January 18 - I have low vision

Lyle and I are travelling again. Lucky us!  We are on a ten-day cruise in the south Caribbean.

Of course I am using my white cane nearly all the time. There are unfamiliar places on the ship and on the shore. However, if you have ever been on a cruise you will know that much of the time is spent sitting at a table and eating. When we indulge in this paericular activity I have a little badge which is most helpful.

My badge reads, "I have low vision."

My white cane might be folded and on my lap or on the floor, but my low vision badge is prominently pinned to my shirt. The serving staff nearly always notice this and have been helpful and attentive. Kudos to Holland America line.

January 11 - Support Groups

While I might be the first to admit that support groups aren’t for everyone, I do highly recommend them. I remember that when my sight first changed, I was quite resistant to the thought of attending such a group. It took me a while to get used to the idea that sharing some of my vision challenges with other people could actually be helpful. I have now belonged to a peer support group for over 20 years and find it very helpful indeed.

Support groups are also a good way of sharing information. Guest speakers can be good, but mostly I like the informal sharing that occurs between the group members themselves. For instance, at our support meeting this past week, one of the members was having trouble with the magnifier she had been using. Suddenly around the table there appeared a plethora of hand held magnifiers pulled out of pockets and purses. Members began talking about the pros and cons of the magnifiers they used. While I can’t use a hand held magnifier myself, (the magnification isn’t strong enough for me), I was able to join the discussion with some comments about my electronic CCTV Reader.

Next month there will be a guest speaker at our group. Janice, a mobility specialist from CNIB will come to our meeting. She will instruct us about the various types of white canes that are available. Janice has come to our group before but since that visit, several of our members have seen the need to use a cane and so it is time for another lesson for us all. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough so that we can practice outside.

I am often quite surprised when new members come to our group. Frequently they will arrive with the comment that they hadn’t known of the existence of the group. I am surprised because we live in a small town and the group has been meeting for over twenty years. Also, we occasionally put articles in the local paper. I suppose that it is like most things. If an issue doesn’t affect you personally, the tendency is to be unaware of it. Because the White Caners Support Group is significant in my life, I have naively presumed that it was important for everyone. 

So now to helpful hints. If you have a problem – vision or otherwise, do give participating in a support group some thought. There are usually national groups that will direct you to smaller local groups. If it is issues with your sight, the CNIB or CCB (Canadian Council for the Blind) are both good options in your quest. Secondly, when you locate a group, take a friend with you to the first meeting. This is helpful not only at the meeting itself, but later your friend can help you evaluate your thoughts about continuing to attend. Finally, do give the group more than one try. Usually membership in support groups is fluid and the feel of any particular meeting can be influenced by just who is attending that day.

I hope that if the idea of becoming part of a support group appeals to you, that you find one that suits your needs. On a personal note, I find the friendship and peer support to be helpful and emotionally healthy. If you aren’t looking for a support group yourself, perhaps you could be that friend who helps someone else.

January 2 - Happy New Year

The New Year has begun and so I want to wish us all a happy and healthy year ahead in 2019. I’m sorry I didn’t put up any posts during the holiday season but we had two little two-year old grandchildren running around our house, and while this was enormous fun, I spent considerable time trying to stay out of the way.

Holiday times, birthdays and other special occasions often find me feeling a little nostalgic. This year I found myself in a different space of reflection. It occurred to me that I have now spent nearly half of my lifetime as a visually impaired person. In fact, unless I am in unfamiliar surroundings or confronting new situations, I rarely focus on the fact that I am legally blind.

Do I even remember what it is like to be fully sighted? I’m not sure that I do. I certainly don’t spend any time thinking that I used to be able to drive a vehicle or see the printed word. I am becoming more used to people identifying themselves to me when we meet on the street or in the store. I do recall that originally I was quite sensitive about this. These days I am just grateful for the information.

Perhaps all this means that I am finally becoming adjusted. I am looking forward to 2019. Lyle and I have a few adventures planned and God willing, weather permitting, it should be a good year. I wish the same to all of you.