Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Should I Use A White Cane Even Though I am Not Severely Visually Impaired? (self.Blind)
submitted by namenerd400
For a bit of background, I am a 17-year-old who was born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. As a result, I also have Nystagmus and poor depth perception, and that's what I am mostly going to talk about here. I also have astigmatism.
I have 20/50 vision in my left eye (When corrected with glasses) and can only distinguish distinct colors contrast and light with my right eye when my left is covered. As far as depth perception goes, I have a hard time with steps when I am in an unfamiliar place and when simply walking down the sidewalk I tend to lag behind about 5 feet or so due to constantly focusing on what is in front of me. I also tend to take "test steps" in a way in some places that have multicolored flooring to see if there are any dips or declines.
I feel as though a cane may help for me to not lag behind as much, and maybe help me to be able to keep up with my peers once I become more independent and go off to college. Also, I think it may give me the reassurance when I am in something like a grocery store, to not have to take those "test steps". My concern is, however, that people would perceive me as though I was "faking it" or (On the other side of the spectrum) completely blind as you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me in any other way shape, or form without me telling you that I was visually impaired.
Anyway, on to the main question: Even though I am not severely impaired, should I be using a white cane? Please be honest with me here as I would like some outside imput.
I have 20/50 vision in my left eye (When corrected with glasses) and can only distinguish distinct colors contrast and light with my right eye when my left is covered. As far as depth perception goes, I have a hard time with steps when I am in an unfamiliar place and when simply walking down the sidewalk I tend to lag behind about 5 feet or so due to constantly focusing on what is in front of me. I also tend to take "test steps" in a way in some places that have multicolored flooring to see if there are any dips or declines.
I feel as though a cane may help for me to not lag behind as much, and maybe help me to be able to keep up with my peers once I become more independent and go off to college. Also, I think it may give me the reassurance when I am in something like a grocery store, to not have to take those "test steps". My concern is, however, that people would perceive me as though I was "faking it" or (On the other side of the spectrum) completely blind as you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me in any other way shape, or form without me telling you that I was visually impaired.
Anyway, on to the main question: Even though I am not severely impaired, should I be using a white cane? Please be honest with me here as I would like some outside imput.
Sweet_strawberries3 11 points 2y ago
A lot of people just don't know anything about blind/visually impaired people. They know a lot less than you might think. If they see some one using a white cane they might think that you are blind, but if they ask or try to help you where you don't need help you can use that opportunity to explain the ' spectrum' of blindness and visual impairment. If they accuse you of faking they aren't people that deserve your company anyway, fuck those people.
At the end of the day, you should do whatever will make your life easier while navigating it being visually impaired. If a white cane will make your everyday life easier, by all means use a white cane. They are there to be used 😊
At the end of the day, you should do whatever will make your life easier while navigating it being visually impaired. If a white cane will make your everyday life easier, by all means use a white cane. They are there to be used 😊
Winnmark 3 points 2y ago
This^
LadyAlleta 7 points 2y ago
If you have to ask the question most of the time the answer is yes. But before you just pick one up I highly highly recommend that you get professional orientation and mobility training. Or O&M.
They teach you how to navigate safely and how to use other context clues. They can save your life. Don't skip training.
They teach you how to navigate safely and how to use other context clues. They can save your life. Don't skip training.
Sweet_strawberries3 2 points 2y ago
Oh yes good point! Definitely do this OP
tasareinspace 5 points 2y ago
You sound a lot like my daughter, vision wise! She is 13, and NLP in one eye and 20/200 in the other.
She hates using her cane, because you know, middle school. But that said, I do make her use it when we're going unfamiliar places, because like you, she does do the test steps-- she has a really hard time seeing depth, and worries that switching from like, grey cement to black pavement is going to be a drop off. She can't see ice on the driveway. She's walked into a white pole in Target with white floors. She's not 'faking it' even though usually she doesnt 'look' visually impaired and you're not 'faking it' either. There is more awareness these days about the spectrum of vision impairment, and honestly, stranger's opinions don't matter, and the people who care about you should care that you're being safe.
If you are able to get O+M instruction (how to use your cane and get around) while you're still in school, that would be awesome for you.
Mobility aids of all kinds are great, and if you think you would get use out of it, you should use it!
She hates using her cane, because you know, middle school. But that said, I do make her use it when we're going unfamiliar places, because like you, she does do the test steps-- she has a really hard time seeing depth, and worries that switching from like, grey cement to black pavement is going to be a drop off. She can't see ice on the driveway. She's walked into a white pole in Target with white floors. She's not 'faking it' even though usually she doesnt 'look' visually impaired and you're not 'faking it' either. There is more awareness these days about the spectrum of vision impairment, and honestly, stranger's opinions don't matter, and the people who care about you should care that you're being safe.
If you are able to get O+M instruction (how to use your cane and get around) while you're still in school, that would be awesome for you.
Mobility aids of all kinds are great, and if you think you would get use out of it, you should use it!
namenerd400 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you!
It seems as though your daughter's vision is similar to mine in the sense that the difference in vision between the two eyes is night and day so to say.
As I don't have any previous experience using a cane I am not exactly sure where to start when it comes to getting one, as well as gaining the skills to properly use it. My school has acknowledged the fact that I am visually impaired, but my lack of depth perception has not taken a toll on my education as (before COVID) school was obviously somewhere I was 5 days a week and therefore was somewhere I could navigate with ease. It wasn't until just recently when I realized that I may need assistance outside of school in my everyday life and that I may have to advocate more for myself as that is what I have always had to do in school.
Thank you for the advice and encouragement.
It seems as though your daughter's vision is similar to mine in the sense that the difference in vision between the two eyes is night and day so to say.
As I don't have any previous experience using a cane I am not exactly sure where to start when it comes to getting one, as well as gaining the skills to properly use it. My school has acknowledged the fact that I am visually impaired, but my lack of depth perception has not taken a toll on my education as (before COVID) school was obviously somewhere I was 5 days a week and therefore was somewhere I could navigate with ease. It wasn't until just recently when I realized that I may need assistance outside of school in my everyday life and that I may have to advocate more for myself as that is what I have always had to do in school.
Thank you for the advice and encouragement.
tasareinspace 1 points 2y ago
Do you live in the US?
namenerd400 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yes, I do
Winnmark 1 points 2y ago
Not the original OP, but I think I know what they're going to say.
You should check with your state's department of services for the blind.
You should check with your state's department of services for the blind.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
tasareinspace 2 points 2y ago
They are the god damned WORST.
projeeper 2 points 2y ago
I understand where you are right now in your growth to be an independent person. Ask yourself, Do I want to be a disabled sighted person? Or an amazing blind person! I hope you chose the later! I do agree that you need to get O&M training, I learned so much during this training.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Yes I think anyone can benefit from a cane if they want to use it and can use it get some training and you’ll be fine. I mean if you were totally sighted that may be inappropriate but you are struggling so yes.
Mesh1202 2 points 2y ago
We're the same age, huH
You sound a lot like me vision wise! Difference is I have glaucoma and astigmatism. Like you, my right eye is worse off to the point where I could only distinguish colors with it but I could see alright enough with my left eye. I have to do the test step thing too in an unfamiliar environment with weirdly painted floors.
At first, I didn't want to use a cane since I felt odd about it for the exact same reasons: i.e. I could get around on my own for the most part so maybe I'm not blind enough...or maybe random people who see me on the streets will start thinking I'm entirely blind---but my school counselor and VI teacher were insistent for a very long while and I eventually gave in to them after one of them asked me if I really wanted to continue hanging onto the back of my friends backpacks to keep up. So now I have an orientation teacher and I'm still learning how to use the cane.
I was told I don't have to use it all the time if I don't want to, but in unfamiliar locations I definitely should. I was able to start walking to my friend's house and to the park because of it until I got a hang of the routes. In other words: Whether you'll actually get to using the cane in real world situations is your choice, but you should at least get a hold of one and take lessons so you could have the option to use it whenever you feel you need it. I hope this helps!
You sound a lot like me vision wise! Difference is I have glaucoma and astigmatism. Like you, my right eye is worse off to the point where I could only distinguish colors with it but I could see alright enough with my left eye. I have to do the test step thing too in an unfamiliar environment with weirdly painted floors.
At first, I didn't want to use a cane since I felt odd about it for the exact same reasons: i.e. I could get around on my own for the most part so maybe I'm not blind enough...or maybe random people who see me on the streets will start thinking I'm entirely blind---but my school counselor and VI teacher were insistent for a very long while and I eventually gave in to them after one of them asked me if I really wanted to continue hanging onto the back of my friends backpacks to keep up. So now I have an orientation teacher and I'm still learning how to use the cane.
I was told I don't have to use it all the time if I don't want to, but in unfamiliar locations I definitely should. I was able to start walking to my friend's house and to the park because of it until I got a hang of the routes. In other words: Whether you'll actually get to using the cane in real world situations is your choice, but you should at least get a hold of one and take lessons so you could have the option to use it whenever you feel you need it. I hope this helps!
JaideSL 1 points 1y ago
I use a cane, my vision has been between 20/70 and 20/200, could've been worse as far as I know. I was 20/70 in 2020 then went to 20/100 then 2021 in may 20/150 then by July 31, 2021 I became legally blind then I was for a bit over 6 months, now my vision has gone down to 20/100. I don't know what is going on with my vision. I have no , or barely any right side vision from in front of right eye to side and my upper vision isn't the best, but over by my nose and down is pretty good, esp by my nose. I am blind in left eye. Drs keep trying to insist I have light perception in left eye, i just let em decide, cause obviously when I say no they must check and check till they say yes. HA HAAA! I use a cane too. :) One dr stuck a flashlight into my eye and said no you don't have any. XD
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