Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Got my cane; already seeing results in first two days! (self.Blind)
submitted 8y ago by Bob_0119
Thanks so much for everyone's feedback!
My first morning with the cane, I went to the 7-11 store I always go to in the morning on my way to work. It's always packed and that morning was no different. I walked over to the iced coffee as I do every morning, got my cup and as I slid it under the "mocha" tap, I noticed some kind of things taped to the dispenser handles. As I leaned in to see what they said, I heard a voice behind me say "mocha" as I turned he said "the other one's vanilla". Turns out the little paper simply said "press down" but I was thrilled at this random assistance, even if it wasn't exactly what I needed at the time. I made sure to say "thank you".
Today, I was walking across the street to get lunch. As I exited the building, a vehicle was pulling through the parking lot. It stopped. This is always the worst for me. I can see the vehicle, but I never know if the driver is waving me on or not. I don't want to just walk out so when they stop, I usually try to look away until they go (and I always feel like an asshole, especially if they *were* waving me on). Today though a guy behind me said "go ahead" and then quickly said "wait" as both he and the driver realized simultaneously that I couldn't see if they were waving or not.
I've also noticed strangers tend to say "Hi" more when they see me and certainly seem friendlier versus the usual expressionless silence of stranger passing.
I know this all sounds trivial, but I'm pretty excited to see such a dramatic change so suddenly. Again, thank you all so much!
My first morning with the cane, I went to the 7-11 store I always go to in the morning on my way to work. It's always packed and that morning was no different. I walked over to the iced coffee as I do every morning, got my cup and as I slid it under the "mocha" tap, I noticed some kind of things taped to the dispenser handles. As I leaned in to see what they said, I heard a voice behind me say "mocha" as I turned he said "the other one's vanilla". Turns out the little paper simply said "press down" but I was thrilled at this random assistance, even if it wasn't exactly what I needed at the time. I made sure to say "thank you".
Today, I was walking across the street to get lunch. As I exited the building, a vehicle was pulling through the parking lot. It stopped. This is always the worst for me. I can see the vehicle, but I never know if the driver is waving me on or not. I don't want to just walk out so when they stop, I usually try to look away until they go (and I always feel like an asshole, especially if they *were* waving me on). Today though a guy behind me said "go ahead" and then quickly said "wait" as both he and the driver realized simultaneously that I couldn't see if they were waving or not.
I've also noticed strangers tend to say "Hi" more when they see me and certainly seem friendlier versus the usual expressionless silence of stranger passing.
I know this all sounds trivial, but I'm pretty excited to see such a dramatic change so suddenly. Again, thank you all so much!
impablomations 7 points
Also, you occasionally get to feel like Moses when people part like the red sea to let you past!
geoffisblind 3 points
Awesome! I had a very similar experience when I first started. It really does make a difference.
Slatters-AU 2 points
That's fantastic. A tactic for if you can sense a car is to wave it on instead. I do this with my Guide Dog, I would rather wait for the street to be clear that I am not giving him mixed signals about what I feel safe doing.
This means the driver is not waiting for him to go and you are not standing there unsure about your safety. It might feel a little rude waving someone that you can't really see, but trust me , it works and everyone gets where they are going much faster.
Alerting others to your vision impairment is one of the best features of using a mobility aid. People are immediately far more understanding, and no explanation of why you are peering at something closely or bump into someone by accident is needed.
Glad to hear about your experience and enjoy your new found confidence.
This means the driver is not waiting for him to go and you are not standing there unsure about your safety. It might feel a little rude waving someone that you can't really see, but trust me , it works and everyone gets where they are going much faster.
Alerting others to your vision impairment is one of the best features of using a mobility aid. People are immediately far more understanding, and no explanation of why you are peering at something closely or bump into someone by accident is needed.
Glad to hear about your experience and enjoy your new found confidence.
Bob_0119 [OP] 1 points
Thanks! What I have been doing is holding the can forward when moving, or intending to move, but when I stop for a car, I come to a complete stop and point the cane downwards (basically tip down stick straight up and down) to indicate I am waiting for them to pass or move on. So far, I haven't had any awkward moments!
I feel a little silly because I was concerned people might not understand it or maybe think I am just "milking it" y'know, for sympathy, but I have found everyone extremely supportive. My mom even said she was *proud* of me.
It really has been one of the best things I have ever gotten for myself and I really am thankful to this supportive community for all the advice!
I feel a little silly because I was concerned people might not understand it or maybe think I am just "milking it" y'know, for sympathy, but I have found everyone extremely supportive. My mom even said she was *proud* of me.
It really has been one of the best things I have ever gotten for myself and I really am thankful to this supportive community for all the advice!
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