance. I nearly always use my cane if I am out and about by myself in unfamiliar places or where there are steps or stairs. I always use my cane when we are travelling. Travelling with my white cane just makes life all that much easier.

I think that my white cane serves a double purpose. Firstly, it does help me to clear a path in front of me. As I hold the cane, I can detect obstacles in my way. I can feel for steps or slopes before I trip on them. Secondly, when other people see my cane they will usually move out of my way when I am walking towards them. People will often offer help when I look as if I need it. Sometimes when I am standing alone and waiting for Lyle, strangers will approach me to ask if they can help in any way. Often in the public washrooms when I am searching for a paper towel or soap dispenser, another woman will help. As a side note, I’m not sure why the powers that be feel the need to hide these essential items in the most unexpected places!

I do know when I need to use my cane and when I don’t think that it is necessary, but I suppose that it is the perceived inconsistency in my use of the cane that has prompted questions and curiosity. I hope that this simple explanation helps. As to whether or not I really need the cane – what is with this question? A person would not be asked if they really needed to wear glasses. I look at the white cane as a larger and more obvious aide to help me negotiate  a world geared to sight.

February 10 - Chair Yoga

Did I tell you that I am back doing a chair yoga class? I restarted in January with the same instructor as last year.

Kris is excellent. As well as demonstrating the various poses, he describes the set up of each. I know that I would be quite at sea if it wasn’t for this detailed instruction. Kris keeps an eye on all of us, and will often go around the group to adjust our positions where necessary. I find this hugely helpful.

One of the poses that Kris nearly always incorporates into the class is a halfway sitting position. This past week I was especially glad of this practice. Lyle and I needed to go to the emergency room at the Rocky View Hospital in Calgary. Now, if you live in Alberta and likely other Canadian provinces, you will know that waiting time these days is exceptionally long. We were fortunate – just over four hours. However in that time period I needed to get up and down from my chair at least seven times. The chair had armrests but I was definitely reluctant to touch anything – much less where multiple hands of sick strangers had touched before me. How glad I was that I had my yoga practice behind me. I was able to get up and down quite easily with only my rear end touching the seat.

After this experience, I have determined to practice more of the poses I am learning in the weekly classes. Yoga is a physical and meditative exercise and I’m glad that it is now part of my exercise routine. Thanks to Kris for making the class such an encouraging experience.

 

 

February 2 - Service Dogs

In past posts I have sometimes written about service dogs – guide dogs for people who are visually impaired, hearing impaired or mobility challenged. Dogs, amazing creatures that they are, provide a variety of services to the human population.

The other day I was fortunate enough to meet Kida. Kida is a certified search and rescue dog. Our meeting was by chance. Kida and her handler were walking around the same indoor complex where Lyle and I often walk on wintry days. As I approached Kida and Jasmin, I noted that the little bells on Kida’s collar had stopped jingling and when I got really close, I could see that Kida had stopped to allow me to pass by. I was very impressed with this obedience training.

When I stopped to chat, Jasmin told me that the blue vest that Kida was wearing identified her as a “Search” dog. She was a cadaver dog, especially trained to find human remains. That day was part of her training. Although there weren’t any bodies to be found, Jasmin had hidden a blood stained tissue in one of the nearly 300 horse stalls where we were walking. Jasmin told me not to be startled when I heard Kida barking. That would simply mean that she had found the hidden clue. Indeed, this is what happened only a few more minutes after we had spoken.

Kida was a beautiful and fairly large German Shepard. Her normal walking gait was graceful but on her mission to find the hidden tissue she ran at speed. Jasmin said that this was the reason for the jingling bells. If Kida was on a hunt in the bush, her search could take her out of sight. The bells helped Jasmin find her again and also of course, locate her quarry.

Kida and Jasmin are part of the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta (SARDA). Jasmin said that she thought there might be about 25 dogs and handlers in the Edmonton group. The members are volunteers and don’t undertake private requests for search and rescue quests. They work under the direction of law enforcement and other official agencies. However, SARDA is a charitable organization and you can donate to them for tax receipts.

Meeting Kida and Jasmin was a pleasant and informative interlude in an otherwise repetitive walking routine. Although Kida doesn’t only work with an individual on a daily basis as do other more well known service dogs, her training is constant. Kida and Jasmin provide a valuable service to communities in crisis.