National White Cane Day is October 15 and is used to celebrate the independence blind people gained in being able to travel alone. Left to right: Jessica Sloan, orientation and mobility specialist; Brandon Wingard, legally blind eighth grade student at Ryan Gloyer Middle School; RGMS secretary; Robin Wingard, Brandon´s mother.

JACKSON TWP — National White Cane Day isn't as popular as National Coffee Day or National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, but it is far more important.

The celebration of white canes was initiated by Congress in 1964 to be held annually on Oct. 15 in recognition of the independence blind people achieved when they were granted the ability to travel without a companion in 1930.

Nearly 90 years later, the impact of that decision and celebration of this day is still making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities everywhere.

One of these people is Brandon Wingard, an eighth grade student at Ryan Gloyer Middle School who was born with CHARGE syndrome, iris and retina colobomas, nystagmus and subluxed lenses which all contribute to his diagnosis of being legally blind.

Brandon was asked to read a special announcement to his peers on Monday to teach them about National White Cane Day.

This is an excerpt — read more about Brandon Wingard in Sunday's Butler Eagle.[naviga:iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DtPI_Ogp7xM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen][/naviga:iframe]