February 13 - White Canes

A couple of weeks ago, I had a medical appointment in the city. Lyle parked our car in the underground lot quite close to the elevators. I knew that there were no steps in the building and so I left my cane in the car. This part of my doctor’s appointment was straightforward, but then I needed an x-ray.

When I followed the receptionist from the waiting room, I had anticipated that I would simply be going around the corner to the x-ray lab. This was not the case. The building had two wings, and not only that, it was in the process of being renovated. I followed through a labyrinth of empty hallways festooned with construction tapes and shrouded doorways. When I was finally deposited in a small change room, I had no clue as to where I was. When the technician appeared, I explained my problem and that I was legally blind. However, when the x-ray procedure was over, the young man apparently didn’t understand the extent of my vision loss and he instantly disappeared from sight. It was four o’clock in the afternoon – work was done for the day and there wasn’t another soul around. I had no idea of how to retrace my steps and felt a mild sense of panic.

Now, I was eventually rescued from my plight by a good Samaritan who was also wandering the isolated hallways. The difference between the two of us was that he could see to read the signs that pointed the way back to the reception area whereas I could not. I was relieved when we finally found our way back to where Lyle was waiting for me.

While this is an odd little story, the experience has also served to remind me of one of the important reasons for using my white cane. The white cane really does serve to identify me as someone who has little sight. It also means that on occasion I might need assistance in finding my way. Sometimes it is difficult for other people to understand the full meaning of terms such as legally blind and visually impaired. Often a white cane is a more effective visual tool in demonstrating what is meant by such terms. It isn’t the first time that I have been caught without my cane and have landed myself in a tricky situation. I wonder how long it will take me to learn the valuable lesson of always having my white cane with me!