News

Mildura celebrates White Cane Day

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:49:00

A white cane helped James Sweetapple regain some independence after he lost his sight suddenly last year.

The 35-year-old was born with bad eyesight and wasn’t able to get a driving licence, so he used to walk or ride everywhere.

“I would ride 50km a week on my BMX going from Red Cliffs to Mildura for TAFE, and then I’d do about 10km of riding in town a day,” Mr Sweetapple said.

“My sight hindered me to a degree, but I worked as hard as I could and played just as hard.” But life as he knew it changed in May last year when he got shingles in the back of his eyes.
“It all happened within a few months – the shingles caused my eyelids to fold in, and the lashes rubbed and caused ulcers on my corneas,” he said.

“Learning to get around without my sight was a big adjustment.

“When it first happened, I wouldn’t go anywhere unless I had someone with me. I’d put my hand on their shoulder and they’d guide me around.”

Then – 10 months ago now – Mr Sweetapple got his white cane.

“I love it and the confidence it’s given me to get out in public without worrying about having someone with me all the time,” he said.

“In the last couple of months, I’ve become more adventurous and I’ll nick off on my own.”

Mr Sweetapple will join the blind and low vision community at Vision Australia Mildura’s International White Cane Day walk on Tuesday 16 October.

The annual event celebrates how white canes support their users to be active and independent and creates awareness in the community.

Mr Sweetapple said he is always happy to stop and explain to people why he uses a cane.

“Often kids will come up to me and ask what it is, and I tell them that it helps me see by detecting obstacles that are in the way,” he said.

“The more people who are aware of people who are blind or have low vision, the better.”