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.
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| Dixie, Irma, and Sue |
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| Awareness walk for white cane users |
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