If it helps you, then USE IT! It is going to keep you safe from falling. You should never EVER feel ashamed. Nor embarrassed. What you are feeling is self-consciousness, and it's ok. Use that cane! Work through it! You will be fine.

I too am not completely blind. I can see some. Most days, I don't even use my white cane. But there are times when I DO need it. I am not ashamed. Get over feeling self-conscious. Listen, people are humans. And it is our human nature to watch other people. People-watching. It's normal. We ALL do it. If you saw a blind person tapping along, wouldn't you watch too? You would. SO be aware that yes, people WILL be watching you. Some are curious. Some are bored. Some are hoping you'll do something funny. But mostly, people are good, decent people, who do NOT want to see you fall or do something wrong or funny or embarrassing. So stand proud, use that cane, and SHOW THEM what us blind people are capable of!

YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

> I also use my phone with large letters and I’ve been told that just because I’m legally blind that I can’t use a phone

Whoever told you that is an idiot.

I have a bit more sight than you and I use a cane. I'm also totally blind at night.

I was self conscious at first, then I realised that my safety and comfort was worth way more than the opinions of others, especially those who don't know what they are talking about.

You should absolutely start using a cane! There is no shame in it whatsoever! I have Retinitis Pigmentosa and still retain most of my vision. I am completely blind in the dark though. I cannot drive at night and have a hard time walking around unless I use a extraordinarily bright flashlight. Recently I have been learning to use a white cane so I can go out after dark. I'm 22 and a student. I felt left out and utterly alone. The white cane gives me confidence outside though! It even helps explain the situation to others non verbally. Before I had it I was thrown out of many bars for being too drunk when I never had a drink!

I see just enough that I don't need it to get around. But I use it anyway because it identifies me as blind, and it also does help in certain circumstances. You need not feel ashamed. There's no point in which a person is "blind enough" to use it, and anyone who says otherwise is doing life wrong.

The other posters already mentioned the important things. I'd like to add that there is no such thing as being "not blind enough to use a cane". That's just rubbish, if you feel it helps you, then you should use it.

I have Retinitis Pigmentosa myself and I work with visually impaired people. I know the feeling you describe first hand and experience it with the majority of our clients. Usually it takes a great deal of convincing people that they would benefit from using a cane, so if you already are there it would be a shame to stop because of those feelings. But as I said, been there felt that, I can absolutely understand how you feel. It took me a while but now I feel so much safer and independent with my trusty cane :).

One other thought is to try and practice explaining your vision to other people. I found it feels better for me if I can start explaining if someone is confused about my vision. Luckily I've always did that so nowadays it comes easy. Try using examples that people can understand, e.g. "if I look straight ahead I can't see the floor", or "to see my feet I need to angle my head like this" or try stretching out your arms while looking straight ahead and then move them inward until you can see them in your peripheral vision. I found that people are very grateful if you stay calm and explain something to them. And if you practiced it with someone you feel ok with, e.g. a family member, it will come easier when it happens out in the wild. We also get our clients to practice this, mainly for job interviews, but it's just as useful in other situations.

Of course, if someone insists on being an asshole or if you're stressed and don't have time or the nerve to explain you don't have to. As many have pointed out you have nothing to defend yourself for, but as I said it can feel good and it helps spreading awareness that visual impairment has many different gradients.

I also have had optic neuritis, as well as other vision issues. I tend to use my white cane when I'm outside when it's very bright or dark, though I can walk smooth paths otherwise. When I visit businesses, I can usually navigate fine without it, but I still carry it to alert those around me why I'm talking to mirrors and mannequins. :-D

I think of it as a tool, to be used as needed, as well as a way to communicate visual impairment to others.

I'm legally blind. I use a phone and I use a white cane. The narcissist that I run across in public but tell me I'm not blind, I generally ignore them unless they become physical. Be careful some of them are a bit grabby.

The best thing that you can do in your current situation is to learn new skills to try and help maintain your Independence. Yes you need a white cane or a dog. you need to see what is called a low vision specialist. It would not hurt for you to find somebody to teach you self-defense considering you will always have a white cane on you and you need to know how to turn that into a weapon as needed. You need to learn to be your best advocate. Yes, people are going to be surprised when you are assertive but it needs to be done. If you're communication skills are lacking do the best you can to learn how to speak clearly and concisely. The more cognizant you are of the way you sound and appear to sound formal and educated the more likely you are to be taken seriously in society.

Don't worry you will get through this. Now is not the time to feel that you do not deserve to have Independence. Go out there help yourself and keep every bit of Independence and life skills you can. You will learn like everybody else that being able to care for yourself is one of the best things and best life skills that you can have. Bad things happen to good people and your helpers will probably always not be there for you.

I see more than you do and I have been using a cane for 20 years. During that time I have also had two seeing eye dogs.
For me I feel like the cane helps others around me know that I have limited vision. To me it is helpful because people are more cautious around me because they see my cane.
To me it is similar to when I see someone with a handicap parking thing in their car. Then what appears like an able bodied person hope out of the car. I know they just have a hidden disability.

Do not be ashamed for even ten seconds!! It is there to HELP you.

Ive known three blind people for a very long time.

One blind man is 100% blind and uses a cane.

One blind gal can still see colors and outlines, and uses a cane.

One had to have an eye removed due to cancer and has severe astigmatism in the other... And uses a cane.

They all use canes because it helps them. Use yours. Whenever asked why, just tell them it helps you orient yourself. No need to explain any further.

Judging from your post OP, you have a greater need for the cane than I have. Therefore, there's no reason whatsoever for you to fee bad about using it. If the cane makes your life easier, then use it.

The nasty thing about the tunnel vision is how well the brains can adapt to it. At least in my case it appears if I can navigate just fine without the cane... until there's something unepxected in my way and I trip over or bump into someone. Therefore it's good idea to have cane, just in case.

Secondly, the cane is also a great symbol and signal for other people around you. When I started to use cane I didn't bump into other people nearly as much as I used to, because other people noticed my cane and gave me way. And even if I accidentially walk into someone, they only need to spot my cane and they instantly know what happened.

I also have IIH!! I was diagnosed in 2015. I had to have an optic nerve sheath fenestration operation...it worked for a day. Then I had to have a lumbar shunt put in...It’s helped. I have no peripheral vision. My right eye is worse than my left. I use a cane when I’m in places I’m not familiar with.

You're fine. I'm completely blind and I use a cane because I really have no choice, but I'm rare. Your situation is much more common than mine is, but we get this question all the time. There's a lot of people out there who are concerned in the same way you are. If it helps, use it.

I totally get this. I have optic nerve atrophy and was born with a field of vision that is basically the width of my shoulders. I also have shocking spatial awareness and depth perception. Night blindness too. I started using a guide cane in certain situations a couple of years ago and it really helps, but honestly I feel like a fraud at times. I actively avoid using my phone if I have my cane out.

But, as others have said, if it helps you, then you should use it. Just know you aren't alone in feeling like this.

Here are two blog posts that might give you some helpful perspective on canes and phones:

[Why I love my cane and what it means to me] (http://blindnewworld.org/blog/why-i-love-my-cane/) by Jasmyn Polite

[The Woman Who "Broke the Internet" Demonstrating that #BlindPeopleUsePhones] (http://blindnewworld.org/blog/the_woman_who_broke_the_internet_demonstrating_that_blind_people_use_phones/) by Kristy Viers

I can’t handle the attention I get when I use mine. I like to have one with me everywhere I go though just in case. I still have a lot of vision, so I don’t need it often. When I do need to use it for sure I feel a little less nervous so I’m usually okay. My vision is 20/200 with correction.

I hated my cane when I first got it. It represented so much I hated and feared. Then one day I was forced to use it; and over time it grew into an extension of my arm such that even today decades later I can pick it up - Its aluminum and worn and needs a new end knob but its still here - and its an extension of my arm now in the few times I need it as I don't go out much in the pandemic and I know my home pretty well being isolated as I have been for so long.

My advice? Instead of thinking of the cane as a liability or something you are not entitled to out of guilt, think of it as the results of the universe being the friend to you that have not allowed yourself to be to YOURSELF so far. Accept the gift. I know it doesn't seem like it now but that cane exists for you to do as you need it to, to take the hit, to lend you steadiness, to call out to others "I AM HERE. I AM BRAVE, I KNOW IM IN DANGER BUT I WILL BRAVE THE DAY ALL THE SAME. GET OUT OF MY FUCKING WAY IM GETTING BAKED GOODS FROM THE STORE AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME, NOT EVEN THE DARKNESS." Or at least, that's how I envision it when I do it.

Helen Keller once wrote "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.". Do you understand how freaking badass we are with our canes, knowing that we are like a letter in a bottle as the world swirls around us and the waves of possibility crash over us and yet here we are, rising to the top and going onward. Here we are, blind to it all the danger LITTERLY and yet still seeking to be united with the universe as apart of it. The fact that you want to use the cane, and feel guilty, just means you deserve the right to use it more to me. Unlike others who would accept its perks and abuse them, you struggle with the knowledge that you don't have it as bad as some. That's something I can respect, and in my mind, that means you have earned the right to use the cane no matter how good your sight is now.

So accept it as a gift. From the universe, or from me or others. You are allowed. There is no "blind enough" and that's a really hard lesson to accept. I know. Oh gods do I know.

I know its hard. I *HATED* my ambutec. It represented my own weakness, my own fears, the certainty that one day I would open my eyes and see only that same patterned gray I see when my good eye is closed or its dark and there is no light. I understand. Maybe you don't that problem. But I assure you, there is no such thing as being "blind enough" or "not blind enough", and as a member of the blind community, who understands, if you really need me to say it I will: I give you permission to use the cane. Please use it it if it helps. And Welcome to the club, friend.

If it improves your ability to get around and gives you enough confidence to get out and live your life why on earth would you feel bad about using it. Use the cane, use your phone and tell anybody giving you grief to piss off. My partner is Bordering on legally blind, he uses an identification cane as opposed to a guidance cane and he still uses his cell phone, large letters half an inch away from his face. They are tools to help you live your life. Nothing more, nothing less.

Don’t be ashamed and just use it. Get some training because it’ll build your confidence too.

If the cane helps you navigate more easily and safely, then your use of a cane is justified. I have more vision than you judging from your description, and I use a cane. I understand that using a cane may feel uncomfortable, but this is your safety. Your safety is more important than whatever nonsense that the people around you are saying. If people are trying to pressure you to not use your cane or any other assistive device/technique, then I think that it is time to distance yourself from them.

I have glaucoma and severe cataracts, my left eye is so blurry I can really only see light but not shapes or anything. My right eye is my better eye and can see things clearish, but no peripheral vision. I was able to get help through my state (Texas) about 10 years ago, who hooked me up with a mobility trainer who showed me how to use my cane. And my vision was better then, could see out of my left eye. One thing I was told was not to wait, learn how to use the cane now so when my vision was completely gone I would already have some experience. Please don't feel guilty about learning. This is something that you need to learn and will help you. See if there are any resources that will help you too. I'm actually searching for some myself. I dont remember if you said where you lived or not, but think you said you weren't working anymore. If you live in the states you could also apply for disability.
Good luck to you!

In situations like this, I often think of other people rather than myself. I am legally blind but do not use a cane. When I go to the city and I see someone using a cane, I get excited because I know those people are like me and they are part of my community. Just knowing someone else like me is out there gives me so much hope and joy for my own life. So for you, who cares what other people think? They can’t do anything to you. And who knows. Maybe you’ll inspire someone else out there to become as okay with it as you are

Whoever the moron who said blind people can’t use a phone can go screw themselves over. Also there’s no such thing as you can see to much to use a cane unless you’re not legally blind. Then it would be ethically wrong but not wrong by law. A fully sighted person can still use a cane but would just look silly and make themselves a bad example. But if you need a cane you do.

And just because you’re going blind doesn’t mean your life is over. There is so much one can do being totally blind. As long as you know how to adapt and adjust things you’ll be dandy. I am totally blind and very independent and capable and do a lot and have done a lot and haven’t let my blindness stop me. So yeah.

If you want to talk to someone about this feel free.

You can use iPhone with Voiceover or some Android phone with TalkBack instead of your tactile phone. It enables vocalization of device and very accessible control. There are also specialised devices like BlindShell Classic.

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