Frank Born Blind in 1915 30 years Before The Long White Cane

Safe Toddles Talks Orientation and Mobility

The Safe Toddles belt cane is an early 21st century innovation –Some might assume the long white cane is a much, much older mobility tool. Who would believe that it is a mid-20th century innovation – the first long white cane was introduced in 1945. In the grand scheme of blind people – the long white cane being the only mass produced, ubiquitous tool for independent walking with safety – that’s relatively young. There have been schools for the blind since 1829. Agencies serving adults for the blind and teaching them to be independent long before there ever was a white cane.

What was it like to grow up blind without a mobility tool? This podcast introduces you to Frank, born 1915 - 30 years before the long white cane was introduced. He graduated high school, married, had a family, worked and lived. He also traveled with a guide until he was a senior, fell onto the subway tracks three times before he was in his 20s. By then he was giving a Lions Club cane - too short to provide safety.
He did get a long cane, but he grew up without mobility tools and for him "it was normal to walk without them".

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