Kia ora koutou, a kind person called David, visited yesterday. He was from The Blind Foundation and he had a range white sticks to show me. When I was first contacted by Delayne from Kapo he said if I was offered a white stick to take it because its such a handy signal. People know why you’re hesitating or slow at pedestrian crossings for example, buses will stop, and people will help if you need it.
I’m a very fast walker, not as fast as I used to be, but still fast so when we were to do a trial run (as it were) I hared off down the drive at my usual pace and left David behind for a couple of ticks until he caught up.
We walked up to the pedestrian crossing outside Nga Purapura and he demonstrated how I should hold the stick (stuck out in a slant) so drivers and cyclists know I’m waiting to cross. I felt like on of those small kids being taught by the teacher how to cross the road but of course he’s right. If people can’t see it then they won’t know. I mention cyclists too because I was nearly run into by two cyclists when I was just over halfway on the pedestrian crossing by the library. I was going to the pharmacy and damn nearly went to hospital instead. They’d have got a few bruises, I would have been in hospital for months.
I feel a bit self-conscious like I shouldn’t be using it because I’m not totally blind but I guess that feeling will pass. In any case with macro degeneration you never go totally blind, you can see shapes. Apparently. The middle part of your eye is the damaged part but there’s still peripheral vision which some people can train themselves to use.
If you see me come up and say hello, say your name, although I’ll probably recognise your voice. I can see your face better from a distance than I can close up. Yes, I know, Frustrating. But better than the other option.
Renée
