This past week, Lyle and I took a little
road trip to Winnipeg. As we passed through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
I was reminded of the 2012 White Cane Connection Walks. The aim of the project
was primarily to promote an awareness of the meaning of the white cane, but
there were other benefits along the way.
I am still moved by the many cheerful and
courageous people I met during the course of my journey. I met white cane users
ranging in age from four to ninety-nine. I met people who had used a white cane
for most of their lives and one woman who was using her white cane for the
first time in public on the day of the walk. I talked with family members, caregivers,
members of the Canadian Council for the Blind and to staff from various CNIB
offices. Together we walked to promote white cane awareness, and hopefully, to
further educate a sighted population about vision loss, vision health and hope
for the future.
If you are a white cane user, you have this
opportunity to educate every time you step outside your front door. I am often
made aware of this opportunity. Perhaps you might remember a few weeks ago when
I encouraged readers of this blog to have a conversation with someone else
about white canes. Just this past weekend, a friend contacted me to say that
she had done exactly that. She was on a flight from BC to Alberta and the
passenger beside her used a white cane. My friend initiated a conversation
which her seat companion seemed eager to pursue. I was proud of my friend and
also of the fellow passenger for sharing some information about her life and
some of her sight challenges.
As Halloween is here again this year, I am
reminded of another friend. When the
trick or treaters came to her door, my friend would open the door holding her
white support cane in front of her. She would ask the children if they knew the
meaning of her white cane. If they did, they got their treat immediately. If
they didn’t, my friend would treat the little ones to a brief explanation before
she handed out the candy.
My point? Well, there are many different
ways to promote white cane awareness and to educate others about the significance
of the white cane.
Happy Halloween to everyone!
Always enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteDorothy