18/02/2019
I was born with optic atrophy, so I have a very narrow field of vision. I basically just see out of one corner of my left eye.
I use a white cane, and when you’re born with this condition, it’s just natural that you learn to walk with a cane and travel quite confidently.
But I’m relying on people to see me. And it doesn’t always happen that way.
We think of distracted drivers, but we don’t think of distracted pedestrians – and they can be just as dangerous.
Fellow pedestrians who are staring down at their devices, engrossed in a phone call, text or e-mail message have made walking a challenge for me. There have been numerous times people have walked into my path.
Since I use my cane in an arclike manner, I have inadvertently caused a few distracted pedestrians to stumble, causing them to unleash a string of expletives.
On other occasions, after bumping into me, I hear a stammered “sorry” as they For someone who is visually impaired, it can be difficult to simply walk down the street, evading pedestrians more focused on their phones than who is in front of them. ISTOCK sheepishly scurry away.
Ironically, others still will tell me to watch where I’m going. I’m always a little blown away by that.
These kinds of things happen maybe two or three times a week.
I walk along Bank Street, one of the main roads here in Ottawa, to and from work. So I have a lot of occasion to walk downtown.
I have learned not to walk too close to the edges of the sidewalks, lest I get knocked into traffic.
Some pedestrians walk with a device in one hand and hot drink in the other, which can double the danger should they run into me accidentally.
Children scoot out of distracted parents’ reach, and as my field of vision is narrow, I risk falling over small kids in my blind spot and incurring the wrath of their parents. As many devices are paired with tiny earbuds and microphones, it is almost impossible for me to distinguish whether they are speaking to me or someone else.
When I’m crossing a street, I’m kind of hoping the other pedestrians will see me, but sometimes they’re on their phones or sending a text or doing what they’re doing. It makes crossing the streets a little bit challenging.
But what I do, if they’re available, is use the audible pedestrian signals. You’ve probably heard them. You push the button to activate them, and I find sometimes the sound they make makes everyone pay attention for a while. I tend to use them when they’re available, but they’re not at each corner.
I could go down a real rabbit hole about some people on power wheelchairs. I’ve been knocked over by a couple of those on occasion. I think they think I’m going to see them and jump out of the way. Well, not quite.
I mean, I don’t want to trip anybody, but inevitably, somebody does walk in the path of my cane. You’ll get some interesting reactions.
I love when people say, “I didn’t see you.” Well. You do have to have a good sense of humour.
Shelley Ann Morris lives in Ottawa.
As told to Wency Leung
Retail Savings Guide for People with Disabilities
https://www.couponchief.com/guides/savings_guide_for_those_with_disability
ADHD and Exercise
http://www.treadmillreviews.net/adhd-and-exercise/
Travel Accessibility Resources for the Disabled and Handicapped
http://www.cheapoair.com/guides/travel-resources-disabled-handicapped
Tips for Traveling with Disabilities
http://www.cheapflights.com/news/traveling-with-disabilities/
Accessible Travel: Resources for the Disabled Explorer
http://www.wakanow.com/ng/pages/Accessible-Travel:-Resources-for-the-Disabled-Explorer
