I am a cane user, and have been for as long as I can remember.
Being visually impaired comes with a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to independent travel. Public awareness of sight loss is limited, and many people hold preconceived stereotypes. Often, they don’t expect blind or partially sighted people to travel on their own, or they misunderstand the purpose of the cane.
This has led to several awkward — and sometimes dangerous — encounters. One memorable incident happened during my first year at college, when someone thought it would be amusing to jump over my cane instead of walking around it. Not only did this nearly break the cane, but it also could have injured both of us. Another occurred only a few months ago, when I was walking through town near my campus. A stranger suddenly grabbed my cane and began tugging me in a direction he assumed I was heading, as if it were a leash.
For blind and partially sighted people, a cane is a lifeline. Used properly, it makes independent travel possible — allowing us to move from point A to point B with the same confidence as anyone else. But it can also feel like a double-edged sword. When others don’t understand or respect it, the cane becomes a source of vulnerability instead of empowerment. This is one of the reasons many visually impaired people hesitate to go far on their own or to crowded places. It isn’t because they can’t or don’t want to — but because of fear. Fear of getting lost, fear that the cane might be damaged by someone’s careless action, or fear of being left stranded. For those who are still adjusting, there is sometimes even denial — a struggle to accept dependence on the cane.
What I wish people could truly see is that sight loss does not mean inability. With the right awareness and small adjustments, people like me can handle day-to-day tasks and travel independently. Mishandling a cane is not harmless curiosity — it’s as disruptive and dangerous as hiding someone’s glasses.
Reality is more complex than most people realize, but if others could look past the disability and see the person, it would make the world far less daunting.
