Sight-loss charity seeks to educate islanders about cane use

Monday 10 July 2023

Members of sight-loss charity Eyecan took to the streets of St Helier last week to dispel the myth that everyone who uses a white cane is fully blind – after cane-users reported unpleasant interactions in public, including being "manhandled".

To mark Cane Awareness Day, members of the charity were at Charing Cross speaking to passersby, letting them try on sight-loss simulation spectacles, and holding a “cane walk” along King and Queen Streets.

Eyecan members were keen to explain that not all cane users are fully blind, adding that a people in a range of situations with varying level of sight-loss can use white canes.

Pictured: Jenny Stafford is one of the charity's committee members, and uses a cane where she can't take her guide dog, like at the gym. (Rob Currie)

The Cane Awareness Day event was organised after charity members reported unpleasant interactions in public, such as being accused of fraudulently using a cane.

In the past, one Eyecan member was “manhandled” by strangers to steer them out of their path, according to the charity.

On another occasion, a member of the public walked right up to a member using a cane before jumping out of the way, saying they were testing whether they were "really blind".

Agnetta Nerac, a sight support officer with the charity, also explained the different types of canes their members use – long canes, which are mobility tools, and 'symbol' canes, which are shorter and are used to make other people aware that the user is sight impaired.

Agnetta added that members of the public are often confused when they see a cane user looking at a mobile phone. However, she said that they might have partial sight loss, or they might be using apps that make smartphones more accessible.

John Keenan, who has glaucoma and has been supported by Eyecan since Easter this year, said that the charity's support had changed his life.

He said: “It has made a huge difference. It has been like going from unconfident, embarrassment, to feeling confident.”

Pictured top: Members of Eyecan took part in a 'cane walk' last week. (Rob Currie)