Thursday, August 10, 2017

Resolutions, and a Little on Canes

Welcome to the blog. Anita here with you this week with some things on my mind—blindness, cane travel, changes and resolutions to name a few.

Summer has blown by, and I find that I am out of shape. As I relax here on the couch, struggling to come up with a topic for this week's blog, I also ponder how I walked 1.8 miles today, something I haven't done all summer. I have been busy editing and revising “DUCKING INTO UEB”, a braille teaching program I created in collaboration with S.J. Wells that is expected to be published on September 30. More about that in the coming weeks.

Also in September, I will transition into a new decade of my life, and though it isn't January 1, I feel I want to make a New Year's resolution for myself just the same. And that is to live a healthier life and to always put others first. So I drank my last Coca-Cola yesterday. And, today, marks the first day that I am beginning to walk daily in order to start out my resolution early. I'm not sure how I'll help others yet, but I have a few weeks before my birthday to think on that.

Anyhow, walking makes me think of using my cane. It is a tool. Its key purposes are to keep me safe, to identify myself as blind to others, and to identify and to detect obstacles in my path. Sometimes, I also think of it as a guide since I use it to lead me on a given path as I walk; otherwise, I'd probably weave all over the sidewalk.

There are different types of canes. I own both a folding cane and a straight cane. The benefit to the folding cane is that I can fold it out of the way when in a vehicle or in a restaurant. Also, I prefer to use constant contact, and its tip tends to last a bit longer than my straight cane's tip does. The advantages to the straight cane are that it is very light in weight, it provides more audible feedback about the environment, and it has a round handle so I can use an open palm technique in which I open and close my hand rather than moving my wrist. For people who are learning to accept their blindness, this cane also demands to be used since it cannot be hidden from view and is more likely to be in one's hand and being used rather than stored in a car or bag.

Always remember it is Ok to be blind. The type of cane isn't as important, as the fact that you use it, and it keeps you safe. Be proud of your cane. Let it tell you about the upcoming drop-off, the metal trash can in front of you, or the change from a rough surface to a smooth surface. With your cane in hand, you can walk for exercise and also to make it to and from a variety of destinations on your own, and you won't have to wait for someone to have the time or to be bothered with doing for you what you can do for yourself.  I learned long ago, a cane gives me independence, and independence has the power to give me freedom to be who I am and to do what I want to do; it enables me to do things safely and confidently. As a result, my blindness will not control my life. Sure, it will still inconvenience me, as it will inconvenience you at times, but overall, we will be able to conquer its challenges with ease and confidence. And, that is what will give us the freedom to achieve our dreams, come what may.


Just FYI, the National Federation of the Blind offers free, long white canes to those who can not afford to buy one. For more information, go to this website, where you can learn about how to use and care for your cane, as well as order a free cane for yourself or a child under the age of 18.

What about you, faithful readers? Did your summer fly by too fast, too? We would love to hear from you, so drop us a comment anytime. Until next Thursday, have a great weekend and remember to count your blessings.

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