Using the cane gave me a strange feeling. During the pandemic I haven’t had many opportunities or need to use my cane. I simply haven’t been out to many places. We haven’t been travelling and I haven’t even been inside our grocery stores. Over the past year, Lyle has done the bulk of our shopping. When we go for outside walks, I am able to take Lyle’s arm or walk beside a friend. My white cane has fallen into disuse.
Now we come to yesterday. Lyle explained the set up of the table and security guard inside the hospital’s main door and I set off from where he waited in the parking lot. This might seem a bit of a non-event for those of you who can see, but I can assure you that for me, it was adventure enough.
I remember reading a comment in a book by a newly blind adult. The author explained that he had no need to climb Mt. Everest or single handedly cross the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. He would leave those exotic adventures to others. For him, a walk to the corner of a busy city street was exciting enough to set the adrenalin flowing. I totally understand his perspective. Not being able to see where you are going, but going anyway, is sufficient to set my pulse racing.
My mini adventure of yesterday has reminded me that I need to continue to practice my white cane skills. Practice makes perfect or at least if not perfect, then at least practice will help me to maintain a reasonable degree of confidence. I am looking forward to the day when Lyle and I can resume our travelling adventures and I can renew the use of my white cane on a more regular basis.
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