Unfortunately, my ROVI, Jo, has been unwell for the last couple of weeks but I was delighted to have my first training session on Monday. My white stick arrived in the post about 10 days ago and it fits me beautifully. It’s just over 4 ft long and has a round ball on the end, which I sweep from side to side. I had been tapping it from side to side, as the last stick I had didn’t have a ball on the end. I carried on using this method with my new stick and, I have to say, it is much heavier, so I had a very sore arm until Jo corrected me with the sweeping movement.
Jo arrived at midday with a mask on but a smile in her voice. There was no messing around; she quickly got me outside and walking up my driveway. I was slightly surprised when she said, “right, let’s go for a walk up the road!”.
I have to say, I was quite impressed with myself, which I know sounds big-headed, but you have to understand how daunting it is to walk on your own for the first time in over 20 years. The white stick suddenly gave me a sense of liberation. Jo taught me how to find the shoreline at the side of the road which, in my case, is where the road turns into woodland. I was able to walk at a reasonably fast pace, swishing my stick from side to side in front of me, left to right, about a foot in each direction. Jo suggested that every three or four steps, I touch the shoreline to check I am still at the side of the road. There were a few moments where the foliage seemed to jump out and attack me, and Jo suggested I perhaps consider wearing a peaked cap. Not entirely sure about that; hats have never really been my thing! But, if it stops me from getting a thorn in the eye, it might be worth the risk to my street-cred (which my daughter says is non-existent anyway!!).
The other obstacle I am going to have to get used to navigating was the manure the local equine leave on the lane. On this first trip out, Jo kindly steered me around it, but I am going to have to allow my stick to find it and hopefully have the sense to make sure my feet don’t! But hey, in life we usually have to walk through some pretty s**t things to appreciate the good!
Remarkably, somehow, holding a white stick and being responsible for myself, seemed to switch on all my other senses. I was very aware of listening out for cars and could hear them a long way away and from what direction they were coming. This gave me the time I needed to position myself safely on the lane, which was really reassuring. Jo also explained how our bodies have muscle memory and, even if we aren’t consciously navigating, our bodies remember where we are. This was evidenced to me when I was navigating back to home and trying to locate our driveway. My body seemed to remember that our road leans sideways just before my driveway starts and I seemed to be able to miraculously locate it almost without thinking.
Here is a trivia quiz for you:
What does it mean when a blind person stands with their white stick in front of them in an upright position and their hands on top? Apparently, this is a sign that a blind person could need assistance. Who knew!
What does it mean if a white stick has red stripes on it? This individual is blind but also has a hearing impairment. Didn’t know that either!
What does it mean if a blind person is holding their guide dog by the collar and has let the harness go? This is also a sign a blind person may require assistance.
I would be really interested to find out how many people were aware of these, and if you have any stories of how you were able to help someone. Visit www.rnib.org.uk/cane-explained to find out more.
I did ask Jo about navigating train stations and public transport in general, and we had a good discussion, which has inspired me to perhaps make my goal a bit braver. She did share a funny story of one of her clients who did get lost at a train station and was able to approach someone to ask for directions. The blind person was with their guide dog and, when the helpful person was able to give directions, they knelt of the floor and talked to the dog! This did make me think of hilarious things people have said to me over the years.
In fact, only last week, a great friend I have known for three decades was having a conversation with me about exercise. I explained to him I love using my exercise bike first thing in the morning. He said, don’t you get bored? No, I love listening to music and taking some time to think whilst I exercise. He said, don’t you have a screen so you can watch where you’re cycling and have some good scenery displayed. I said, are you asking me if I look at a screen?? He said, yes! I said, I’m blind! He said, what an idiot am I and laughed! He had forgotten I was blind which, personally, I love. He doesn’t see me as a blind person, he just sees me as everybody else and his good friend. He has forgotten what I can’t do. By the way, this guy has a first degree from Cambridge University if you were thinking he might be intellectually challenged and had an excuse! I will try and remember a story a week to share with you as I’m definitely not short on tales!
Anyway, Jo is booked in again and I think we are attempting a mile. I am allowed to practice in the meantime and have already been out with my 9-year-old son who insisted on being blindfolded so he could feel what it was like, which was funny to watch!
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