Cane Introduction

Today Lilah's O&M specialist introduced her to the White Cane. (click on the word to read all about white cane)

I remember when Lilah was diagnosed, and Dr.D told us Lilah would be blind...I was so fearful for SO many things. I don't know why I was so scared. So nervous. Fear. That's right. Fear of the unknown. Fear of a life other than what I had dreamed for my child.

Today, I see life very differently.

I am not scared for Lilah. I want the best for her. I want Lilah to be able to be as independent as possible and live life to the fullest.

When Yinka, Lilah's O&M specialist, (click on O&M to read what she does for Lilah)told me a few months ago that Lilah would need to be cane trained, braille trained, and probably have a guide dog, I didn't understand why. I thought, "But she's not blind." See, Yinka explained to me that even if Lilah may not need the cane all the time, she would need it sometimes due to her depth perception being off. Lilah's two different visual impairments don't allow her to see the world like you and I do....but she can see something. Yinka has opened my eyes to many things about Lilah. She has explained to me that Lilah may not need all of these items, but she should be trained, in case she does. The eyes can get worse. She may one day be "in the dark." She may one day have amazing vision. We just never know. It really is in God's hands, BUT...my job is to educate myself and Lilah...and guide her so that one day she is able to do things on her on...if possible.


Today when Yinka walked in I saw the cutest little white can sticking out of her bag. I was SO excited! I couldn't wait to see what Lilah thought of it.


Instead of being scared that it would be another "label" in her life. I saw it as FREEDOM!

Freedom for Lilah to be able to touch things in front of her and know that it is coming. Freedom to walk without FEAR. Freedom.

Boy oh boy has this journey changed me!


I grabbed my cell phone first and snapped a picture, then I grabbed my camera. Before I could change my settings...she dropped it. But, I was able to at least share this image with you of how cute it is. This one isn't Lilah's. But...it gives you an idea what a cane her size would look like. Yinka even told me that they make them MUCH smaller than this. Do you see what I see? A WORLD of possibilities just waiting for my girl!

Thank you, God, for Yinka, the white cane, and for learning each day what will help my girl!

The future is SO bright for Lilah!