June 6 - White Cane Connections - The Trails

Although I began my cross Canada walks in 2012, it was nearly a year before that time when I began thinking of the idea of a larger project. I remember that I had been walking with Lyle on a trail that was unfamiliar to us both. The gravel path was uneven and I was having trouble following the surface with my white cane. I found myself wondering how my cane might respond to different surfaces. Indeed, were there ground surfaces that would render my cane ineffective? Where could I go to test out some of these surfaces? Did other white cane users experience the same challenges as I did? As I pondered the answers to these questions, a potential plan began to take shape in my mind. It would still be several months before this vague idea became more concrete and the White Cane Connections walks were set in motion.

I suppose that in a way my white cane journey started even years before that. My sight changed when I was a young adult and using a cane was an evolving learning experience. I began my life as a partially sighted person with an identity cane. This cane was small, light weight and for my purposes pretty useless. For the few times that I ventured outside with it, I found the cane not at all helpful. I didn’t feel safe. Sure, possibly others might notice the cane and identify me as someone with limited sight but the cane wasn’t long enough to help me move around safely and independently.

It was actually several years after that inauspicious beginning when a CNIB staff person noticed my discomfort with the identity cane. She suggested that I try the longer mobility cane. At first I was hesitant. I had been so frustrated with the smaller white stick that I carried around. Now here was this woman suggesting that I carry an even larger one. Still, in the office that day I was prepared to give it a go. After five minutes of instruction, my world changed. I think that I even shed a few tears of relief. The freedom of independent mobility offered by the cane was tremendous.

It was a rocky start but over the years, my awkwardness in handling the cane has gradually dissipated. In 2012, I was even excited to think that I would be testing my cane over so many different terrains. In the year of the White Cane Connections, I walked my cane over city sidewalks, pavements of irregular brickwork, pressed dirt and  gravel. I travelled across Canada stopping to walk in over 80 cities, towns, villages, parks and hamlets. Sometimes Lyle and I walked alone and at most other times we walked with groups of other white cane users.

I was always interested to hear their personal stories, but past this the conversation nearly always got around to tales of accessibility. What were the areas of their locale that were either inaccessible or unfriendly for people who used a cane or other mobility device? Were paving stones uneven so that canes were caught in the cracks? Were there audible signals as well as visual prompts on traffic lights?  Were fire hydrants, signs, trees, shrubbery, lamp posts situated inappropriately on sidewalks for people with low or no vision? Were there areas in the neighbourhood where improvements could be made? Had these issues been brought to the attention of local councils? Would our white cane walks serve to bring an awareness to people who were in a position to make changes?

As I think back, I am pleased to report that on a number of occasions, the White Cane Connections Walks did make a difference. Promises and changes were made. Perhaps when you are out walking this week on the trail in your neighbourhood you might keep an eye out for obstacles that might be a challenge for the blind and partially sighted community. Let’s all work together to make our trails accessible for everyone.