Walking free: how a white cane changed Jamie’s path and her mindset

For many people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, using a white cane for the first time can bring up a lot of emotions. That was true for Jamie.

“I wasn’t sure about using a white cane at first. I didn’t want to stand out or let people know about my vision. I felt like I could still pretend I wasn’t struggling if I wanted to,” she says. “But then I met others who used white canes, and it made me wonder if this small tool could help me too.”

Jamie is a registered client at Blind Low Vision NZ. She has low vision caused by a progressive eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, or RP for short.

RP affects people in different ways. For many, one of the first signs is night blindness. Right now, Jamie is fully blind in the dark or when moving from bright light into dimmer spaces. Her retina takes much longer to adjust to changes in light, which makes it hard to move safely or see what is around her.

Jamie and her family did not notice anything was different until her early twenties. Looking back, there were signs. Things like tripping over kerbs or struggling to find a coin on the ground. But at the time, they were easy to overlook.

Now she has come to accept that she is living a unique life in the world of low vision, as her sight has steadily declined. However, most people still do not notice she has low vision. This often leads to misunderstandings.

“I have stepped on people in elevators, walked into construction zones, or taken the wrong path and people think I am rude or careless. Sometimes they yell. Sometimes they just stare. But the truth is, I just cannot see them.”

That changed when Jamie started using a white cane.

“It became my safeguard,” she says. “It helps me avoid falls, and it shows others what I am dealing with without me having to explain it every time.”

Jamie got her first white cane through Blind Low Vision NZ. After an Orientation and Mobility assessment, she was matched with a white cane that suited her needs.

“I feel so much more confident walking through unfamiliar places. I am less worried about bumping into things. Using the cane has really reduced the risk of getting hurt when I am out. I still get a few bruises at home because I do not use it indoors, but outside it has made a huge difference.”

Although she has only been using the cane for seven months, Jamie uses it every day, everywhere she can. Her cane is already slightly bent from regular use – a true sign of a well-travelled companion.

“I now understand how this simple tool can support people like me for a long time,” Jamie says. “I was really excited to hear about the new White Cane Initiative. Knowing I can get a new cane and two tips each year, for free, means a lot.”

She wants others living with low or no vision to try it. “Using this tool, and having support from Blind Low Vision NZ, has given me freedom. I no longer feel like I have to hide. Carrying a white cane shows people I have a vision impairment, and I’m okay with that. It’s part of me, but it does not define who I am. That honesty has freed both my path and my mind, and I am sure it will help others too.”

Blind Low Vision NZ’s White Cane Initiative started on 1 July.

To know more, or to request a cane and tips, call 0800 24 33 33, send a text message to 022 011 7407, or email info@blindlowvision.org.nz.