Jerry Killion, longtime BVA member and leader in the Greater Houston Regional Group, spent the evening of White Cane Safety Day presenting the history of the White Cane to his American Legion Post 512 in Dayton, Texas. The day this year just happened to fall on the third Tuesday of the month when the Post regularly meets.  In addition to several leadership positions that he has held with the BVA Greater Houston Regional Group, Jerry is currently the 1st Vice Commander of the Legion Post.

My presentation began with my wife, Joyce Killion, reading a short excerpt. Joyce mentioned that October 15 is “White Cane Safety Day,” and that the day honors the many achievements of Americans who are blind and visually impaired. She also covered the fact that White Cane Day recognizes the advancement of the concept of independence within the blind community. The White Cane, she explained, has an extended, rich history but the beginnings were humble. This mobility tool has blossomed into an international symbol for blindness and low vision.

My presentation also pointed out the evolution of the Long White Cane from a shepherd’s staff to a stick painted black, later to a stick painted white, and finally to the modern long cane made of fiberglass, plastic composites, and aluminum. I pointed out historical milestones as follows:

• 1921 – James Biggs, a British photographer, painted his cane white for more visibility for motorists.
• 1930 – Lions Club President George Bonham came up with the idea of using a white cane with a red band to assist the blind with independent mobility.
• 1931 – In France, Guilly d’Herbemont recognized the danger to blind people in traffic and launched a national “White Stick Movement” for blind people. She donated 5,000 white canes to blind civilians and blind French veterans from World War I.
• 1944 – Richard Hoover, while assigned to the center for treatment of blind soldiers at Valley Forge Army Hospital, developed a successful cane technique replacing the traditional short wooden cane with a lightweight long cane cut to a prescription length and using the technique of sweeping the cane from side to side, the tip touching the ground in front of the trailing foot. Hoover has been referred to as the “Father of the Long White Cane Technique.” Many of the soldiers at Valley Forge with Hoover became members of the Blinded Veterans Association a year or two later.
• 1964 – The U.S. Congress approved a resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15 as National White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first President to issue a proclamation.
• 2005 – Regional groups of the Blinded Veterans Association throughout the United States began to more actively promote white cane awareness on or around October 15 each year at locations such as schools, VA facilities, community centers, libraries, and shopping malls. Veterans have most often emphasized the overall effectiveness of VA blind rehabilitation training in the use of the White Cane.

My presentation continued with the description and demonstration of the different kinds of White Canes.

• Long Cane – This “traditional” white cane, also known as the “Hoover” cane, is designed primarily as a mobility tool. The length depends on the height of the user.
• Guide Cane – This generally shorter cane, used to scan curbs and steps, has limited mobility functions.
• Identification Cane – This cane is referred to as a Symbol Cane in British English. It is used mainly to alert others of the bearer’s visual impairment. It has no use as a mobility tool.
• Support Cane – The white support cane is designed primarily to offer physical stability to the visually impaired user. By virtue of its color, this cane can also work as a means of identification. This cane has very limited use as a mobility tool.

This was my third presentation demonstrating the White Cane and other devices that I use in my everyday life. When Joyce is not present to guide me, my Legionnaires offer me an elbow or shoulder. I will be making another presentation on Blinded Veterans Day, March 28, on the subject “How to Interact with a Blind Person.” I hope that other BVA members and regional groups are taking advantage of similar opportunities.