Roma boy celebrates freedom on White Cane Day
OLIVER Howard was just four years old when he suffered a rare illness that caused kidney failure, leading to the loss of his vision.
Toowoomba
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The Roma boy is helping to raise awareness for International White Cane Day tomorrow by joining with Guide Dogs’ campaign.
For an eight-year-old who loves trucks and dreams of one day being a truck driver, the adventurous youngster goes without his cane most of the time when at home and school.
But when he is in Brisbane for ongoing check-ups at the hospital, the cane that he has cheekily nicknamed “Brumby” is what gives him confidence.
“(My eyesight) is a bit blurry, and I can’t see out the sides – the white cane helps me see better,” Oliver said.
“I always use my cane in Brisbane because I don’t know the area much.
“I’ve been using it for a couple of years now – Brumby helps me see what might be in front of me.”
His mother, Tanya Howard, noticed the difference the white cane made when Oliver first started using it a few years ago.
“It made an immediate difference; it gave him more confidence,” Ms Howard said.
“He was a bit tentative about walking for the fear of bumping into something, but as soon as he had the white cane in his hand, he was off.
“There was no fear, he just knew he could do it on his own again.”
Guide Dogs Queensland chief executive officer Michael Knightley said it was inspiring how life-changing a white cane could be for a child like Oliver.
“We all learn how to interact with the world from the day we are born,” Mr Knightley said.
“With a single white cane, a child with low vision or blindness can find this freedom too.
“While training Guide Dogs is an important part of our work and what most people know us for, some of our most important program and services include training with white canes.”
For more information visit www.guidedogsqld.com.au/event/international-white-cane-day/
