Hi, my brother is blind. Whenever we are out and he is using his cane, nothing really happens. I only notice kids staring sometimes, but i guess that's normal, because those kids probably don't know what's up with my brother. It might also be because my brother has a schisis.

So really, the only people that will be staring are kids, because they see someone who's different. I don't really mind it, and obviously, my brother doesn't see them. If you find it annoying, you could always tell them to "take a picture, it'll last longer"

Good luck :)

Really op?

How selfish of a person are you??

How dare you LIMIT your sons potentional of INDEPENDANCE just because of your fear of stigma!!

Seriously!!

a white cane is our INDEPENDENCE!

what a shitty shallow parent you are, go smash yourself into a fucking wall a few hundred times, go tie a black sock around your head, so you cant see, then try walking around the house, the streets you live on, how well do you get around without seeing where your going!!

As a blind person my entire life, I'm so angry that you could even think of limiting your sons potential!!

I'm in a power wheelchair, am hearing impaired, legally blind & have mild Aspergers & learning disabilities.. I have had over 25 surgeries & procedures to try to save my sight, but 10 yrs ago, quit, now I just accept my eyes as they are.

I have been on my own since age 15!

Without my white cane, I can not go anywhere on my own, as I cannot see well enough to get around without it..

Also a white cane lets people know that you cant see well, it also will help if we bump into someone, or trying to get on a bus, lets the driver know that we need our stop called out..

Try looking up STEVIE WONDER, hes completely blind, uses a white cane (when not guided by his staff/family), & is massively successful..
http://www.steviewonder.org.uk
or
http://kjlhradio.com

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Hey dude.
Whilei find several of your comments a little offensive, I understand where you're coming from. As a young dad (to non visually impaired / blind kids), I really appreciate and recognize your commitment to your little fella.
His cane is a key. When you've got a key you've got acesss. It's access to his independence. A key to him learning about his true self value and learning about his environment.
In the future when I need a cane, im going to rock it and own it, like I do with being bald. It'll be a part of my life. Although I have a low opinion on life, I chose to rock it and roll. I read a book by $1. A blind guy who claimed Mt Everest. What did you do today!?

I spent right at 4 months at a blind school getting training, as I'm new to being legally blind and i seen this happen with the parents all the time. The best thing you can do is just step back and let him go at his own pace and try all kinds of new things, I know it will be hard but it truly is for the best. You wouldn't believe the amount of parents that did more harm then good to their kids by always doing everything for them over half of them didn't even know how to wash some clothes or even properly clean their room. It was so common that when you first arrived they had somebody come to your room and supervise over you while they had you clean it because they had to find out if you knew how to clean up for yourself. The new kids that came in were so hungry for knowledge on how to do everything themselves and be independent so they can go out and be free since they have been sheltered their whole life. To the people staring don't worry about it I'm 6 foot 4 and look like an NFL linebacker and they still stare at me most people have never been around anybody that is blind and they are just curious I know I was when I first got to The Blind School and was surrounded by all kinds of blind people.

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I think it's important to ask your son how he feels about using a cane. His take on the situation will probably help guide your perspective and emotions more. Perhaps he is having difficulty at school getting around and whatnot and hasn't expressed it yet. Or maybe he does feel uncomfortable with a cane in public. Personally I don't really see the negative stigma so much in society, but obviously I'm not in the circumstance your in and have no idea what it's like to be a mother of a child with an unfortunate genetic disorder. If he decides he would like to learn using a cane, (this is crucial) make sure you get him an extremely $1 cane. There are some really awesome hand crafted ones. No need to look at it from the negative side, I'm pretty sure my 3rd grade self and probably most other 3rd grade males would find it basically kick ass and eccentric.

I understand where you are coming from. I was diagnosed with RP in my early 20’s, My vision has gradually gotten worse over time. I turn 38 soon and up till about two years ago I would not use my cane. Like your son in famlure place i had no problems getting around. But I started using my can because at work and in the public i started having issues with my peripheral vision and color contrast. I have walked into many filling cabnets and walls and people, I have tripped on many stairs and curbs. When i am out with family or friends that have better vision than I , I use my cane like a walking stick. When i am out on my own and don’t feel comfortable with my surroundings or in a crowed place I use my cane the way I was trained. So your feelings are understandable, there is a stigma around people that are different. Thie thing is you have to accept your son’s disability. Talk to his teacher and go learn with him, A white cane is not a crutch it is a tool and if it makes him feel better or safer having it then so should you. Find local support groups like “The Foundation for Fighting Blindness”, or if in Canada “The Canadian Council of the Blind. You are not the only parent that has gone throught this, I think loosing your sight is the worst thing in the world, but if you don’t embrace it and learn to adapt it to your lifestyle not adapt to the disability, the disability will win and life won’t be all that it should be. Hope this help.

I work for a company which provides community housing for adults with developmental disabilities one of the guys who I care for is blind and he is the first blind person whom I've had real contact with. He uses a cane in public and to be honest I am amazed every time we go somewhere. The way he uses his cane is awesome! I've never noticed anyone staring in public outside from kids who seem to be looking just out of curiosity. Every adult we've encountered haven't looked at us any more than anyone else.

Late to the post but hi! How is your son going with the training?

I have albinism (OCA) and started using a cane when I was 16. Would definitely have benefited from one earlier - and probably would have felt less self conscious about it.

I now get around with a giant black Labrador. I much prefer my guide dog to my cane. Are you involved with NOAH or any of the parent groups on FB? They might be some support/reassurance for you.

Your son is going to find his way in the world and thrive. I know other people with albinism who are doctors, teachers... personally I've just finished my masters in screenwriting and will be starting my PhD this year. It's not going to hold him back.

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