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