In our
pre-walk discussion, Paivi explained the proposed route to us. She particularly
mentioned one street corner where overhanging branches were a hazard at face
level. Dorothy had already walked our route in the early morning and said, with
some annoyance in her voice, that in spite of several phone calls to the city,
the tree branches were indeed still hanging. After these initial observations, our
little group set off. When we reached the street corner in question, we were
all amazed to find that between 8:30 a.m. when Dorothy and Adler had walked,
and 10:00 a.m., the time of the group walk, there was nothing left of the
branches but saw dust. Advocacy does work, but persistent advocacy works
better. Good for the City of Sudbury for paying attention!
I enjoyed
chatting with the entire group at various times during our walk. In my
conversation with Rita, I commented on her very positive attitude and her
independent spirit. I was touched by her reply. She said, “My family mean so
much to me...how could I be any other way. I would never want to be a burden to
them.”
Rita, you are certainly not a burden, and you
are also an inspiration to your family and to others who know you.
Next, I
walked with Barb. Barb has been with CNIB for nearly thirty years and, and her
head was swimming with information both from the present and from the past.
Barb, you really should write a book!
Barb had
just come back from Camp Freedom at Brantford, a summer camp for youngsters who
are either blind or have visual challenges. She had spent the past week there on
vacation, assisting the youngsters with daily living skills and was buoyed by
their enthusiasm, their determination and their many abilities and
capabilities. As a teacher myself, I
know the thrill that comes from watching young people learning and that sudden
moment of clarity and understanding when they finally “catch on”.
Lyle and I
enjoyed the hospitality that was offered by Sudbury CNIB and by others we met
on our brief stay there. We appreciated the post-walk refreshments and the
visiting. As well, a special thank you to Colleen at the Sudbury Star for the
media coverage of the White Cane Connections event.
Some of our group at the beginning of the walk in Sudbury.
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