Welcome to White Cane Connections.

My name is Sue Boman. Yes, that’s me in the picture posted here. I have called this blog White Cane Connections because I am one of the many people who use a white cane. I began this blog because I wanted to write about a project I undertook in 2012. The plan was to complete a series of walks using my white cane. Between March and September, I walked in 82 different locations across Canada. So, the blog begins by telling of my experiences and the many people I met along the way.

While this particular journey has now been completed, I find that I still have much to write about. I am continuing to make new white cane connections, and so for the time being I will continue to add regular posts to this blog. I am hoping that you will be a partner in the journey.

Sue

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

August 22 - Drummondville, QC

Lyle and I had a wonderful day in Drummondville where we enjoyed the hospitality of Humanware. As you may remember from previous posts, Humanware produces and retails the Trekker Breeze which I am using for my cross country journey. The Breeze is only one of the many products in the Humanware catalogue.

The president, Mr. Gilles Pepin has a strong vision for his company and the products designed for the sight and print disabled. His vision also extends to research and development of new products.

We arrived at the Humanware Main Office building at 11:00 a.m. and were greeted by name at the front reception desk. They were expecting us. We were taken on a tour by Rene and were introduced to Gilles and many other staff members. Humanware is an international company with Drummondville as its headquarters. The warehouse at this office serves as the product distribution centre. Technical support and repair service are also offered here.

Following our building tour we were introduced to Francine and taken on a short tour of the town and then out to lunch. Lunch was great and the conversation matched the food in quality and quantity. It was obvious that Francine has a strong commitment to the company. Although Francine is fully sighted, she told us that many of the Humanware staff are either blind or visually impaired. She spoke of the bond that she felt with her colleagues and the social and sporting activities which helped in strengthening this bond.

After lunch, Andre took us for a walk and a coffee in the downtown area. This was a great opportunity for me to fine tune my limited skills with the Trekker Breeze. Andre is an expert and he works in technical support. I am looking forward to trying out these new skills with my Breeze when Lyle and I go to Quebec City tomorrow afternoon.

I would also like to express my appreciation to Dean Yano, the Humanware sales representative for western Canada. Dean gave me my initial lessons in the use of the Breeze and arranged for the Humanware visit today.

So, now Lyle and I are back in our motor home, tired but happy. I am looking forward to more use of the Breeze and to share the capabilities of this rather amazing little device with other people I meet along the way.

Thanks, Gilles and thank you to everyone at Humanware who made our visit today both informative and so very enjoyable.

Today was definitely a day for taking pictures. I have posted four of them here.

No. 1: Francine and I enjoy a friendly toast over lunch.

No. 2: Andre and I walking in downtown Drummondville with our white canes and each with a Trekker Breeze. Andre is completely without sight. It was a challenge making our way through the many sandwich boards, patio sidewalk cafe tables, light posts, and trees.

No. 3: Andre and I enjoying coffee at a sidewalk cafe.

No. 4: At the reception area of Humanware. From left to right: Lyle, Sue, Andre and Francine.

2 comments:

Alva24 August 2012 at 10:02
Sue it is so exciting to 'travel' with you on your White Cane Connection walks. It was fun and I felt even nearer you when I noticed that in the picture of you and Andre walking and talking on the side walk, is a car with an Alberta liencse plate!! Kind of neat I thought. There was more of Alberta in that area than you and Lyle. Small world. What a thrill to learn more about Humanware. It is a great time to be alive isn't it? Your journey is soon coming to it's completion. I will be very pleased for you that you will have accomplished all and I think more than you set out to do. And at the same time I will miss the blog up dates. God continue to grant you all you need at every step. Love and prayers always. Alva
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Dorothy25 August 2012 at 01:34
How interesting the tour and finding more about your Trekker Breeze.

Dorothy
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About Me

My given name is actually Susan, but most people call me Sue. I was born in Sydney, Australia but have lived for most of my adult life in Canada. It was here that I met Lyle, my husband of 35 years. Our daughter, Jennifer is married and lives in Calgary, and our son, Jonathan is married and living in Winnipeg.

I came to Canada as an elementary teacher. After nearly twenty years of wonderful teaching experiences my eyesight changed and I was diagnosed as being legally blind. I became a client of CNIB (The Canadian National Institute for the Blind), and I began to explore other options as I could no longer function in the classroom. I became more involved with adult education.

I have written four books, the last two being about vision challenges and blindness. Copies of these books are in numerous libraries from British Columbia to Ontario. I think of my books as being motivational as well as informative.

The latest two titles are:

Ex-Sighted, A New Vision

and

Out of Sight

Over the years, I have given author presentations in numerous libraries. I have given these on a variety of topics ranging from Coping with Vision Loss to Tips for Aspiring Writers. I have also made presentations to other community groups on the subject of vision loss.

In 2004, I was the recipient of the Euclid Herie Award for Leadership. This award is presented annually to an Albertan who is either blind or legally blind and who has displayed qualities of leadership in his/her community. I continue to facilitate a monthly support group in my local area.

I am a firm believer in life long learning. In 2006, I achieved my MAIS degree (Master of Arts in Integrated Studies) through Athabasca University. I was honoured when I was asked to give the valedictorian address at the convocation ceremony.

I always feel ready to address new challenges in life and that is the reason for my symbolic cross-country trek this year. I am hoping that my series of walks will promote an awareness of white cane users and the special needs of people who are either blind or partially sighted.

Locations of my walk:

82) St. John’s, NL: Monday, September 17. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from St. John’s CNIB Office at 70 Boulevard.

81) Stellarton, NS: Monday, September 12.

80) Sydney, NS: Monday, September 10. Start at 11:00 a.m. from Tim Hortons on Charlotte St., and walk towards Wentworth Park.

79) Port Hawkesbury, NS: Saturday, September 8. Walk at 2:00 p.m. from Hawkesbury Civic Centre. 606 Reeves Street, Town Hall is at Unit 1.

78) New Glasgow, NS: Friday, September 7. Walk at 11:00 a.m. on Samson Trail (along riverfront). Tourist info: (902) 752-6383.

77) Halifax, NS: Thursday, September 6. Walk at 10:00 a.m. from the CNIB Office at 6136 Almon Street.

76) Windsor, NS: Tuesday, September 4. Start at 2:00 p.m. Walk from Garish St. to Water St. to the Library. (Meet with Lions at 7:00 p.m.)

75) Truro, NS: Sunday, September 2. Walk at 4:00 p.m. from St. John’s Anglican Church at 23 Main Street.

74) Antigonish, NS: Saturday, September 1. Start at 10:00 a.m. Walk from 283 Main Street (Antigonish Public Library).

73) Amherst, NS: Friday, August 31. Start at 2:30 p.m. from First Baptist church on 90 Victoria Street.

72) Charlottetown, PEI: Thursday, August 30. Walk at 10:00 a.m. from CNIB Office at 284 Grafton Street, Cumberland.

71) Moncton, NB: Wednesday, August 29. Walk at 10:00 a.m. from the Moncton CNIB office at 118 Highfield St. (506) 857-4240

70) Fredericton, NB: Tuesday, August 28. Walk at 10:00 a.m. from the Fredericton CNIB Office at 231 Saunders St. (506) 458-0060

69) Florenceville, NB: Monday, August 27.Walk at 1:00 p.m. from Andrew and Laura McCain Public Library at 8 McCain Street. (Library presentation is at 11:00 a.m.)

68) Woodstock, NB: Sunday, August 26. Walk at 2:00 p.m. from St. Luke’s Anglican Church,104 Church Street.

67) Riviere-du-Loup, PQ: Saturday, August 25, 10:00 a.m. Walk from Library at 67 rue du Rocher.

66) St-Jean-Port-Joli, PQ: Friday, August 24, 3:30 p.m. Walk from Library at 7 Church Square.

65) Quebec City, PQ: Thursday, August 23, 4:00 p.m. Walk from Chateau Frontenac.

64) Ste. Croix, PQ: Thursday, August 23, 10:00 a.m. Walk from Joly-de Lotbiniere Field at 7015 rte. De Pointe Platon. There is an entry fee.

63) Drummondville, PQ: Wednesday, August 22, 2:00 p.m. Walk fromTourism Bureau at 1350 rue Michaud.

62) Drummondville, PQ: Wednesday, August 22, 11:00 a.m. Rendezvous at Humanware Office, 1800 rue Michaud. Humanware has sponsored the Trekker Breeze for my walks.

61) Sherbrooke, PQ: Tuesday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. Walk from Grand Times Hotel at 1, rue Belvedere Sud.

60) Granby, PQ: Tuesday, August 21, 3:00 p.m. Walk from Chez Cora, 15 Simonds St. North.

59) Ottawa, ON: Tuesday, August 14. 10:00 a.m. from CNIB Office at 1355 Banks St., Suite 101.

58) Smith Falls, ON: Sunday, August 12. 4:00 p.m. from Town Hall at 77 Beckwith St. North.

57) Brockville, ON: Saturday, August 11. 10:30 a.m. from City Hall at 1 King St. West.

56) Gananoque, ON: Friday, August 10. 5:30 p.m. from Town Hall at 30 King St. East.

55) Kingston, ON: Friday, August 10. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from CNIB office at 826 Princess St.

54) Belleville, ON: Wednesday, August 8. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from clock tower at City Hall, 169 Front Street.

53) Oshawa, ON: Tuesday, August 7. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Ritson Alliance Church parking lot, 605 Ritson Road North.

52) Hamilton, ON: Sunday, August 5. Begin at 1:30 p.m. from the foot of Bay Street on the promenade by the water.

51) The Pinery Conservation Area (near Grand Bend, ON): Thursday, August 2. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from behind the Visitors Centre.

50) Niagara Falls, ON: Tuesday, July 31. Begin at 1:30 p.m. at the top of the falls.

49) London, ON: Monday, July 30. Begin at 10:30 a.m. in Victoria Park at the back parking lot of William’s Coffee Shop.

48) Stratford, ON: Saturday, July 28. Begin at 5:00 p.m. at upper end of the lake.

47) Waterloo, ON: Thursday, July 26. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Science Building (Museum of Vision Science and Optometry), University of Waterloo.

46) Sudbury, ON: Wednesday, July 25. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from CNIB office at 303 York Street.

45) Spanish, ON: Tuesday, July 24. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Spanish Public Library, 8 Trunk Road.

44) Sault Ste. Marie, ON: Monday, July 23. Begin at 11:00 a.m. from the pavilion in Roberta Bondar Park at 70 Foster Drive.

43) Marathon, ON: Thursday, July 19. Begin at 2:00 p.m. from the parking lot of the Recreation Complex on Peninsula Road.

42) Nippigon, ON: Wednesday, July 18. Begin at 3:30 p.m. from Nippigon Public Library at 52 Front Street.

41) Thunder Bay, ON: Wednesday, July 18. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from CNIB Office at 229 Camelot Street.

40) Dryden, ON: Tuesday, July 17. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from Dryden and District Museum, 15 Van Horne Avenue.

39) Kenora, ON: Monday, July 16. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from Kenora Lake of the Woods Museum, 300 Main Street south.

38) Outlook, SK: Friday, July 13. Begin at 1:30 p.m. from the Outlook Museum.

37) Rosetown, SK: Friday, July 13. Begin at 9:00 a.m. from the Rosetown Campground.

36) Kindersley, SK: Thursday, July 12. Begin at 6:30 p.m. from the Kindersley Public Library, 104 Princess Street.

35) Hanna, AB: Thursday, July 12. Begin at 11:00 a.m. from the Hanna Town Office.

34) Airdrie, AB: Saturday July 7. Begin at 11:00 a.m. from the north end of the Co-Op parking lot.

33) Golden, BC: Friday July 6. Begin at 10:30 a.m. on the trail behind the Seniors Centre.

32) Vernon, BC: Tuesday, June 26. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from the benches in front of Vernon Museum and Archives, 3009 - 32 Avenue.

31) Penticton, BC: Wednesday June 27. Begin at 3:30 p.m. from the main concession stand at Skaha Lake.

30) Cochrane, AB: Monday June 25. Begin at 12:30 p.m. from the Nan Boothby Public Library, 405 Railway Street West.

29) Lethbridge, AB: Monday, June 18. Meet at 1:00 p.m. at Henderson Lake Park in the area of the swimming pool.

28) Medicine Hat, AB: Saturday, June 16. Start at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of City Hall and walk to the Dairy Queen.

27) Portage la Prairie, MB: Tuesday, June 12. Start at 10:30 a.m. from Tim Hortons on the west end of town and walk to the Portage Public Library.

26) Brandon, MB: Tuesday, June 12. Start at 3:30p.m. From the Riverbank Discovery Centre. Walk to the pedestrian bridge and return.

25) Winnipeg, MB: Monday, June 11 . Start at Polo Park shopping Mall at 1:30 p.m. Walk along Portage Avenue to the CNIB Office. Meet with I.C. Clearly – the new Winnipeg CNIB mascot!

24) Regina, SK: Friday, June 8. Meet at 10:30 a.m. inside the front entry of Regina CNIB Office, 2550 Broad Street.

23) Stettler, AB: Wednesday, June 6. Meet at 3:00 p.m. Paragon Place, 5011-55 Street for coffee with the walk to follow.

22) Red Deer, AB: Tuesday, June 5. Begin walk at 1:30p.m. from the Golden Circle Seniors Centre.

21) Camrose, AB: Sunday, June 3. Join Camrose VIP’s Ron McVee Memorial Walk. Meet at 12 noon at Bill Fowler Park on Mirror Lake.

20) Saskatoon, SK: Friday, June 1. Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Saskatoon CNIB Building, 1705 McKercher Drive.

19) Wainwright, AB: May 30. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from the main doors of Battle River Lodge.

18) Edmonton, AB: May 29. Begin at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Legislative Building.

17) Wetaskiwin, AB: Monday, May 28. Begin at 1:30 p.m. from the Information Centre opposite the water tower.

16) Sherwood Park, AB: Saturday, May 26. Begin at 10:00 a.m. from the lobby of Millennium Place.

15) Drayton Valley, AB: Sunday, May 27. Begin at 3:30 p.m. from the7-Eleven Store downtown.

14) Innisfail, AB: Thursday, May 24. Begin at 11:00 am. from MacDonalds.

13) Lacombe, AB: Tuesday, May 22. Begin at 1:30 p.m. from Mary C. Moore Library.

12) Ponoka, AB: Tuesday, May 15. Begin at 10:30 a.m. from Ponoka Town Hall.

11) Calgary, AB: Saturday, April 21. Begin at 2:00 p.m. from Good Earth at the Eau Clair Market Place. We will walk for approximately 35 to 45 minutes on the paved river trails.

10) Osoyoos, BC: Monday, April 16. Begin at 1:00 p.m. at the concession stand on Lakeshore Drive.

9) Summerland, BC: Saturday, April 14. Begin at 11 a.m. from Memorial Park area downtown by the gazebo.

8) Peachland, BC: Saturday, April 14. Begin at 2:00 p.m. from the south end of the lakeshore promenade.

7) Oliver, BC: Sunday, April 15. Begin at 2:00 p.m. from the Lions Park at the north end of town.

6) Kelowna, BC: Friday, April 13. Start at 1:30 p.m. from CNIB Office (1456 St. Paul Street, Kelowna). We will walk to the Yacht Club and along the promenade. There are benches along the route and so far the weatherman predicts a sunny day.

5) Vancouver, BC: Saturday, March 31. Start at English Bay at 10:30 a.m. Meet at the sea wall - lower level of the old concession/washroom complex. We will walk to Second Beach and return.

4) Surrey, BC: Thursday, March 29. Start at Cloverdale Library (5642-176A Ave) at 11:00 a.m.

3) Nanaimo, BC: Monday, March 26. Start at the Townsite Marina on seawall pathway at 11:00 a.m.

2) Victoria, BC: Sunday, March 25. Start at Mile 0 in Beacon Hill Park at 1:30 p.m.

1) Sechelt, BC: Friday, March 23.