Building BLIND Faith

13/03/2025

It’s been a minute since I posted yes!

But here’s something worthy of sharing 🙏

Bringing glam to our blind world, where there’s a will there’s a way!!

Looking Glamourous, Baby!

In the world of long canes, there often isn’t much variety in colour. But US company, Glam Canes have taken the long cane and EMBELLISHED it big time. Using standard aluminium long canes, Glam Canes has bedazzled the shaft with rhinestones in varying colours making the cane a fashion statement, and not only a mobility aid. Also available for purchase are embellished walkers and support canes, cane holders and carry cases, and even a GLAM tee!

VA&A will be placing an order in the coming weeks and are happy to add additional canes for our clients. If you would like to order a Glam Cane, please see their website at https://www.glamcanes.com.

You can then email your order request to [email protected].

Be sure to include the cane name (e.g. Custom Rhinestone Glam Cane), cane length, and colour choice/s. The default tip is a hook-on rolling marshmallow tip.

Once the canes are ordered, VA&A will then email an invoice to you or your plan manager.

So, glam up, peeps! This is the moment your long cane has been waiting for!


Image description:
13 Glam Canes against a white background. All 13 long canes have a black rubber handle, black elastic wrist strap, and are covered in a variety of coloured rhinestones. From left to right:
1) Pink and gold long cane with 5 fluffy pink pom poms.
2) Red, white and blue long cane.
3) Purple and silvery white long cane.
4) Gold and silvery white long cane.
5) Silvery white long cane.
6) Rainbow Pride long cane.
7) Red and silvery white long cane.
8) Gold and red long cane.
9) Blue and silvery white long cane.
10) Gold and black long cane.
11) Silvery white and yellow long cane.
12) Pink and silvery white long cane.

Photo from Glam Canes website.

17/01/2025

Happy New Year All

I hope it’s finding you well!

A great article to present a kick to advocacy and awareness building for No and low vision loss!

Important information to know about blindness and etiquette.

1) A white cane signifies to the general public that the person using it has low to no vision. Approximately 15% of people who use a white cane or a guide dog are totally blind, the rest of us have varying degrees of vision, but our vision isn’t always useful or reliable.

2) Most of us call our cane what it is -- a cane. If someone using a white cane calls it a stick or a pole, then you know that’s their preferred name for it. Please avoid calling it a stick or pole unless you’re very familiar with the person. Our cane is our mobility device, and we use it as an extension of ourselves. A cane represents freedom and independence to those of us using it.

3) No need to avoid common language when talking to those of us who are blind or legally blind. The words see, look, or watch are totally ok to use. These words do not make us uncomfortable because we do see, look, and watch -- only we do it differently than someone without vision loss. If someone tells you they do not like those words, then you know for that person.

4) If you feel we may be in danger, yelling “Look out!” or “Watch out!” is not helpful. We can’t see what to be looking out for or watching out for, nor do we know if you are actually talking to us. Be specific to be helpful: “Hey lady using the white cane STOP there is an electric bike on your left.”

5) NEVER grab, touch, jump over, or move someone’s white cane. That presents a safety hazard to us.

6) NEVER grab, pull, or push someone who is blind or partially sighted. No one appreciates being grabbed or touched by strangers. As we visually cannot see your intention, it can be terrifying for us. Also the grabbing can cause injury. Just use words.

7) Never wave your hand or hold up fingers in front of our face to test if we’re “really blind.” It is rude and disrespectful.
If someone tells you they have vision loss, believe us. No one goes around pretending to be blind, carrying a cane, using magnification and asking for assistance, if they are not.

8)The terms low vision, partially sighted, legally blind, or blind are preferred. Avoid the term “visually impaired” as “impaired” implies a negative. Language is a powerful tool, and we can lift each other up or knock each other down with our choice of words. If you meet someone and they tell you that they prefer that term, then you know for that person.

9) Please be accurate and specific when giving us directions. Example: “Walk about 30 feet in the direction you are facing and turn right before crossing the street” rather than “Walk that way and turn right at the bank.” You may be surprised at how many well-intentioned people tell us to turn right when they meant turn left.

10) Say “Hello.” We take your verbal hello as that nod, smile, or gestured acknowledgment that strangers give to each other frequently throughout the day. When you say hello, it alerts us to your presence and opens the opportunity for us to ask for help if we need it. Also, with that hello, you’ve treated us like everyone else and that is all anyone ever wants.


No two people experiencing sight loss or blindness experience it in the same way. We are all unique individuals, so if you are curious about someone, please just ask the person you are curious about so you gain accurate information about that person. Never default to those who we are with.

“Losing my sight has not changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world.” Gina Martin



Photo description
A lady is giving a presentation and she has a white cane in her hand.

12/12/2024

Amazing. Now let’s role these programs to those in regional,rural amd remote!

Why not Auslan as a part of the education program…., bring them to early education centres as well!!

“The message I want to spread to other young people facing a disability diagnosis is that they can go after their dreams, just differently,”- Lilly

Students across Victoria received their ATAR scores this morning, Lilly Cascun scored an incredible 98.6, and was also the first Victorian student to undertake both the G*T (General Achievement Test) and Maths Method and Music exams in a braille format.

Lilly is just one of our clients who has benefited from initiative such as our Life Ready Program

Learn more about Lilly here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/vce-results-2024-live-updates-victorian-year-12-students-receive-results-atars-20241211-p5kxmn.html

All donations to Carols by Candlelight by Vision Australia go directly towards our children's services which includes programs such as the Life Ready Program. Learn more at www.givetocarols.com

[ID: Lilly standing at a podium giving a speech, next to her is the crest for Genazzano FCJ College which she attends]

12/11/2024

Really proud to be able to do a little bit more in the kitchen

Vision Loss is hard, and the barriers, anxiety and low states of feeling like there is no light (pardon the pun) are so very real.

There is not a day go by that a struggle doesn’t arise.

But I, at least want to try to do and explore a new way to explore.

A few dishes I’ve put my hand back to to agai.

Philosophy: One day at a time, one task at a time and a whole lot of relearning trust, compassion and grace.

I can not do what I do without support, and their in lies “better connected”

10/11/2024

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

(I do not own the rights to this image, credit to original artist: anonymous)

[image of a girl with blindfold on with splash on background sketch in ink on sepia paper]

09/11/2024

What are some of your fave meals with low carbs - no carbs, protein and vege filled.
(Never mind me being low vision I’ll adapt)

Easy ish bake dinners particularly, plus snacks and breakfasts that can be easily prepped and cooked (don’t have a lot of endurance for big bake offs - even recommended books, websites for recipes)

Needing ideas, and
Go….

06/11/2024

Insecurity is designed to down play what God wants to display!

Don’t believe the lies, the doubts the fear and any of the voices that don’t bear fruit….
This is the down payment that the enemy places upon you, so you can’t give birth to what God has called you to do!

06/11/2024

🔑🔓
Praise and pray all the time