On October 15, we will celebrate white cane day. I have been a white cane user for many years. When I was first given a cane at the Rehab Center in Kalamazoo, if I used it at all, it was as a walking cane. The cane was light weight and about 5 feet in length, solid. Unlike other schools, Western Michigan preferred the blind client to slide the cane’s metal tip across the sidewalk in front of the walker. The idea was a tapping cane could overlook a object on the sidewalk. A crack could catch the toe of an unobservant person. Since then, I have refined my cane use style and I use a folding cane.
But those first trips out with a cane found my cane folded and in my purse. One day, I was at a Mc’Donalds, I stood intending to use the restroom. Leaving my cane at the table, I felt my way to the wall and followed the wall to the restroom’s door. When I returned to retreave my purse and cane, I heard an employee remark.
“Oh, I thought she was drunk.”
After that, I had my white cane out and in my hand. It still took a long while to use the cane properly.
When I was in Scotland, the sidewalks were narrow and raised from the road. Enthusiastically I swung the cane from left to right in a wide arch. People said nothing but jumped into doorways or into the road to avoid my cane antics.
After my stroke, my cane was replaced with a heavy duty cane with a rolling ball. It helps with balance and not tripping on rough terrain.
To this date, I own eight white canes. They can be found in the bike pack, hanging in the garage, folded by the front door and folded in my purse and knitting bag. I don’t leave home without one or more of them.
This Halloween, the skeletons in my display will all have white canes as they travel the front yard to trick or treat. The adults will be kissing under an umbrella. a dog’s skeleton on a leash will be trailing behind the group. It is a great way to remind drivers that those goblins may be blind to cars as they collect treats.
*** Poem
Happy ghouls and goblins race.
holding bags with glow sticks encased.
Laughter echos down the street.
Loud shouts, “trick or treat”.
Orange carved pumpkins light the night.
Welcomes children, with candle fright.
Every porch light is lit.
Each offering a sugar fix.
Now midnight is here.
Halloween is done for another year.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 10/13//25
traveling up and down the blind highway 