Pictured at the Canes & Canines White Cane Awareness Day lunch at the Hideout Cafe are, from left, Jeannie Gibson, Ann Rutherford, LAPD Ofc. Dominic Maestas, Det. Sgt. Ryan Wilking, Janet Montoya, Cmdr. Ben Irving, Guy Estes, Mike Kuchinsky and Det. Cindy Garcia. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Janet Montoya, president of the At Large Chapter for the New Mexico Federation, far left, discusses issues facing blind people caused by branches and brush encroaching on pavement around town. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Eggo keeps peers curiously from under the table as owner Mike Kichinsky chats with LAPD Det. Cindy Garcia.

Janet Montoya greets attendees at the White Cane Awareness Day event as LAPD Cmdr. Ben Irving looks on. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Det. Sgt. Ryan Wolking is coached on using a white cane to move around the room while his eyes are covered. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

October 15 is White Cane Awareness Day, when the right of blind people to move freely and independently with a cane or a guide dog is affirmed by laws in all 50 states. Members of the visually impaired group Canes & Canines gathered at The Hideout Cafe at UNM-LA along with Los Police Department Cmdr. Ben Irving, Det. Sgt. Ryan Wolking, Det. Cindy Garcia and Ofc. Dominic Maestas.

Janet Montoya, president of the At Large Chapter for the New Mexico Federation for the Blind, explained that for blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that enables them to achieve a full and independent life.

Montoya, Ann Rutherford, and Mike Kuchinsky, all of whom use white canes to move freely and safely from place to place, discussed how it is to navigate around the neighborhoods and throughout the community. Det. Sgt. Wolking was the volunteer who agreed to have his eyes covered and to make his way around the seating area using Montoya’s white cane.

Montoya explained how the white cane allows blind or visually-impaired people to “make their hands and arms longer” so that they can assess their surroundings and move around quickly, safely and confidently. Despite her explanations, the sighted folks were amazed to hear just how much moving around the folks using canes actually do in the community using their senses of hearing and touch to understand what’s happening aound them. Using the white cane helps blind people to avoid obstacles, find steps, locate and step over items, find doorways, and get into cars and buses.

Montoya’s guide dog, Raleigh, and Juchinsky’s guide dog, Eggo, were both a big hit at the gathering, even though they did not seem to be very interested in what was going on.

The group offered some handouts with information on what to do when you see someone using a white cane:

“When you see a blind person using a white cane, remember that the cane is out tool to safely and independently navigate the environment. There’s no need to shout warnings or physically steer us so that our canes won’t bump into things. Remember that we are using our canes to explore what is around us. If we need any help or direction, we will ask. If you are driving or cycling and see someone using a white cane, you must follow the law and stop to give that person the right of way.

Canes & Canines welcomes all member of the community to their lunchtime gatherings, which are posted by the Los Alamos Daily Post and the Los Alamos Reporter. The group eats lunch together at local restaurants and enjoys a lively chat.

LAPD Cmdr. Ben Irving chats with Janet Montoya, left, and Ann Rutherford. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Det. Sgt. Ryan Wolking stepped up to volunteer while Janet Montoya explained how to use a white cane. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com