ARE YOU BLIND ENOUGH TO USE A WHITE CANE?
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- WHEN ARE YOU BLIND ENOUGH TO USE A WHITE CANE? I'm not classified as totally blind and yet I felt bad about using a white cane even though there is no law against it. In this video I examine my feelings and how with the help of a friend I got over it and now use a white cane like every other tool in my arsenal - to help me cope with my vision problems. Low vision can make even the simplest tasks more difficult. When it comes to navigating streets and sidewalks using a white cane can be a lifesaver. As with all my videos in the COPING WITH BLINDNESS series,I am using my own experiences and sharing them in hopes they ma make someone elses life a little easier if they discover on piece of advice or one tool that they might not have thought about. Check out my other videos on my Beverly Gale fChannel or ways to make you happier, less stressed and to utilize current technology and tools for the visually disabled. Won't you join me in my journey?
Hello, I have been blind in one eye my whole life. I Have photophobia And can’t see very well in the dark. I’m going to be getting a white cane soon and I can’t wait for it to change my life. It will stop people cutting me up when I’m walking and I won’t have to focus so much on the floor anymore. Thank you for this video it has helped me as I was questioning wether or not I could get one.
being told by people that i'm "not blind enough" has to be one of the most hurtful things i hear. it's like being told im not good enough for a tube of aluminum.
The white cane has also been a great help and gives me a lot of confidence. At the beginning I had to be very patient.
I've been legally blind all my life. And up until 10 years ago I never use of cane. And I will be very honest with you it was a very bitter pill to swallow when I was giving it. I would only use it at first if I had to walk by myself. But you know what now I realize how helpful it is for me and wondered why I haven't used it all my life and why was encouraged to use it. If nothing else for your own safety so I encourage Anyone who reads this to please don't be stubborn get the cane it'll open up world for you and you'll be amazed as to how helpful people can be.
And thank you for sharing your story I know you'll inspire others to use the cane.
Hello Beverly, my name is Diego and I am from Colombia. I really liked your video considering that I am also blind and used the white cane. I work in an institute for the blind as a teacher.
I have Right Homonymous Hemianopsia and just got my first white cane. I was tired of tripping on things on my right side.
I've been legally blind since I was 14 and am now 57 but I just recently started carrying a white cane. I use it when I travel by myself or am in large crowded areas like theme parks. I also have central vision loss, Stargardts Disease..
You are best to be assessed for a cane for length and orientation and mobility to keep yourself safe
My wife is going blind we dont quite have a diagnosis ( beside some eye trauma when she was little ) and her vision is getting worse we decided it would be best for her to learn to use a cane now so she can still get around perfect once she loses more vision
I’m relating to everything you’re saying. Thank you this helps me so much
I have been legally blind for 17 years. I also have extream photophobia and am color blind. I used a cane in the beginning, I was robbed once in a mall bathroom stall. I reported it and the security didn't do anything because I fought them off with my cane. I stopped using my cane after that. I don't go anywhere alone now. I get accused of not being blind because I still have some vision. Knowone should be afraid to use a cane for their visual impairment. It's an extension of their eyes.
Thank you. My eyes are going quickly I am photophobic, Bright light is painful. I have no peripheral vision , and am extremely near sighted. I cannot see at night due to lights blind me then I cannot see anything else due to the lights. Plus I get like a kaleidoscope effect from shiny objects and water it is beautiful but kinda painful as well. I have a final Dr. appt. Then I guess I am just going to have to face it. And get a white cane or two. I appreciate these videos. I have been extremely self sufficient all my life and It helps to know that with some tools, and a bit of adaptation I can still remain so .For the most part.
Your vision seems like mine. I also have high myopia and amblyopia. My twin sister thinks my vision can be fixed based on her research online but I don’t think it can. She thinks I want to be blind because my best friend is blind. I’ve worn glasses my whole life and now I need one . I’m 22 and she just keeps invalidating me. But regardless I use a cane when I’m by myself and in November I pray that I will be accepted to do orientation and mobility.
@@flowerbunlove6182 I understand it can be difficult. There are people I know that say all kinds of things negative about me and the condition I find myself in. First NO ONE has the right to invalidate you, or your situation. Second, Keep this firmly fixed in your mind. Those that would pull, or tear you down are already beneath you. I am fortunate enough after my diagnosis to have Some Fam, and a couple of close friends to help me adjust. Not enable pity. But genuinely help me push forward, and lean into what it is. It does not suck, Yet it can be inconvenient. My life is still worth living. I will adapt, and overcome. Because I choose to. I wish you the absolute best, of life, love, and happiness. Because at the end of the day. we no longer need to look down to find our way ahead. We go slower, are more cautious. Thus we notice more, and each success is sweeter for the extra time spent in the right now. We live in the moment more because we must. Thus I have gained more that ever I have lost. I hope this helps your heart to see clearer. Cheers.
Thank you for uploading such a wonderful vid!! I can see well enough to drive, but things like navigating stores is very difficult . I also can't tell if I'm making eye contact or see what people's faces look like due to retinal damage. I have been thinking about getting a white identification cane from CNIB at some point for when I go to unfamiliar places, and watching your video has been helpful and positive.
Thank you, I needed this today
I had no idea that I was blind but I am ...and it takes some getting used to but hey that's a challenge something I'm going to have to get used to ... I thought it was a wind up but I am blind white canes guide dogs and wheelchairs will soon be a part of everyday living I guess I'm sure I will learn to adjust though I've gone through a lot in past years so blindness is just an added challenge
Very nice video. If you look into the meaning of the red stripes you will find your stick denotes vision AND hearing loss. One red stripe is bison. I too carry a white cane, but I use it everywhere I go. I have trouble with stairs and curbs. As well I have trouble with contrast, so the sidewalk and road are all the same and that causes a lot of tripping. But not with the cane.
Great video, thank you so much.
Thank you for this ... I needed to hear it 💜
Hey Beverly, Dear, First thing first . I was told yes it is prescribed, go to your services for the blind organization in your area. They will give you skills of two techniques by a oreintation and mobility instructor.to tap it in front going from right to left or a method of swinging it right to left with the ball tip to the ground but not too wide. keeping the coordination of swing it to the left as taking a right step. etc. Tips are important . Marshmallow is for use when a driver is in the house. Walking a lot I prefer a ball tip, Elementary looking but they work well with bad infrastructure. Federal law protects you so you don't get into legal trouble if hit with out it you would be liable. google state white cane laws for your state. The object of the cane is to enable you prevention of a fall . Protecting you from hard to see curbs cracks in sidewalks and other objects that you may not see. If you go out with friends at night to a dinner or a movie.It will come in handy. Inside a theater. I know it is prideful to see a object such as a cane and think of Stigma and helplessness. I have a husband who doesn't use one. He is totally blind.We both have Retinopathy of Prematurity.I was born blind in my right. Crossing streets your O and M instructor will tell you of being able to use what functioning side vision will help you see hopefully the activity of the behavior of the traffic. I do not always be able to see the walk signal.so Think of when you saw and how the behavior of the traffic was. the way the traffic is when say heading west the traffic if you are on the north side of the street it will be on your left side and If you are on the south side the right.coming toward the direction you are coming from. The instructor will give you confidence in the use and the more you use the better. Please speak to one and at least get together with one.In my state we have Vocational rehabilitation and also the services for the blind. If you use a Pc then the agency would be possibly easy to find or if you use a Jitterbug ask the operator to help you find the number.Well Please have a safe Happy Thanksgiving.Brave lady, Be safe.
Pin this comment, because I was going to say the same. I just found this and thought it was interesting that Ms. Beverly could get a white cane without contacting DBVI , at least. Shocking that it was so easy to obtain.
Actually, to be specific, it depends which state you are in, but there is in fact laws forbidding sighted people from using a white cane. Basically all the statutes say a sighted person can't use a white cane to procure services for the blind. I also believe depending on where you are if you are using a white cane and are hit by a car and you try to use it to benefit you and you are not visually impaired it is a criminal act. If you look up white cane laws it will tell you all about it.
Amen!
I'm legally blind with 20/200 and 20/400 but functional enough to ride a bike during the day.
I have the "all terrain cane" which is rugged for trails, and the "see me cane" which lights up when im walking at night.
I wonder if I should use a cane while riding an E-Bike.
I'm also thinking about trying an EUC, but I'm afraid I might look ridiculous using a cane.
I like the idea of letting others know that I'm visually disabled by using the cane though.
Never let disability to you ...don't fight it ,work with it my advice to anyone is make friends with your blindness orwhatever disability youmight have its part of you acceptance is everything I guess
i COULDN'T AGREE MORE. wONDERFUL PHILOSOPHY!
Hi, I’m blind in one eye and the vision in my other eye started changing in July/aug 2020 so I might have different vision every day. I use a cane too
I have night blindness and I'm worried that its not appropriate for me to use a cane at night 😞
hi gram nonnie!!!!
Hi there Beverly I'm Sam , I've been legally blind and had vision problems throughout my entire life I have congenital nystagmus which is involuntary movement of the eyes I am completely blind in my right eye I also have astigmatism and myopia at 12 years old I developed glaucoma which up until now has taken most of my peripheral vision so I can only see what's directly in front of me that is opposite of what you encounter with your visual issues by central vision is fairly good but not that clear . I am legally blind under the rules of the federal government yes I do receive disability benefits. I've gotten by most of my life without the use of a Cane I've had orientation and Mobility training to learn how to get around safely with my limited visions I was never offered a white cane but here I am now at 49 years old I decided to just grab a white cane on my own and start using it I use it for identification when crossing streets because I cannot always see the traffic around me I have almost gotten hit by cars because I don't notice that one vehicle that suddenly makes a turn while I'm in the middle of a crosswalk. I went through about 2 years of debating should I use one should I start using one I'm not blind enough that was the same thought I had I did some research here on UA-cam and online only to find that people like you can use a cane if they want to there are other people with low vision that refused to use one and will not use one. Throughout my life I have used many other assistive devices magnifiers Etc but never a cane I learned about a particular cane called an ID cane which is primarily used just to let people around you know that you have a vision problem. I've also recently learned that I have cataract formation and I do notice this I am getting night blindness Halos around lights severe blindness from car headlights so I do use a cane at night for full Mobility as well I'm glad that I've started using it and I will not turn back some state laws to mention that you should not use a white cane if you're not blind or visually impaired or partially blind whatever they identify as partially blind but I will use mine no matter what even if I have to fight to use it which I don't think it'll go that far. I get so much help drivers are so much more cautious when they see me with my cane crossing the streets thank you for sharing your video. One very helpful thing is that my family is 100% supportive they never thought I would start using a cane but they are now happy that I do use one .
Hi Sam, I just found this section on comments and thought I would reply to those that took the time to write to me. Thanks for taking the time to say hi and introduce yourself. My problem doesn't seem as serious as yours. i applaud the fact you are on UA-cam. I just went to your Amazon dot unboxing video and viewed it. I am not very tech savvy. I liked your video and the music you used to accompany it. I hope to add music to my videos someday! I hope you have found some of my videos helpful, if not entertaining. I'm starting a new series aimed at parents with kids who have allergies and want a pet. Hope you have a chance to check it out.
Beverly Gale hey there Beverly I will definitely check that video out I like to thank you for going over to my channel and watching my videos I do have a playlist as well of visually impaired videos how I get around and explain a little bit more about my visual impairment. Didn't think I was going to get a reply but I'm really glad that you replied to me. Well you keep using your cane and stay safe when you're out and about take care I don't remember if I've asked this before by the way real quick or maybe it's in your video and I probably just don't remember did you have any Mobility training on how to use the cane or did you just grab it on your own and start using it? Like I said in the previous comments I just grabbed mine and started using it on my own for identification getting some official formal training with the cane is in my definite future should I need it if my vision begins to get worse which from the looks of it it looks like it's slowly is. Well anyway thanks for sharing once again and thanks for replying
Hey Gail one more thing I should let you know I have coped with my visual impairment all my life never wanted to talk about it always try to hide it now I'm a lot more open-minded and willing to talk about it I also have a video series on my channel explaining my visual impairment and things I used to help me with daily activity I can not read my bills or newspapers without using assistive devices and now this includes my white cane as well.
Hi Sam, I have 2 computers one with a 32" 4K screen and one that is a 42" screen and I still need assistive devices to read them! Reading and doing finite things are my biggest challenges. I recently began a new venture selling on eBay and my biggest challenge is learning everything from scratch ie...all the rules, regulations and shipping hassels. Oddly the one thing I can do well is take great photos. I think I owe most of that to my phone which takes incredible shpts but I guess steady hand helps with that as sell. Lots of challenges with limited vision. My friends can't believe I'm doing this.:)
I saw this video because I am currently trying to figure out if a cane would be useful for me. I am 15 years old, I have ocular albinism which caused macular nerve hypoplasia and ocular nerve hypoplasia, as well as nystagmus and nearsightedness (the only one that anything can be done about). I have roughly 20/80 vision when it's corrected so I won't ever be able to drive. I don't know if a cane would help me or not, because I have trouble reading things like street signs, and my depth perception is bad. It took me a while to realize that I trip on uneven paths a lot more than other people, and I feel like knowing where the uneven parts are ahead of time might help me, but I'm afraid of the idea that I'm not blind enough to really need a cane, or that if I get it I won't use it and my mom will consider it a waist. Thank you for putting out this video, it's helped me feel at least a little better about the idea of considering a cane because even though I can function without one, it might be better with one. I also totally get the issue with traffic lights! I can see the colors on lights most of the time, but for busier streets or intersections without lights I find myself waiting for traffic to completely stop or clear before I feel comfortable enough to cross, because I can't tell how close the cars are to know if I have enough time to cross or not. Thank you for this video.
Getting a cane will help you feel more confident when crossing streets. It will arert drivers that you have a vision issue. It can help with uneven streets. It just takes some practice using it. Since a cane can be bought on line for under $15 and it will give you more confidence, it won't be a waste of money . Use it when needed and keep it handy.
Sonona yes get a cane but get in touch with whoever trains cane users local to you.
I call my cane my Wand Of Power.
Consider it this way the white cane is a tool to help you achieve a greater independence. My sight loss was diagnosed at the end of September 2016, I got my first cane training lesson beginning of July 2017.
Now my only anxious moments are when I cross roads (my sight loss is such that people vanish into the background (dependent on how strongly they contrast from the background) about 8 to 10 feet away)
Cars and other vehicles disappear according to contrast and size, driving towards me or side ways view as they cross a junction but they vanish between 15 to 30 feet away.
Between my white cane, and my iPhone I have far more independence than I expected when I was told just before my 55th birthday that I was going blind. Personally as I like to accessorise so I’m trying to work out a system on my cane that I can add some decorative elements that can be changed (so they can be washed or swapped out to match my outfit) without hiding the fact it is a white cane. I’m in the UK and not everyone recognises the coloured canes available as the same as the white cane so my personal choice is decoration goes on the handle and top sections leaving the other two or three sections white.
A smart phone will help you too. I have apps that help me know when I’m near the bus stop I want to get off at (Moovit is really good it gives alerts when you’re two stops away, one stop away and as you approach your stop), Soundscape and Lazarillo are brilliant when I’m walking at telling me which street I’m on and when junctions are coming up and what business, and other sites of interest are around me if I want to explore an area. Seeing A I is brilliant for reading street names, or a sign post in the local woodland area I like to walk alone in.
Embrace the tools available a carpenter uses a SAW to cut the wood, a HAMMER, or SCREWDRIVER to fix the pieces together with nails or screws- they are his tools the white cane is ours.
I have Right Homonymous Hemianopsia
i have bad photophobia and i have functional blindness in one eye and problems with depth perception do you think i should use a white cane? my photophobia is quite disabling. also im getting a powerchair soom due to other disabilities so is it worth it or is there something else i can use from a powerchair
I have functional blindness too im just starting out with orientation and mobility for my vision impairment. They said I should use a cane cause I keep injuring myself by running into stuff especially in dim light. My Drs donated t get it cause its functional I feel alone. Its good to know I'm not alone
They can see you but not what you see.