Tyler, Texas — On Saturday, Bergfeld Park became a gathering place for the blind and visually impaired community as East Texas Lighthouse celebrated White Cane Day. An estimated 300 to 400 residents, families, and local vendors filled the park for a quarter‑mile walk designed to demonstrate self‑reliance and raise public awareness of visual impairment.
Event highlights and purpose
The walk, now in its fourth year, was organized by East Texas Lighthouse, a nonprofit that provides employment, vocational training, and independent‑living tools for people who are blind or have low vision. Participants moved together around the park’s pathways, waving white canes and sharing stories of perseverance. The event’s goal is two‑fold: to educate the broader public about blindness and to foster connections among visually impaired residents and local service providers.
Personal testimony from a participant
Kody Woodruff, an employee of East Texas Lighthouse, spoke about the significance of the gathering. “The walk was to show people that we are around here for empowerment, that we’re just not sitting at the house, that we are independent,” Woodruff said. He added that the event helps counter misconceptions about what blind individuals can accomplish.
Woodruff lost his sight in 2018 at age 28 due to complications from diabetes. He emphasized the importance of medical prevention, urging others to follow doctors’ advice and manage health conditions early. “Prevention — just listen to your doctor and make sure you take care of yourself,” he advised.
Employment and community support
Finding East Texas Lighthouse proved life‑changing for Woodruff. “When I first went blind, I thought I was going to be all alone and everything,” he recalled. “Then I went to the lighthouse and they told me there was actually a job here that hires visually impaired and blind people. And then when I came to the job, I saw how many people were here that were blind and visually impaired working. It just gave me so much hope for myself.”
The organization’s Tyler location at 411 W. Front St. offers free vocational training, independent‑living tools, and a supportive workplace for people with visual impairments. Woodruff encouraged anyone facing vision loss or seeking assistance to visit the facility.
Community involvement
Local food and support vendors set up tables throughout the park, providing refreshments and information about services ranging from health screenings to assistive‑technology demonstrations. Attendees included family members, friends, and members of other nonprofit groups who expressed solidarity with the blind community.
Organizers hope that the visibility of the walk will inspire broader community understanding and encourage local businesses and civic leaders to consider accessibility in their own operations.
Looking ahead
East Texas Lighthouse plans to expand its outreach in future White Cane Day events, adding more educational workshops and partnering with additional community organizations. The nonprofit continues to advocate for policies that improve accessibility and employment opportunities for the visually impaired across East Texas.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
