March 22 - White Cane Beginners

The other day I was speaking with a woman who, with her recent vision loss, was learning how to use a white cane.  Our conversation took me back to my own early experiences with the use of my white cane.  These beginning days and experiences were accompanied with varying emotions.

Although it is many years ago now, I remember one instance quite vividly.  I was staying with friends in the city.  While they were at work during the day, I decided to exert my independence and take my white cane for a walk around the block.

It was one of my first times to take such a step, and I was nervous.  Just as I closed the front gate behind me, I heard a youngster across the street shout out in a loud mocking tone,  “Look!  There’s a blind guy….a blind guy….a blind guy!”

I was pretty agitated by these bullying taunts.  Should I go back inside or just keep walking?  Then I heard a second voice.  The first boy’s friend had also noticed me.  “You fool,” he said, “that’s not a guy, it’s a girl!”

I relaxed and almost smiled at the absurdity of it all.  I was a grown woman and hadn’t been called “a girl” for years.  I determined not to let the taunts bother me.

I remembered all this as I spoke with the friend at the beginning of this story.  The beginning steps with a white cane aren’t always easy.  Bravo to those who step out with the courage to be different. Below is a picture of me with my white cane.

 

Sue with her white cane

 

 

 

March 12 - Blind Frustration

Initially, I wasn't sure if I wanted to title this post “Blind Frustration” or “Vision Inadequacy.”  Both subject lines seemed to cover the way I was feeling - and yes, before you ask, both titles revolved around my frustration with technology.

Ah…. technology!  Certainly the digital age is here, but I am confused. On the one hand I am supremely grateful for the innovations and improvements that have been made to devices that make my life as a visually impaired person both manageable and easier.  On the other hand, I am flummoxed when these same devices stop functioning the way they are supposed to.

The audible program on my computer is really quite amazing.  Although I am unable to see the print on the screen, my program reads it to me.  I can send and receive emails and search the internet as well.  As I say, amazing!  That is, until for some inexplicable reason, the whole thing stops.  I can see enough to know that there is a new box on the screen with additional instructions, but I can’t see well enough to fix the problem.  I am at a stand still.  It is hugely frustrating.

I love my phone - that is, unless I am hating it.  I love being able to send and receive audible text messages.  It is great that I can ask Siri to dial phone numbers for me.  He can tell me other information, such as the weather or temperature outside, and it is all with an Australian accent no less.  What I don’t understand is why at odd and inconvenient occasions, the screen on my phone chooses to go to a different setting and I am unable to even answer a simple phone call.  In a flash I seem to go from feeling competent and independent to feeling helpless and inadequate.

It is all a bit of a paradox.  However, on the whole I am glad that the good days with technology far outweigh the occasional glitches with the system.  I just need to remind myself of this when these moments of frustration impinge on an otherwise sunny day.

March 3 – Driving...or Not!

Recently I have been writing a short family history that I intend to give to our children. Actually, I began this project during COVID but as the restrictions were lifted and our days of isolation became fewer and far between, my writing ambitions decreased. It is only in the last couple of weeks that I have looked back on my project. One of the stand out topics seemed to be around driving.

In my youth, I loved driving. I loved being behind the wheel and the independence that came with it. I was the one who decided on direction, speed and destination. When I moved to Canada, one of my goals was to drive across the country.

As it turned out, fate intervened, and when Lyle and I finally made that trip in 2012, it was Lyle who did the driving as we began the White Cane Connections journey.

My sight changed quite suddenly in 1986. One day I was able to drive and the next day I couldn’t see well enough to be behind the wheel. It was a huge blow and definitely a life changer. For me, there was no question but that my driving days were over.

In view of my own experience, I have great empathy for other people who need to give up their driver’s license. I even have a pang of sympathy when they tell me that they know they shouldn’t be driving but still hang on to that small measure of independence. I say only a small pang because the question remains to ask how would they feel if they were to be an accident because of their failing sight. Some respond that they would take that chance. After all, it is their life to do as they wish. But then there is the second part of the question. How would they feel if someone else was involved in the accident. How would they feel, if for example, their vehicle hit a child, or anyone else for that matter. Giving up driving is a small price to pay.

I still miss driving. I miss the pleasure of being behind the wheel and the independence of having my own vehicle. However, as have many others in similar situations, I have learned to adjust. Basically, if you think that maybe you shouldn’t be driving then the solution is simple. Don’t!