February 18 - White Canes

Last week I was at a presentation by a VLR orientation and mobility specialist demonstrating the different kinds of white canes. (VLR stands for Vision Loss and Rehabilitation.) Alex showed the group four types of canes and the various tips that could be attached to them. She explained how each tip was useful in detecting different ground surfaces. She stressed the benefits of using a cane when a person is visually challenged. She also stated that it was important for each person to find a cane that was most useful for his or her own situation.

I have had occasion to use each type of cane. In the early days of my vision loss, I tried a thin identity cane. The identity cane is held out in front of the user and its purpose is to alert others who might see the white stick and give them a heads up as to the low vision of the user. This would supposedly give them a hint to give the carrier of the identity cane a wider berth. Personally I didn’t find this helpful at all. Most people failed to notice the cane much less recognize its significance.

Then, after my knee surgery last year I tried a support cane. This cane is sturdy and although it is white in colour, I didn’t find that it carried any more significance than brown, black or gray canes with the same support function. While the cane was useful in supporting me with my healing knee, it didn’t give me an indication of the ground surface in front of me. It was useful in detecting the depth of a step – provided that I didn’t fall on the step in the first place!

For me the most useful cane has been the long mobility cane. I was amazed when I first tried out this cane in the hallway at a CNIB office. As I followed the sweep of the cane in front of me I felt a new confidence in moving forward. I could tell the difference in ground surface – tile or carpet – and I could follow along the sides of the hallway as the cane tip hit the edges.

Now you would think that with this amazing new freedom, I would be set to roll. This wasn’t the case. When I arrived home, I was hesitant to use my new cane in my local neighbourhood. I’m not sure why there was this juxtaposition of attitude. The positive benefit of using the white cane was obvious. I felt safer and more confident in my movements. Why then the reluctance?

I have spoken with other white cane users who have experienced a similar feeling. Partly, it is the idea of feeling different. We don’t like to draw attention to what could be regarded as a disability. There is an unspoken stigma. Some people have also spoken of the fear of being taken advantage of when the cane so clearly indicates their inability to see. Even now I sometimes choose when I will use my cane and when I can manage without it. In familiar indoor settings, I can find my way unaided by my cane. In busy unfamiliar settings I feel lost without it.

Using a white cane isn’t only a practical step forward in a journey with vision loss. There is also an emotional and psychological hurdle to overcome. While not being able to see is the obvious driving force behind deciding whether or not a person should take up a white cane, there are often other underlying factors that complicate making such a decision. For me, the benefits outweigh any negative outcomes.

There is a picture with this post. I am standing on one of the walking trails near our home. It is winter and the colour of my cane tends to blend in with the snowy conditions.

Sue with cane on a snowy path

February 7 - Feeling Discouraged

I am not usually easily discouraged. In fact, generally speaking I am fairly optimistic. This was not the case on a day last week.

I was at Smart Life in Calgary. Smart Life is an organization that offers an opportunity to try out various assistive devices for people who are visually challenged. Smart Life also offers training in using the equipment. I was there to see what was new and also to get some help in using my smart phone.

I can do quite a bit with my phone. With an audible Siri, I can send and receive text messages. I can use my voice to call numbers on my contact list. I can listen to the time and temperature in multiple cities around the world. I can hear the battery level on the phone and even turn the flashlight and camera on and off. In spite of all this, I know that there is much that I can’t do and don’t know about. This was obvious when I met with Curtis who was my trainer for the afternoon.

At first Curtis tried to lead me through enlarged print on the screen. Then he tried different colours of print on different coloured backgrounds. While I appreciated these efforts, I knew that I would not be able to see the print. As we eliminated each variation, it was discouraging to admit each time, and time again, that I couldn’t see what was on the screen. It reminded me of my early days of vision loss when I needed to describe what I was seeing, or rather not seeing, to employers, doctors and friends.

Anyway, after losing the efforts with print, Curtis went on to demonstrate Voice Over and Screen Speak to me. These are two audible programs that I would be able to use with my phone. Both would give me more information than I was currently using with Siri. Curtis was patient with his guidance and I was doing not too badly. The discouraging part was that it was so much to learn. I came away from the lesson feeling flooded with information and discouraged by the idea that I had a new learning challenge.

This was a week ago now. In the meantime, Curtis has generously emailed me the gist of how to operate the two new systems and I am trying! Possibly the best piece of information that Curtis gave me was that whatever I did, I wouldn’t break my phone. This has given me the impetus to be more adventurous with my phone and the incentive to experiment with more finger taps and gestures. I am trying to stay optimistic and not be too discouraged with temporary failures.