Although my tagline is “A Little Sight, A Lot of Heart,” it really could be “I Loves Me Some Technology.” I have written many a story about my iPad and its features, what I am able to do because of them. There are so many apps to assist the blind and low vision community, software and equipment as well.
When I travel, however, you may be surprised to learn that my must-have is not electronic or digital in nature, but rather a set of trekking poles. In “I Call My Own Bluff Everest,” I share that in planning a trip to Nantucket I read about a walk along the bluff that promised to be difficult for anyone with mobility issues. I really wanted to do the hike, and in figuring out how to make that happen, I thought about a walking stick. I reached out to some of my contacts in the Orientation and Mobility field, but they had no experience with such a tool for the sight impaired. So I went to REI, where a knowledgeable and kind man listened to my goal, then led me to the trekking poles on display. He chose a pair, Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles, explaining how they collapse for storage and packing, demonstrating how to expand them to the proper size for my height. The end of the poles has a pointy tip, he suggested getting rubber tip protectors that you can slide on when using the poles on concrete. He also showed me what he called “baskets”, great for walking on sand. I bought all of these things, plus a carrying case.
The trekking poles’ maiden voyage was indeed the Sconset Bluff Walk and you can read about that trek by clicking the link above in the title of my Everest story. Since then, the poles have allowed me to go to the beach, other trails from Maine to Washington state. I have used them on brick pavements and at a hilly outdoor shopping village. Wet pavements cause less of a threat when I am armed with my poles. I, of course, have a white cane that I also use but I honestly feel more grateful for my trekking poles. With them, I no longer have to place my hand on my husband’s shoulder, sometimes digging my fingernails into his skin to get him to slow down or save me from a fall if I trip. The poles allow me to go at my own pace. Also, should I stumble, I am able to stabilize myself. The first time I walked a significant distance on my own was a monumental moment for me. Traversing sand has been difficult since my vision loss, a terrain I used to feel under my feet often each year. That day, when we packed up on the beach to head back to our rental house, for he first time since I became legally blind, I told Mister Rain to go ahead and I would meet him there. And I did.
Independence is a priceless commodity. Yet I purchased a big part of mine for less than $100 at REI.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheartlegallyblindwriter #blindnessisaspectrum #opticneuropathy #visuallyimpaired #blind #rei #blackdiamondtrailbacktrekkingpoles #trekkingwithpoles
