Welcome to White Cane Connections.

My name is Sue Boman. Yes, that’s me in the picture posted here. I have called this blog White Cane Connections because I am one of the many people who use a white cane. I began this blog because I wanted to write about a project I undertook in 2012. The plan was to complete a series of walks using my white cane. Between March and September, I walked in 82 different locations across Canada. So, the blog begins by telling of my experiences and the many people I met along the way.

While this particular journey has now been completed, I find that I still have much to write about. I am continuing to make new white cane connections, and so for the time being I will continue to add regular posts to this blog. I am hoping that you will be a partner in the journey.

Sue


Sunday, 12 March 2023

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.

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