George loves the freedom of getting out and independently exploring. It’s the kind of thing he imagined for his retirement, but after losing his vision, he thought he might never do it again.
Indeed, when George came for his first lesson with Stefanie in our Older Blind program, he was so uncertain about nonvisual traveling that he took her arm just to walk back to her office.
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Stefanie works with a Taking Charge student in 2024, placing her hands over the student’s hands to confirm proper grip – the very first lesson of cane travel.
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It took time and commitment from both of them, but that changed. Lesson by lesson, step by step, small successes building the foundation for future successes, George grew in cane skills and confidence.
“A pivotal moment for George came after a medical appointment,” says Stefanie. “Instead of calling for a ride home as he would have in the past, he located the nearest bus stop and took the bus on his own. On the way, he even stopped at a store to pick up a few items—navigating the route, the environment, and the return trip independently. He was so proud when he told me the story the next time I saw him. We had a celebration!
We believe in blind people, and we pass that belief on to the people we serve, like George. It takes a combination of practical, nonvisual skills and an examination of how we feel about our blindness and the limiting assumptions that blindness equals incapacity.” We believe blind people like George can do anything, and that his blindness doesn’t have to hold him back from living the life he wants. It’s working – George is doing just that!
Now, doesn’t that call for a celebration?
Colorado Gives Day is December 9, but you can give early to celebrate our Older Blind Program!
