Today, MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard spoke about White Cane Week in the Legislature. You can watch the video here, or read the transcript below.

Courtenay resident Mike McLellan is a self-assured man. He sits on five boards, including as president of B.C. People First. He ably goes where he wants with the use of his white cane.

One day in early February, as a man without sight, he waits for the sound of the walk signal before stepping off the curb to cross an intersection, but a reckless driver without regard for the white cane narrowly misses striking Mike. He told me about this incident to demonstrate that there’s still more to be done to cultivate due regard for those navigating with a white cane. After all, it is a growing demographic, especially those with age-related vision loss, and 135 people a day in Canada are declared blind.

Enter White Cane Week, the first week of February, dedicated to raising awareness about vision loss. Yesterday I met the blind Comox resident who instigated this special dedication in B.C. for the first time this year. Pat Chicquen is a Comox resident and second vice-president of the Canadian Council of the Blind, B.C.-Yukon division. She encourages sighted and blind people to get involved with one of the 29 white cane clubs in B.C. As she reminded me, you need to get connected if you want to learn about all the services that are available.

A lot can be done to minimize many forms of vision loss, and there are so many services available to support the blind and partially sighted to achieve their full potential. As the Canadian Council of the Blind says, the white cane is a symbol of blindness, courage and independent spirit. It is a sign of ability, not disability.