I am a walking disaster. The bruises on my arm and hand and legs, and the bump on my head, remind me that I can’t just walk through the world as if I am graceful, as if I can see.
My most recent assault was perpetrated by an enormous pillar in the middle of an aisle in a Sprouts grocery store. The fucking thing was wider than me (which is saying something), and I didn’t see it. I was on a mission for roasted veggie chips in the bulk section, but the pillar had other ideas. I ran into it face first and hit is so hard that I ricocheted off and landed on my ass, hitting my arm and hand against the bulk bins. It sounds comical as I write this, and I did laugh at the time, but it really hurt and got me thinking again about white canes.
Every time I have a more memorable collision, I start contemplating white canes. I wish the damn things weren’t white; I am cool with the red tip, but I want a cane that can be personalized with dragons or flowers or pictures of pugs. I have an array of aesthetic desires when it comes to accessories. And honestly, the cane scares me. I wonder what it will mean if I take the step toward a mobility device and how I will have to readjust to the world around me.
I know all the reasons why a cane would be a good idea; I could avoid collisions and accidents and it would let people know that I can’t see them. The cane would scream, “blind girl coming through”, and the crowd would part to let me pass. But maybe I’m not ready to be that blind. Maybe I need to hide in my partially sighted shadow for just a little while longer.
June 13, 2016 at 10:50 pm
I have an assortment of coloured and patterned canes to match my outfits! They were fantastic for helping me transition x
June 14, 2016 at 12:56 am
I love this!! I didn’t know I could get anything but white. Thank you!!!
June 14, 2016 at 12:15 pm
I would be happy to customize your cane in whatever manner you wish!
June 14, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Oh Lady C!!!!! That makes me much more amenable to the idea.
July 17, 2016 at 3:04 am
I have RP too and can relate, Wednesday, I knocked into a pillar, slightly smaller than me, Thursday I kicked my head on a cabinet that was opened. I know the pain but I cannot help laughing at myself. Yes, I called my “big potatoes” moment, round by nature. I have a feeling I can find inspiration from your blog
July 18, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Hi, it is nice to meet you and I am thrilled that you feel you can get something good from my blog. It is always great for me to hear stories from other RPer’s and know that I am not alone in all the craziness that comes with it. Open cabinets are one of my big enemies as well.
July 19, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Darn! Open cabinets! Haha! Floweringink, no we are not alone. Now I am taking the approach Google other RP blogs, learn from their sharing, experiment it out in myself. I ll share what works for me in hope can help another RP-er 😍🤓 no “tunnel vision” approach when it comes to making a better life for myself 2
July 26, 2016 at 2:10 am
do you have more to add? https://piangt.wordpress.com/2016/07/26/we-dont-want-your-sympathy-just-your-understanding/