Today for the first time ever I walked uptown and back carrying my white ID cane the whole time. I’ve had one for many years and used it lots when I’m travelling on my own but never here in my home town. I still don’t need it to feel my way around but since my sight has deteriorated a bit recently and I’ve been having a bit more trouble determining whether or not there is a car coming, I decided it’s safer to use it than not. The gorgeous sunshine made the idea of a walk very appealing but it also makes it difficult for me to see.
A few months ago I scrapped the quick and convenient transport of my bicycle, unless of course I’m taking a particularly safe route and the lighting is just right, and of course it’s not rush minute here in teeny weeny Port Elgin. So today when I had a few errands to run and my driver was not available, I took out my little traffic safety beacon and headed out on foot.
Actually, I second guessed my decision several times before I left the house. It all happened within the few minutes it took to put on my coat and shoes; maybe I’ll leave it in my purse till I’m walking back with the sun in my eyes…but no, there’s that trouble spot right up the block…well I can just get it out then…but sometimes a situation arises unexpectedly when I wish I had it in my hand… okay, I’m getting it out now and keeping it out!
So that’s what I did. It was fine. Nobody pointed and laughed. Nobody called me a faker when I looked at my watch. Oh yeah but there was that girl in the bank who looked at my cane and asked if I was going to wack people. I think she was intellectually challenged so I said no and then asked her if she knew what the cane meant. She said no so I told her it means I can’t see well, pointed to my checkered eye and told her it means the same thing. She said “you should have a dog” and walked away! I irritated myself for a second and then just chuckled. What can you do!?.
All in all, it was a good experience. I didn’t feel self-conscious and I did feel safer. It was the right thing to do today.
