The Wyoming Council of the Blind gathered at the Capitol for a proclamation reading, recognizing October 15, 2024 as White Cane Awareness Day.
President Cheryl Godley emphasized the importance of advocacy for the visually impaired and raising awareness among sighted individuals. She explained the importance of Friday’s gathering. "This is pretty exciting because what it does is, it's an opportunity to advocate on behalf of people with visual impairments. The white cane allows us to navigate our environment and be oriented to what is around us. And then the white cane also serves as a reminder to people who are sighted, to be more aware and more considerate."
Approximately 20-25 people were in attendance. In addition to WyCB members and spouses, several Lions members, UW WIND WATR, Vision Outreach Services, a Cheyenne preschooler and his family, a Wheatland second grader and his family, an occupational therapist, a physical therapy assistant, and a new cane user who recently moved to Wyoming attended the reading and walk.
The weather could not have been more perfect: blue skies, warm, light breeze, and beautiful fall colors starting to appear on the cottonwoods around the Capitol Complex. Our second-grade student led the walk around Capitol Square. Jerry Henderson, a policy analyst for Governor Gordan read the proclamation and participated in a portion of the walk.
Overall, it was a success, thanks to the Cheyenne Sunrise Lions Club and Dave Orr coming to our rescue last week! Dave's timing could not have been more perfect. We all learned a ton about the process.
You can access the video on the Your Wyoming Link's website here.
