December 18 - Happy Holidays

This past weekend, Lyle and I attended a local theatre performance of The Sound of Music. The movie has long been associated with the Christmas season. The film version is not my absolute favourite, but last weekend’s performance was live and was based on the original stage script. It was extremely well done and with the slight differences from the movie, the musical play kept our attention to the end. The night was made even more enjoyable because Lyle and I were seated in the front row.

When we attend any live performance, Lyle and I always ask for seats as close to the stage as possible.  Sometimes when seating is on a first come basis, I have been offered a seat at the front with Lyle sitting separately further back. This doesn’t work well at all. Even when I am sitting close to the front I can only make out the larger movement on stage, and the smaller details of action, especially when not accompanied by dialogue, escape me completely. When we sit side by side, Lyle is able to whisper to me the reasons for the laughter or gasps of the audience as they see whatever it is that I am unable to see.

Lyle and I always appreciate it when seating concessions are made for us. Over the years we have become familiar with the theatres that bend over backwards in this regard, and those are the theatres we tend to patronise more often. I am also looking forward to a return visit to Stratford Theatre in Ontario. It was only after our last trip there that I learned that on request, there are headphones available with descriptive commentary of the action on stage.

So, as the days of 2013 count down, I want to wish everyone all the best for the holiday season. It has been an eventful year and is still not quite over. I also want to thank you for checking in on this blog. I am looking forward to being in touch again early in 2014 with more commentary on White Cane Connections.

Sue

December 7 - Getting It Right

This past week, Lyle and I flew to Florida. Considering the below freezing temperatures back in Alberta, this was a good move on our part. The weather in Orlando was exceptionally pleasant and the main reason for our trip.  However, we also visited the Disney Theme Parks. There are four of these – Magic Kingdom, Disney Studios, EPCOT and Wild Animal Kingdom. We had been to the first three nearly twenty years ago but wild Animal Kingdom was new to us.

Magic Kingdom is the park which features the Disney cartoon characters and there are multiple rides and attractions. I think that Lyle and I were a little disappointed in the day we spent there. The park is definitely geared to families and young children and that was part of our memories of our previous visit. We did enjoy seeing a presentation titled Hall of Presidents with a voice narration by Denzel Washington. This presentation was very well done.

There were crowds of people on the day we went to Disney Studios. This park is smaller and with the throngs of people, and some unexpected steps and curbs, I found getting around required a bit more concentration. This was our least favourite park.

Lyle and I both liked EPCOT. Walt Disney and his team gave the park this name standing for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. While the attractions and displays don’t quite keep up with the rapid technological advances of today, Lyle and I did notice some changes from our last visit there. At this point, I want to say a special hello to Shannon. Lyle and I were sitting in the same row as Shannon and her parents in Ellen’s Energy World. Shannon and I were both using our white canes. So, Shannon if you are reading or listening to this, a special hello to you in Ontario from me now back in Alberta.

My favourite of the Disney Theme Parks was definitely Wild Animal Kingdom. I can recommend it for several reasons. First, it was constructed with accessibility in mind and secondly, apart from the business aspect, its prime function is conservation an preservation of the environment.

Wild Animal Kingdom is very well done and seemed to have something for everyone. Lyle liked the roller coaster ride in Asia enough to do it twice. I knew my limits and stayed on a bench near the entryway for this. I liked the safari ride. Although I couldn’t really see the elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and others, our guide was informed and informative. I learned a lot.

For both Lyle and myself, our favourite attraction was a performance of Simba, the Lion King. We were specially seated in a section reserved for people with disabilities. During the performance, the actors came very close to where we were sitting. It was great. When the action took place in the more distant centre of the arena, I was able to watch two extremely talented signers translating the words for the hearing impaired. All in all, I found the staff at this park to be exceptionally courteous and totally aware of the significance of my white cane. The planners of this park got it right and the present day management is continuing to do the right thing for those of us who live with a disability.

November 30 - Christmas Shopping

Christmas is coming and although it is one of my favourite seasons, I really don’t like the shopping aspect.  If I didn’t enjoy the end result of a shopping trip so much, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. However, once we are home from the store, I like taking out the special gifts and treats that Lyle and I have purchased.

You might be asking then, what is my problem. The problem is that when I am in the store, I simply lose any ability to focus or “see”. The variance of lighting – bright or dim, fluorescent white or dazzling colour, flickering or steady beam - is simply blinding. At Christmas the rush of people hurrying to and fro is unnerving. The multitude of special items on display while tantalizing to those who can see, for me is blurred and confusing.

Fortunately, Lyle is patient. One of his suggestions is that I make a list of what I need and he will fill the order. This works reasonably well with groceries but it doesn’t work with the gift list. For the most part, we don’t give many gifts but I would like for the ones that we do choose to give to have some special meaning. It is hard to make this list out of a vacuum not knowing what there is available.

So, that is my complaining done for today. Tomorrow is Advent Sunday and I know that I must prepare in other ways for the “Reason for the Season”. Today, Lyle and I put up our little Christmas tree and the string of lights along the outside roof of our house and garage. As I type this, there is a CD of Christmas music playing in the background. I have a special red tablecloth for our dining room table and a nativity arrangement and candles for the coffee table. Often Lyle and I will sit in comfortable chairs in our living room and reminisce about the many happy family times we have enjoyed at this time of year. I think that I will procrastinate just a little longer about the idea of shopping and enjoy the many good things of the holiday season.

November 7 - Worth the Effort?

This morning when Lyle and I went to see my mother, there was a music therapy program happening. Mum lives in a care facility about an hour north of Sydney and spending time with Mum is the main reason for our frequent trips Down Under. One of the renditions in this morning’s program was Now is the Hour, a traditional Maori song of farewell. In my generation, nearly every Australian schoolchild would have known the words and tune so it was a nostalgic moment when I heard the song again.

However, this morning’s song triggered another memory.  Several years ago when Lyle and I were travelling in New Zealand, we stopped to see the Glowworm Caves at Waitomo. This was one of the top tourist destinations on my list and I was quite excited...that is, until we actually arrived at the ticket booth. It was only then that I fully realized the challenges that might face a person with little vision when touring an underground cave with uneven steps in the dark. With my eye condition, I cannot see in the dark. I hesitated, procrastinated, but finally decided to go ahead. 

The first part of the tour was indeed tricky and I was wondering if I had made the right decision.  I couldn’t see the little lights of the glowworms and I was uncertain of my steps.  Lyle and I fell a little behind the main group and so missed out on some of the commentary as well.  Then we came to a large cave.  I still could see very little but the tour guide explained that this particular cave had the most amazing natural acoustics. She asked if anyone in the group would like to sing to demonstrate the sound. There was a significant pause. I am not sure what exactly came over me – I am not a singer – but perhaps it was just a bit of pent up frustration letting loose. Suddenly I was singing Now is the Hour. 

It was an amazing experience.  I sounded even better than when I happen to sing in the shower, and all the Kiwi and Aussie tourists joined in. Our guide seemed to notice me and my white cane for the first time and from then until we resurfaced I was led to the front of the group.

I am telling you this story because it was such a good lesson for me. Somehow, I had changed my thinking from I can’t do this to I can do this if I try. I overcame my initial apprehension and went on to have an extraordinary experience in the underground caves at Waitomo.  Was it worth the effort?  Totally!

There are lots of instances like this in our lives. I try to remember my own experience with Now Is the Hour.  My experience might not be the same as that of someone with sight, but I can still draw on other senses to gain my own measure of enjoyment from any experience or activity.

November 2 - Melbourne Cup Day in Australia

The Melbourne Cup is the premier horse racing event in Australia. You might be wondering how one city, Melbourne, can be the focus of such national interest, but trust me when I say that every Australian would know about Melbourne Cup Day. In fact, the country practically comes to a standstill during the running of the 3200 metre thoroughbred horse race. Already as I am writing this the excitement of this particular day and week is building. The Melbourne Cup Race is always held on the first Tuesday in November at 3:00 p.m.  It attracts international attention in horse racing, financial and fashion circles.

On a personal level, I have already been invited to three different Melbourne Cup parties.  I have decided to attend the one that starts with a lunch, has a fashion show, a best hat contest, and of course, a sweepstake opportunity on the race. So, why am I writing this in my White Cane Connections blog?  Like many other women, I have been considering what I might wear to the party. It is a dress-up occasion, and for some reason I feel a little odd in my dress-up clothes and holding my white cane.  I’m not sure just what the difference is to be using my cane while I am dressed in semi-formal wear and using my cane when I am dressed in casual gear and sturdy shoes. Perhaps it is the latter piece of attire that makes the difference. For those of us who have difficulty seeing what is in front of us, decent footwear can make a difference. Running shoes don’t lend themselves to skirts and long dresses for the women or formal suits for the guys. 

I did investigate the possibility of using a coloured cane to further coordinate my outfit. My sister, Jill, told me that coloured canes were available through Vision Australia. Out of curiosity, I called the organization with an inquiry. The mobility agent there told me that indeed coloured canes were available on request, but the request was mostly made by young children who wanted something in a primary colour.  The agent said that sometimes young adults would order a black cane so that they weren’t so visible. However, he hastened to inform me that the international colour of the cane for the blind was definitely white with a contrasting red tip. I decided that the red on the end of my cane would do nicely for the Melbourne Cup celebration. 

Below is a picture of me in my chosen outfit.  I am holding my cane in front of me.  The red tip of my cane is coordinated with my flame colored dress. 

October 17 - Using White Canes

October 15 was International White Cane Day and this year the day was a strong reminder for me as to what can happen when I am not using my cane. Basically, I wasn’t using my cane...and I tripped...and I fell!

Lyle and I are in Australia again – this time for a family wedding.  The wedding was in Sydney last weekend and so this week we are enjoying time by the ocean.  On October 15, our son and daughter-in-law joined us and we walked along our favourite beach in the area.  Now, I don’t use my cane on the sand, reasoning that there are few obstacles and that if I do happen to fall, there will be a soft landing. Following our walk along the beach, we drove to a lighthouse lookout.  Lyle and I have been here before and I knew that the walk to the lookout was paved and easy going and I didn’t take my cane. This was a mistake!  It was on the way back that I fell.  I was walking full of independence, and as it turned out also full of foolishness, when I fell face down onto the concrete pathway.  Without my cane, I was unable to detect the piece of timber that had broken off from the side of the path and caught my right foot.

I have no recollection of falling. Simply put, one minute I was vertical and the next instant my head crashed into the immoveable footpath.  I didn’t quite black out but I could feel the blood dripping over my face.  When I rolled over, my son the doctor, albeit a psychiatrist, told me that I would certainly need a stitch or two.

Lyle drove me off towards the hospital. Our accommodation unit was en route so we were able to stop for ice on the way.

The care I received at Gosford City Hospital was prompt and efficient.  I am truly grateful to all the staff there but especially to Dr. Zack.  His bedside manner was caring and calming – just what I needed.  He attended to my head wound and cleaned the other various cuts and abrasions on my arms, hands and feet. To tell the truth, I didn’t even feel the tetanus shot when the needle was given. The only puzzling bit of the neurological exam was when I was unable to see or track Zack’s moving finger. However, he deduced, and I hope correctly, that my brain was still functioning as it should.

I want to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Zack and wish him well on his career path to either surgery or plastic surgery.  How lucky was I that he was the one who drew my name in the emergency room roster.

It is already two days after my fall and I am still taking some pain medication.  I think that the pain in my chest, the tenderness of my head wound, the stiffness of my shoulders and torso, and the stinging from the cuts on my hands and feet will continue to remind me for some days to come of the necessity of using my cane.  Had I been using the cane, or at the very least holding the arm of the person beside me, my fall could have been prevented.