AIBU to feel like a fraud using a white stick?

As a disabled person I absolutely do understand, but; the post you have commented on was an apology for coming across badly when I didn’t mean to. Perhaps it can be left at that?

I think if you haven't been in this position it's hard to understand the psychological adjustment process people go through. Making such a visible change can feel huge to begin with

Thank you, that's good of you to elaborate and I'm glad that's not what you meant.

Is it a symbol cane - to let others know you are VI? Or a long cane (ie with a roller ball on the bottom to aid mobility?)

either way, if it helps you then it’s needed

Sympathy. You've got a lot to suddenly consider. A white stick must feel like a huge step to take.
But you need it. They've advised you to use it.
It'll enable you to get around easier.

I’m really sorry OP. My intention was not to be nasty. My comment has come across absolutely not as intended. I was simply trying to say ‘no, you are not a fraud, trust the medics’ - you don’t need unqualified people to try and tell you that you are not a fraud because the medical professionals who have seen you have deemed the cane necessary. I’m so sorry if my post came across nasty as I never meant that at all.

You don't need to be blind. My grandmother had one as she was partially sighted. She had sight in one eye but I don't think she had peripheral vision in it, or it wasn't very good. She didn't have clear sight but could still watch TV and see people if they were close.
We didn't talk about her white stick but she used it to judge the ground around her.

I'm guessing it's a symbol cane, not a white cane?

This is to symbolise to others that you have a VI of any degree. It doesn't mean you are blind and it also doesn't matter if anyone thinks you are blind or a fraud.

It's to help you and you've been explained why it would benefit you to use one and you accepted the cane, so no one at the hospital knows you're feeling uneasy about this but there are people to help. I would call the eye hospital and ask to speak with the optom or the ECLO about how you are feeling.

You’re not a fraud, you have a disability. If the white stick aids you, use it. I’m sorry you’re experiencing such a scary unsettling time.

My friend has just had his cataracts done He was told he'd need to do x in about a years time to deal with the cloudiness, but he'd only need to do it once & then they'd be fine. I'm sorry I can't remember what he was told he'd need to do, but I can ask him if you'd like me to?

im having laser treatment for sudden onset prolific retinopathy after a stroke, im nit sure if the process ys the same or not.

but to answer your actual question. Don't be a goose! If using the white stick will help you, use it! 💕

If it would be useful to you and keep you safe then you are someone who needs to use the stick. There is no rule about who should use them. They are a disability aid for your condition

This is a really nasty response.

The OP has already said she feels uncomfortable asking for help and afraid of being judged.

Its really difficult to come to acceptance with having a disability.

I understand. When I first got my electric wheelchair (on the nhs, for full time use, inside and out) I felt exactly the same. It took a couple of years for me to adjust but you just keep having to tell yourself it’s necessary and you’ve had it medically recommended. It’s an aid, not an accessory.

💐

Of course you’re not a fraud. You using the white stick doesn’t cause anyone else loss or disadvantage, in fact if anything it’s helpful to others as well as to you.

Fraud is an act of deception intended to secure an unfair or unlawful gain, often involving misrepresentation or concealment of material facts to induce another party to part with something of value.

I got the cloudiness (it's the way the lens capsule grows around the implant) when I had my cataract replaced and it was awful. Worse, some cocky 12 year old decided I was making it up, so I ended up putting up with it for almost a year. It took me face planting over an abandoned palette that I missed due to glare to get taken seriously.

Instant relief from the laser treatment. Even before the drops wore off.

Because people judge you unfairly...

I was given crutches after 4 months in hospital off my feet by Drs orders...people view you not with kindness but disbelief and sourness.

A white stick means you are visually impaired, not blind. You have every right to use it if it helps you. Try it for a while and see.

OP. If you travel often on the trains, download the transreport passenger assistance app and ask for assistance getting on and off your train. Basically you'll get a dedicated person to help you get to and from the train and exit. While the system isn't 100% foolproof, I often use the train and book assistance (I'm not VI though). In the past year I have done over 100 journeys and I can think of 3 occasions when things have gone wrong. I've stuck a few screenshots of the app so you can see the 'profile' I have- there are loads of options to choose from and the types of assistance you can request.

Total gamechanger for me. It means I dont have to ring people up and discuss access arrangements every time I want to get on a train..

I understand.

I have recently become an ambulatory wheelchair user - i can walk but I have terrible fatigue and sometimes it enables me to have said out/ go to places I couldnt otherwise.

I still feel ashamed and fraudulent that I 'don't need it'.

Someone helpfully told me to keep in mind that its just a tool, that it and the blue badge aren't making me disabled, theyre making me more able to cope with the disability.

The same goes for your cane.i do get hope you feel though 💐

Use the white stick if it helps you.

What was the deal with the cataract surgery? Did it turn out not to be the problem or did something go wrong?

This in a nutshell.

If you think it would help you then use it.

Visual impairments are very varied in presentation and the implications/impact for the person and what they are doing at the time. From distance, tunnel or peripheral and including quality of vision through those “domains”.

It’s not at all uncommon for people who use a cane to have some vision and for that which they have to also be impacted by environmental factors (such as lighting, distance requirements, time of day etc) which can fluctuate.

I can walk a reasonable distance and even run a little.

I still use a wheelchair when I need to. And I use a stick on public transport (I have a condition that fluctuates rapidly and unpredictably)

If it means you can get out more safely or live more of your life then you most certainly aren't a fraud for using it.

However, I found it took me quite a few test runs before I stopped feeling weird and self conscious and guilty!

This is exactly what a symbol cane is for! It sounds like you are understandably finding it hard to adjust to your sight loss and needing help but please don't feel you don't deserve assistance.

If it helps you and makes your life easier, of course you should use it.
And you deserve help OP. Would you expect a person with a broken leg not to use crutches? Or someone with hearing loss not to use a hearing aid? These things exist for a reason.