Sorry to be that person, but for blind/VI people it's a long cane. As for my experience, I tried learning as a child (I don't remember how old, 7 or so?) but it hurt my wrist and they weren't patient. I began learning again around 15 and used it in crowds mainly, as I find crowded areas anxiety-provoking and exhausting and well... difficult. I then began using it more often outside at around 20 because steps and curbs began making me anxious. I also used it at night, but never go out at night that often. I now use it every time I'm out - I'm 25 this year and now practically blind.

I started using a white cane around the time I turned 35, after a particularly bad fall. I don't use it all the time, just in situations where it feels like it would be helpful; places that are unfamiliar, poorly/weirdly lit, in large crowds, when traveling alone, etc.

My vision isn't really any different now than it was when I was a kid, but injuries hurt more and take longer to recover from.

Also, when you bump into someone when you're a kid, people just shrug it off, because kids. Do it as a middle-aged adult and they just think you're rude. The cane mostly fixes/prevents this.

It also lets me be a lot more confident when I'm out in professional settings. I almost always use my cane in that environment because it's hard to look and feel professional if you're cautiously fumbling along trying to find your way around. With the cane, you can use the cane and just own it.

When I was 5 years old.

I was born with super super low vision and it was given to me at 5 years old very soon after I was starting at a public school. I had a piece of paper that said pragmatist could use her cane and walk to the tree in braille. It was pretty interesting. I forgot I think it was a tree but it was basically first point a to. Point b type of thing. I lost my vision totally at 8 yeas old. I use a cane on a regular basis now. And always bring it with me or when I am inside or in a super familiar area. There is one hallway inside a building I don’t use a cane at. Just because I can. I walk fairly slowly there so no misses. When I was living in a dorm I didn’t also use a cane because I knew the dorm and it was also inside like a home.

I started using one after my first solo trip through an airport.

The problem is people. It's always people. The airport signage is illuminated and I can see it well enough to find Gate B38. The airport floors are flat and smooth and I can walk on them. The walkways are straight and predictable. I was just fine in an airport without a cane - until you add people.

People don't stay in one place. They're not where I expect them to be and they're there where I don't expect it. Sometimes they talk and I know about where they are, but sometimes they don't and I have no clue someone's next to me. Even if I see someone I won't always see the luggage they're pulling behind them. And if their clothes are the same color as the rest of the airport they become ninjas.

A couple months later I took another solo flight, this time with a cane. People got out of my way. Employees offered to help me. My in flight drink came with a lid and a straw. Other passengers offered to walk me to the next gate to catch my connecting flight.

The difference between the flight without a cane and the flight with one was startling. Everything was harder without a cane, but the whole airport gave me the right of way when I had it.

I thought a white cane was a navigation tool, but it's much more than that. It's empowerment.

If I may ask, what's your eye diagnosis. I have Star gardts and my vision level is very similar to yours.

Yeah, I do the same as you, keep the cane as ID cane, and, grab friends or family if I strugle in some dark areas. Although, I also use cane during night time if I have to.

I have a mobility cane but I probably use it more as a walking stick. I keep it unfolded to make self-identification much easier & often get better assistance when I have it visible. Haven't had anyone question me on proper use of my cane either.

I started using an ID cane about 4 months ago. Would've likely done it in mid-2020 but for COVID. I have RP, diagnosed as a kid and very slow developing. Stopped driving at night about 15 years ago, stopped driving period 10 years ago. Doctor started recommending mobility training in 2017 but I sort of ignored him. In early 2019 I started really having noticeable difficulty in metro train stations. Then in early 2020 a guy actually punched me (not hard) when I tripped on him because he was sitting on the stairs. Then COVID hit, and I wasn't using the metro, just working at home. Out of sight, out of mind so to speak. Then when things opened up in 2021, and I'm back on public transport, I remembered, oh, yeah.

Braille Institute was great. My doc sent them a certification, next thing I know a consultant actually met me in my most frequented metro station with an ID cane and a full cane. We tried both, I chose the ID cane. And it's been liberating.

I will also say, though, prepare yourself emotionally. It's one thing to be legally blind, another thing to hold that cane and announce it to the world. I am not going to soon forget the holiday dinner with my partners at the firm, when I walked into the restaurant with the cane.

I got my first can in September after breaking my ankle when I stepped on cracker paver on my blindside, and realized that most of accidents were all on my blindside. I was 51 at te time. I’ve been VI since I was 15.

After I broke my shins a second time over a park bench.



First one was totally just a fluke.


Second one was yeah time for cane.