June 17 - A White Cane Lesson

Sometimes when I walk with my white cane I wonder why I need it. After all, I have memorized all the familiar routes around the town where I live. These were my thoughts as I made my way home from the hairdresser last week.

It was a pleasant day and I had maneuvered my way past the usual intersections and pedestrian crosswalks when I came to the halfway section of my route. When I heard the rumble of machinery I paused in my tracks. What could possibly be ahead of me? I was inching forward when a male voice called for me to “Stop right there!”

Now, while I have peripheral vision I don’t really have any worthwhile central vision, so I was quite surprised when a male figure popped out of a hole in the sidewalk in front of me. He explained that the town crew was working all along the sidewalk where I intended walking and therefore I should cross the street. He offered to help me with this. 

Once across the street, and because there was no paved sidewalk, the young man suggested that I might need additional assistance in getting to where I was going. I was hesitant about this. I really like to keep my independence, but Kelly – by this time I had ascertained his name – was both pleasant and gracious with his offer, so I accepted.

What a smart move on my part! It turned out that not only was the sidewalk blocked but there were several vehicles parked obstructing my way, and a different crew was painting lines on the pedestrian crosswalk where I would next need to be.

I learned two lessons that day. First, I should always carry and use my cane when I am out and about by myself. How else would Kelly have known that I needed some help? Secondly, I shouldn’t let my pride and wish for independence stand in the way of assistance when that help is offered.

June 11 - White Cane Walks

Walking with my white cane is something I do most days, but these past two weekends I have walked with an added purpose. On May 28, I walked with a Lions Club to raise funds for BC Guide Dogs, and last Monday, I walked with a group in a neighbouring town to raise awareness of white cane users. Walking with both groups reminded me of my White Cane Connections Walks in 2012. 

The guide dog walk was hosted by the Ponoka Lions Club. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides’ mission is to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them with dog guides at no cost. This is quite an ambition because the training of a guide dog does indeed involve a cost. There is the breeding of the puppies, the training of the young dogs, and the eventual matching of the dog with its new owner. There are a number of guide dog schools in North America and each has its own set of regulations. However, to be accepted by any of these schools the first qualification for any potential guide dog owner is that he or she must be skilled in the use of a white cane.

The second walk to promote an awareness of white cane users was organized by a local support group for people with visual challenges. The organizers did a great job in garnering local sponsorship and enlisting the support of the city librarian and participation of the mayor. This year the funds that were raised were going towards purchasing a new Victor Reader for the library. What a worthwhile goal!

I always enjoy these walks and try to participate whenever I am invited and when my own schedule permits. There are two photos with this post. The first shows Lions member Dixie, posing with myself and Irma. Dixie was prime organizer of the event and Irma is a friend from our vision loss support group.

The second photo was taken at the beginning of  the second walk. There are five of us in the photo. I am standing on the right with my cane in front. 

Dixie, Irma, and Sue

Awareness walk for white cane users

June 2 - Back to Vancouver

Fun, food and entertainment! Our seven day Alaskan cruise was all of these. It was definitely an escape from reality and I enjoyed everything. Above all, I think that for me, part of the relaxation of the cruise was a feeling of independence.

I knew that the ship was a finite location. Wherever I went on my own, I would never be lost. I used my cane constantly, especially as a signal so that other people could see me coming. Although this didn’t seem to work as well around the buffet food queues, it worked well everywhere else. I think that at the buffet, passengers were concentrating too hard on the vast variety of foods rather than on what anybody else happened to be doing.

I really did like the feeling of independent movement. For instance, at our stop at Ketchikan, I was tired after a day of walking around but Lyle wanted to see more. He took me to the top of the gangway and left me to negotiate my own way back to the cabin. This involved going through the security, finding my way on the elevator and walking the long hallway from the front of the ship to the stern. While this might not seem anything to someone with sight, I felt enormously pleased with myself at the accomplishment. I also felt good that Lyle had enough confidence in my ability to think that I could manage on my own.

As for the entertainment on board – well, it was excellent. There wasn’t enough time in seven nights to take it all in, but I have to mention Don Alexander. Each night at nine o’clock, Don played in the piano bar. What a talented musician! He played piano keyboard with his hands, a bass accompaniment with his left foot, and sometimes held and played a saxophone with his left hand while his right continued with the melody on the keys. Don was also a fine mimic and on three separate nights played and sang tributes to Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and Elton John. Don’s voice took on a very passable imitation of each. The music simply flowed from his head through his fingers. 

www.DonAlexanderMusic.com 

As you know, this was our first cruise experience, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little self indulgence and a positive change of pace.