Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Not feeling blind enough for a cane (self.Blind)
submitted by faewylde
I have familial vitreoretinopathy and nystagmus, am legally blind in my left eye (can read large print if there is enough contrast and is 3 or so inches from my face), and completely blind in my right eye due to 2 retina detachments prior to 18. I'm 24 now, and am just getting a cane.
I guess I'm making this post because the reason I've waited so long is because I never felt blind enough to be able to use a cane. I'm always being accused of faking it because I do have some vision in my left eye, so folks think I'm being dramatic or looking for attention. I've been afraid that using a cane will worsen that, or even offend folks who have less vision than I do even though it really isn't much.
I dont have any depth perception, and between that, my entire blind side, and my other eye being extremely low vision I constantly find myself running into things. I cant tell when people are talking to me, and people are constantly getting angry with me when we run into each other because I didn't see them. Like, if you wlsaw me then maybe you should have changed course instead of assuming I would? Idk that sounds like a good idea.
Anyway, a cane would really help me for a lot of reasons.
What are your thoughts?
I guess I'm making this post because the reason I've waited so long is because I never felt blind enough to be able to use a cane. I'm always being accused of faking it because I do have some vision in my left eye, so folks think I'm being dramatic or looking for attention. I've been afraid that using a cane will worsen that, or even offend folks who have less vision than I do even though it really isn't much.
I dont have any depth perception, and between that, my entire blind side, and my other eye being extremely low vision I constantly find myself running into things. I cant tell when people are talking to me, and people are constantly getting angry with me when we run into each other because I didn't see them. Like, if you wlsaw me then maybe you should have changed course instead of assuming I would? Idk that sounds like a good idea.
Anyway, a cane would really help me for a lot of reasons.
What are your thoughts?
C1an0t 14 points 3y ago
I had the same issue, my vision is far better than yours by your description and I have a cane.
it's nothing to be ashamed about and by the sounds of things it really would help you. Don't inhabit your own ability by being to prideful to use a cane.
it's nothing to be ashamed about and by the sounds of things it really would help you. Don't inhabit your own ability by being to prideful to use a cane.
ABlindManPlays 6 points 3y ago
For me, the cane is not only about finding depth and clearance for where I am walking, it's also to communicate that I am blind so people can adjust accordingly. Like getting the hell out of my way.
FrankenGretchen 6 points 3y ago
My mother had two prosthetic eyes. She was refused entrance to graduate school because the dean of her major accused her of faking blindness. She had to remove them to finally prove she wasn't faking. Then was denied entrance because he stated blind people couldn't be teachers. This was c1971, btw. In my college days, I was denied a CUNY BA because my career expectations and necessary education to fulfill them were far above my means to see them to fruition. (You're blind. Go home and rethink Child Life because it was two years before another college designed their whole program.). My point is that no matter how much you do or do not see, some expert is gonna dispute you or your trained provider at some point. Ignore that mess and do what you need to do for yourself. You'll have a few obstacles checked off and be better able to deal with the bigger things if they arise.
OutWestTexas 4 points 3y ago
Your vision is definitely bad enough to use a cane. You need it for your safety. People will accuse you of faking it no matter how blind you are. I bet that using a cane will make you more bold and confident.
DrillInstructorJan 3 points 3y ago
Seconded. I have so little light perception that I'm not even sure I have any, and I get accused of faking it because I have normal body language. It's insane.
BobIsAFineName 4 points 3y ago
I've recently been diagnosed with RP though I'm lucky that I'm in a pretty good state, and it's mainly my night vision getting worse, and even though I can legally drive, I need a cane for unlit places. I feel a fraud getting it out just for that, it putting it away once I get somewhere with good street lighting.
My young son has more severe RP and needs his cane outside at night or in darker environments indoors. He's also got worsening peripheral vision and is partially sighted. He feels a bit like this too, and we often have a loud conversation near strangers as we put his cane away as we go into shops etc, commenting on his night blindness.
You sound like your vision is much worse. And I just want to encourage you that using a cane has really increased both of our confidence about walking. No more suddenly jerking our backs or twisting ankles when the pavement suddenly dips, or when there's a tree root, or ice!
So I still feel a fraud, but it's worth it.
My young son has more severe RP and needs his cane outside at night or in darker environments indoors. He's also got worsening peripheral vision and is partially sighted. He feels a bit like this too, and we often have a loud conversation near strangers as we put his cane away as we go into shops etc, commenting on his night blindness.
You sound like your vision is much worse. And I just want to encourage you that using a cane has really increased both of our confidence about walking. No more suddenly jerking our backs or twisting ankles when the pavement suddenly dips, or when there's a tree root, or ice!
So I still feel a fraud, but it's worth it.
bscross32 3 points 3y ago
Yeah go for it, people often hold out for far too long and have things like you describe happen to them.
coolcaelin123 2 points 3y ago
My view is, you ARE legally blind. You can and should take advantage of everything that helps you and all the resources provided to you.
BlueRock956 2 points 3y ago
hi, don’t listen to people that don't have your best interest in mind. You need a cane ASAP.
Sight404 2 points 3y ago
If you're running into stuff, you should probably be using a cane.
Having said this, I reluctantly started using a cane after I was called out in front of a couple dozen VI students and their parents at a panel for transitioning youth. I was there to give advice to the kids about being a successful adult, as I was in my early twenties, had my own apartment and employment, and was going to college part-time. Anyway, this older blind lady asked me, in regards to why I preferred not using a cane, "Would you rather be seen as a competent blind person or an incompetent sighted person?"
Now that I use my cane, help (when I need it) is much easier to find. Also, most people get out of my way. On a psychological level, I replaced a lot of resentment with acceptance which then allowed me to refine my abilities to compensate for my inabilities. As a final point, I started using my cane when my acuity was \~20/1,500; like you, I don't have depth perception because I also cannot see out of my right eye, but because of glaucoma, not retinal detachment. Nevertheless, I regret not using a cane earlier.
Having said this, I reluctantly started using a cane after I was called out in front of a couple dozen VI students and their parents at a panel for transitioning youth. I was there to give advice to the kids about being a successful adult, as I was in my early twenties, had my own apartment and employment, and was going to college part-time. Anyway, this older blind lady asked me, in regards to why I preferred not using a cane, "Would you rather be seen as a competent blind person or an incompetent sighted person?"
Now that I use my cane, help (when I need it) is much easier to find. Also, most people get out of my way. On a psychological level, I replaced a lot of resentment with acceptance which then allowed me to refine my abilities to compensate for my inabilities. As a final point, I started using my cane when my acuity was \~20/1,500; like you, I don't have depth perception because I also cannot see out of my right eye, but because of glaucoma, not retinal detachment. Nevertheless, I regret not using a cane earlier.
abb131 2 points 3y ago
People can be so disrespectful. You are the only person who understands your experience and what you deal with every day. Do whatever you need to do for yourself. If you feel safer using a white cane, use a white cane. Some people really are going to have a negative judgment of you no matter what you do. There would be no point in putting too much time or energy into worrying about their judgments.
It seems like a lot of us in this community have been accused of faking vision loss at one point or another. So you are not alone there. I don’t understand the reason for it.
It seems like a lot of us in this community have been accused of faking vision loss at one point or another. So you are not alone there. I don’t understand the reason for it.
faerylin 1 points 3y ago
This is where I can now. I run into things daily and omg my hubby says I’m dangerous if I have a shopping cart. Lol I only hit the walls or ram into things a few times but apparently more People move out of my way that I don’t realize.
I’m legally blind but still have some vision and although I know how to use the cane I just can’t bring myself to use one in public.
I’m legally blind but still have some vision and although I know how to use the cane I just can’t bring myself to use one in public.
DaaxD 1 points 3y ago
The cane you are looking for is called an ID cane or a symbol cane. Basically it is a cane which main purpose is to alert other people around you that you have a low vision. Those canes are not even meant to be used a mobility aid, but it sounds exactly what you might need.
> I've been afraid that using a cane will worsen that, or even offend folks who have less vision than I do even though it really isn't much...
Other cane users are usually well aware of the differences between the canes, so there is no need to worry about about offending anyone. If someone does get offended though, it's them being ignorant about different canes and their use cases.
Not that I can blame them for not knowing though. The differences between white canes isn't general knowlegde or something that is taught in schools.
> I cant tell when people are talking to me, and people are constantly getting angry with me when we run into each other because I didn't see them.
Bumping into other people was the final straw which made me to get my ID cane. At first I was really nervous about actually using it and it took some time to get used to it. Nowdays using it up comes as naturally as using reflectors during the winter.
> I've been afraid that using a cane will worsen that, or even offend folks who have less vision than I do even though it really isn't much...
Other cane users are usually well aware of the differences between the canes, so there is no need to worry about about offending anyone. If someone does get offended though, it's them being ignorant about different canes and their use cases.
Not that I can blame them for not knowing though. The differences between white canes isn't general knowlegde or something that is taught in schools.
> I cant tell when people are talking to me, and people are constantly getting angry with me when we run into each other because I didn't see them.
Bumping into other people was the final straw which made me to get my ID cane. At first I was really nervous about actually using it and it took some time to get used to it. Nowdays using it up comes as naturally as using reflectors during the winter.
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