Staff Report
Winthrop resident John Morgan gave a quick primer on White Cane events across the state during the public speaking portion of last week’s town council meeting.
“October is White Cane Awareness month,” said Morgan, a month set aside to increase awareness of blindness and vision impairment and the white cane many use as a mobility aid. “This is a white cane, this identifies a person who is blind and gives that person the opportunity to travel the town or city where he lives safely with significant training from a certified mobility instructor.”
White Cane Day was Wednesday, Oct. 15, and there will be a White Cane Celebration Day for the state on Friday, Oct. 24 at the State House, Morgan said.
“It is a good opportunity if you can attend to learn about how the blind have made significant big changes over many decades, mostly thanks to our resident Jerry DiFranza who served this community and the state for over 50 years,” said Morgan.
DiFranza wrote and worked to pass the Lazy Eye Blindness Bill in 1969, requiring all children to be tested for lazy eye blindness. As a result, children in Massachusetts are tested for lazy eye blindness, preventing vision challenges and saving sight for thousands of children each year.
In other business during the public speaking portion of the meeting, one resident advocated for more pickleball courts in the town, noting that there is often a wait for the three current courts at Ingleside Park, and that more than 100 people compete in the local pickleball league.