Since writing the last post on this blog, I have been thinking of the many people I met on my 2012 white cane journey. Many of the names have drifted to the back of my memory bank, but I remember the connections we made. The people I met were supportive and encouraging. Without exception, they were enthusiastic about spreading an awareness of what the white cane means to people who are blind and partially sighted.
This enthusiasm was immediately evident when Bill, a complete stranger at the time, got wind of my proposed trek and contacted me to ask what he could do to help. After persuading me to begin my white cane walks in his hometown of Seschelt, Bill whirled into action. At this point, I must mention that Bill was completely blind. He didn’t use a white cane himself but used the “eyes” of his guide dog.
Before I arrived, Bill planned a walking route, contacted media, made a presentation to the town council and arranged for several councilors to join the walk on the big day. Somehow or other, he managed to talk the mayor into not only joining us but into wearing a blindfold, using a white cane and being led by a sighted guide. Bill made sure that the route we were to follow passed by several sidewalk obstacles – broken pavement and overhanging branches – obstacles which he pointed out to town representatives. Members of Bill’s support group joined the walk as did members of the local Legion and Lions Groups. Shop Owners who had been alerted in advance, applauded and cheered us as we walked by. The day was a huge success.
Bill’s generosity of spirit was fairly typical of the people I met. Bill asked nothing in return for his efforts. In supporting me, he was part of a venture which supported an awareness of the challenges of people with limited or no sight. The White Cane Connections walk was his way of contributing.
There were many other people who lent their support as I made my way across the country and it was a privilege to hear their personal stories. People in every province had something to offer.
In British Columbia, I walked along the seawall with members of the Nanaimo CCB chapter. I walked with Sue and her guide dog in Osoyoos. After a walk around downtown Golden, Lyle and I were treated to a meal by fellow white cane user, Lesley and her husband.
In Alberta, I sat beside my friend, Dorothy as she tied tiny ribbons to the ends of hundreds of book marks that I planned to distribute on my walks. Dorothy followed my blog entries with supportive comments of my progress for my entire journey.
In Saskatchewan, I walked with a group around the lake trail in Regina and then chatted over coffee and goodies in the CNIB auditorium.
In Manitoba, a group of us followed the CNIB rabbit mascot on one of the windiest days of the walks. This was also a special day because our daughter-in-law joined us for the walk.
In Ontario, I especially remember walking in Kingston. It was here that the father of the four-year old whom I mentioned in my last post, insisted on handing me a $20 bill. He wanted to support the walk to promote an awareness of white cane users. He said that although his son was only four, as his boy grew older he would benefit from what we were doing that day and he wanted to do his part.
In Quebec, we stopped in at Drummondville and met the president and staff members of HumanWare. This organization gears its business to creating innovative devices and software programs for people who “See Things Differently”. Their home page mission statement says it all.
In New Brunswick I walked around the streets of Moncton with two delightful women who explained to me the challenges for people with disabilities when it came to getting around their city.
In PEI, after walking around the historic downtown area of Charlottetown, we were treated to conversation and lobster rolls by David and David. Thank you so much!
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, I was able to talk with a support group of newly blind adults and later met with Leona. I knew Leona from our shared connection with CNIB in Alberta
In Cape Breton, I met Louise, the national president of CCB. With her friends and members of the blind and partially sighted curling team, we walked around Sydney and shared stories over coffee and muffins.
Finally in Newfoundland, we walked around St. John’s. It was only days after a summer hurricane, and the streets were littered with fallen branches. The group I met there pointed out some of the more permanent obstacles to pedestrians with sight challenges.
I know that this list seems long, but I have scarcely touched the surface. Lyle and I walked in over eighty communities and met hundreds of people who shared in our enthusiasm to spread an awareness of the challenges faced by people who used a white cane as a mobility tool. These were the people who were the connections in my White Cane Connections Walks. Thank you all so much!
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