[Blindtlk] Do high partials (legally blind) use a cane?

[Marion Gwizdala]

Mari,
    I'm not exactly sure what the parameters are for "high partial", but my 
wife, Merry (notice spelling), might fall into this category. She is totally 
blind in one eye and has 20/80 in the other with a field of vision of just 
under 20 degrees. She is, therefore, "legally blind" by definition. She can 
read print without magnification, depending on the size of the print. Her 
field of vision makes it difficult to see such things as curbs or other 
things outside of her field of vision. Furthermore, since the peripheral is 
what helps a person see in dimly-lit areas, she is virtually totally blind 
at night and in low-light areas, like movie theaters and restaurants. Merry 
uses a guide dog and, sometimes, a white cane.
    Also, the white cane not only provides you with protection from 
obstacles in your way and mobility in your environment, It also serves to 
identify you as a blind person. This identification can be helpful, at 
times. This, I believe, is the major reason many who need to use a white 
cane do not. They - like too many in the general public - associate 
blindness with helplessness and dependency. They would rather go around 
tripping over curbs and running into obstacles than finding them with a 
white cane because they don't want others to believe they are helpless and 
dependent. I will say to you what I say to those blind people who do not 
carry a white cane: The white cane is not a symbol of helplessness and 
dependency; it is a symbol of independence and self-determination. 
Hellpless, dependent blind people have no need for a white cane, only the 
independent ones do!    Now, as to your comment about people thinking you 
are "faking it", that has les to do with your actual eyesight and more to do 
with the public's misconceptions about blindness. I consider myself totally 
blind, although I can see a little movement and light. I frequently get that 
"You don't look blind!" statement and sometimes the "faking it" remark 
because people think I should be less competent because of my blindness. In 
fact, there is this guy on the bus I take frequently who is very aggressive 
about this and has frequently threatened me with violence because of my 
"faking it". I have told him that it would be a serious mistake to touch me 
in light of the fact that I have a 100-pound German Shepherd with me, but I 
am also trained in martial arts and it would be very embarrassing for him to 
have his butt kicked by a blind guy and his dog! Not to mention that he 
would also find out that I am really blind when they aggravate the third 
degree felony charge of battery because of my disability!
    In short, don't worry about the ignorance of the few. If a white cane 
would help you, "Take up your staff and follow us!" (grin)

Fraternally yours,
Marion



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 9:46 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Do high partials (legally blind) use a cane?


> Hello NFB friends!
>
> I hope everyone is well tonight.
>
> Do high partially sighted (legally blind) individuals use a cane?
>
> I am legally blind/visually impaired/ partially sighted. I can see pretty
> well to get around even well enough to cross a 4 way stop without needing 
> to
> use my cane. Most people when they first meet me don't realize I have a
> visual impairment. Not until I need to read something or write something
> down do they find out. I have to use a magnifier or a CCTV to see the 
> print
> well enough to read or to write things down. It makes life a bit easier
> and/or complicated. I have run into some situations, like at a restaurant,
> the grocery store, etc, where it would be so ideal to use. I fear people
> would assume that I was lying cause I can see some and/or assume that I
> could not see at all. What do you all think? I love to walk my kids and 
> the
> neighbor kids to and from school and feel okay doing so. I live in a
> neighborhood where we only have to cross one 4 way stop. I don't like it
> when a car is waving us to go and I can't see that so a child in the group
> will tell me. What do you all think I should do in cases like this?
>
> Is anyone on this list in this situation?
>
> Thank you,
> Mari Hunziker
>
> -- 
> *Have A Blessed Day!
> Mari Hunziker
> 512-670-9950 home
> 512-587-1463  cell
> *
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