canes are small enough to fit into an inside pocket or handbag, thus can be pulled out when required. They are reflective and help to make vehicle drivers and other pedestrians aware of your visual difficulties. Sight Scotland Veterans can assess you for these canes and supply them, as well as offer guidance on the correct way to use them.
for fluffy snow and a heavier touch for icy conditions. Poking through the snow with the cane to gauge its depth and consistency is also useful.
It is extremely important to be visible to drivers during dark winter months. Either wear brightly coloured outwear which stands out, or consider adding a reflective item like a high visibility ‘Sam Browne’ If using a long cane we recommend belt to give drivers more warning of you wear leather gloves rather than your road-crossing. woollen, as these are not so thick that they reduce your ability to pick up changes in surface texture Sighted Guide Walks through your cane. We are pleased to let you know that Sight Scotland Veterans staff are now offering a sighted guide The arrival of snow can bring added walks service in areas where the challenges. Someone who is pandemic restrictions allow for us severely sight impaired or has to do this. significant low vision may rely on echoes and other sounds to help Our Lead Rehabilitation Officer, orient themselves to their Sandra Taylor, provides the details surroundings, so snow will make on this service: this difficult, as it muffles sounds. Crossing streets can Through this difficult time many of become challenging, because it can our members have mentioned that also be harder to hear the sound of they have lost confidence in going cars. If it is cold, ideally wear a outdoors. Their mobility has winter hat such as a beanie which decreased due to lack of exercise, can be folded above the ears, so as motivation or no support to get to not impede auditory clues. outdoors. This can affect general Dealing with snow
Snow also interferes with the information we get from our canes. A light cane touch is used
wellbeing and mental health.
20
