Sticking To It
The upcoming Chengdu Marathon in late October is nothing short of serendipitous. Not only does it bless us with the perfect cool weather for running, but it also coincides with World Blindness Awareness Month. Today, October 15th, marks a significant date in the blind community - National White Cane Awareness Day. It's a day to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of visually impaired individuals and to celebrate the white cane, a symbol of their independence.
How the White Cane Empowers
Instead of relying on another person or a guide dog, the white cane acts as an extension of the user's arms and legs, granting them the ability to assess their surroundings and move safely. Beyond identifying obstacles like dips, stairs, curbs, manholes, and trees, it can help to overcome the challenge of transitioning between different surfaces, from pavement to grass to wood chips to sand. Additionally, the cane serves an important function by alerting those nearby to the user's visual impairment. This is crucial for cyclists, drivers (especially in China), and pedestrians, as it makes it more likely that they will offer adequate space for safer navigation. While the white cane can be a valuable tool for easier and safer mobility, there can be some reluctance among the blind to use it as they may feel uncomfortable broadcasting their handicap to the world.
Choosing Not to Stick Out
It's completely understandable why a blind person might opt to keep their blindness concealed, especially in familiar surroundings. Often, when people encounter a blind person, they can't help but feel a surge of pity. Pity comes from focusing on all the things a person can't do rather than what they might accomplish. This sets a low bar of expectations for the blind. Adding to this problem is the abundance of blind-related jokes in society, with characters like the bumbling Mr. Magoo, blithely traversing a world full of peril. This creates a cycle of stereotype reinforcement. People with limited vision may avoid using a white cane to shield their visual impairment from strangers, resulting in occasional collisions or clumsiness, thereby perpetuating the misguided notion that the blind are incapable and worthy of pity.
If only someone had shown Mr. Magoo the magic of the white cane, he wouldn’t have had to perpetuate the misguided notion that the blind are oblivious.
Embracing the “Magic Walking Stick”
As we prepare for Lionel’s future, we are trying to instill good cane habits. The steady, shoulder-width sweeping and using the wrist (not the arm) to guide the cane. However, we don’t pull out cane consistently enough. Lionel still has enough functional vision to see the ground below his feet and navigate the environment with relative ease. Although he doesn’t see changes in depth, he has an uncanny ability to remember where steps, stairs, and elevation changes are. Very rarely does he trip over the same place twice. Given Lionel’s self-assured strut when he walks, it often feels counterintuitive putting a white cane in his hand. Still, the cane is less about immediate necessity and more about preparing for the future.
Lionel’s eyesight diminishes entirely at night, making evenings perfect for what he calls his “magic stick” training sessions. While we hope for a cure, if there isn’t one, we want Lionel to be equipped with tools and techniques to continue to thrive independently.
For more information on White Cane Awareness Day, visit https://nfb.org/programs-services/blind-equality-achievement-month/white-cane-awareness-day
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