International White Cane Day 2026: Meet Bevan

Bevan is 63 and lives in Taree with his partner, Kay. He has retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary vision condition. Although he has known about the condition for over thirty years, in the last two years his vision has changed significantly and is now more limited.

When these changes first happened, Bevan knew he did not want to stop doing the things he loved or lose his independence. He loves music, and regularly goes to country music gigs as well as playing the drums and mandolin. He also regularly volunteers, as well as shopping and cooking

Luckily, he had a friend who also had low vision who introduced him to Guide Dogs. This was the starting point for him, and he was then able to connect with different services that supported him.

Simple changes to the tools he uses every day have made a big difference. Bevan found that he could not reliably see the controls on his stove, and did not know when it was turned off, so he worked with an Occupational Therapist to find accessible equipment like a talking stove and meat thermometer. Now he can cook confidently.

Bevan initially felt hesitant about using a white cane, but he is now glad that he undertook cane training with an Orientation and Mobility Therapist. He now uses a white cane regularly, especially when he is in unfamiliar environments. Having the knowledge of using a cane helps him to detect hazards such as uneven surfaces, obstacles and signage on footpaths.

One of the things that helped Bevan the most was connecting with other people with low vision through a fortnightly Guide Dogs group call. Having this regular time to catch up with other people who have a similar experience is so useful. Having low vision can be isolating at times, and being able to share tips and advice and also relax and chat can make a big difference.

Now that Bevan has greater confidence using his cane and technology, he feels more able to continue participating in activities that matter to him, including music, volunteering, shopping and getting out in his local community.