The First Step
Kit’s transition to smart technology began on the advice of her low-vision specialist. As Kit describes herself as “I’m 60 years old… my depth perception is also really bad,” which made navigating her environment a constant challenge. With the support of Florida Vision Technology and the Division of Blind Services, she began her orientation and mobility training with the first WeWALK model before eventually upgrading to the Smart Cane 2.
A Unique Bond: "My Man"
One of the aspects of Kit’s story is the personal connection she has developed with her cane. “I tell people it’s my man. I call my cane my man,” she says with a laugh. “I purposely got the taller one because I can hear it better,” she noted.
Walking with Speed and Security
The impact on Kit’s daily life has been immediate and transformative. The combination of AI and obstacle detection has given her confidence to increase her pace. “The obstacle detection and the AI that’s one of my big features because it allows me to walk a little bit faster,” Kit explains.
She no longer lives with the constant fear of unexpected hazards. “It allows me to go out more and do more because I don’t have a fear of running into things…” she shared. This security translates into a tangible sense of liberty: “It allows me a lot more freedom”.
A Life-Changing Innovation
Kit’s message to the WeWALK team and other potential users is simple: “Get it. It will change your life,” she urges. She even admitted to being moved to tears by the continuous improvements made to the device. “I have literally sat here and cried because it’s like you listen and you delivered”.
At WeWALK, Kit’s story serves as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. With feedback from real-life experiences and delivering tools that foster independence, what we aim is for people to embrace the world with confidence.
