The annual White Cane Day Walk recognizes white canes as an important tool. A small but important group walked around Virginia Lake on Saturday morning to support the blind and visually impaired.
The tip of the cane helps blind people feel for obstacles, and it's white so others know the person is blind.
Aimee Jacobs is part of this important group; she's one of nine teachers who support 100 visually impaired students across the Washoe County School District (WCSD).
"We just love our students so much," Jacobs says. "We're so proud of the work that they're doing. They can perform and do what any other student can do, but sometimes they use different tools, and one of their tools is a white cane."
Kiley Talent is one of those students who was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, which has left her blind and without control of her eyes. She has light perception, so she can tell where the sun or a light source is.
Talent says, "Not only am I not alone, but it makes me feel like I'm special in that way."
Talent is a senior in high school and plans to study music or technology at the University of Nevada, Reno. She's staying close to home so she can live on campus and not worry about transportation.
"I just applied a couple of weeks ago," Talent says. "I've had a 4.0 GPA since I was five. So, I do put in a lot of work ethic."
A member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Nevada, whose name is Ramona Coker, lost her sight in a traumatic head injury that ripped her retinas.
Coker says having a white cane helps her regain her independence.
"Being able to be an independent blind person," Coker says, "It means that you're able to make your own rules, live your own life, make your own money, and contribute to your community and be a part of what is going on in your economy and social circles."
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit made an appearance alongside WCSD and NFB Nevada. They brought some of their rescue equipment, including their robot-dog and a horse.
"We want to come out and give different experiences to the kids, and let them interact with our rescue equipment," says Lacey Hankin, a rescue technician with WCSO's Search and Rescue Unit.
Talent says, "Instead of being scared to come up to us and ask for help, just do it." Talent also says. "We don't bite."
Click here to learn about NFB Nevada and how you can show your support.
