About Elin Williams
Elin started her blog in 2015 to share her love of writing and her passion for music, beauty and fashion, as well as to share with others how she enjoys them as a visually impaired person. Her blog shares her perspectives and raises awareness of wider accessibility and disability issues.
Twitter: @myblurredworld Instagram: @myblurredworld www.myblurredworld.com
Have you ever been in a position where neglect, frustration and anger bubbles to the surface each time you think of your mobility aid? Me too. I’ve been reflecting on my love-hate relationship with my cane. Our relationship didn’t get off to the best of starts; I was eight years old at the time, it was two years after I was diagnosed with the degenerative eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa and I was still coming to terms with it and learning about the challenges it posed.
Bringing the cane into the equation only seemed to fuel some kind of hatred towards my disability and so it was set aside, serving a sentence of eight years in a dust-covered box in the corner of my room. That’s a long time to hold a grudge, I know, but I think I needed that time in order to accept other aspects of my disability. The cane didn’t seem to serve a purpose in my life and I didn’t want to show it to the world because I thought it would encourage further stereotyping.
I eventually reached the point of recognising that I needed my cane to become the independent person I so longed to be and so I started having mobility lessons. It wasn’t easy by any means and there have been quite a few bumps in the road, and a few on my head after a few meetings with pillars and posts, but I’ve finally reached a point of acceptance — something which didn’t just fall into my lap, believe you me.
I now recognise the positives that my cane brings into my life. It helps me to improve my independence and it lets others around me know that I’m vision impaired without me having to whisper a single word – so I guess there’s a pro to every con.
It’s been a tough journey and it’s one that I’m still continuing on but I’m further ahead than I ever imagined myself to be. There’s more love than hate in our relationship now but an element of doubt still creeps in from time to time; I suppose it’s a work in progress.
Those of you who have had to learn to embrace your mobility aid will probably know where I’m coming from. If you’re still struggling then you should know that whatever you’re feeling is valid. It’s not always easy but with determination and a peek at that glimmer of light which lies at the end of the tunnel, it is possible to overcome any challenge.
