On the occasion of the International White Cane Safety Day, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova addressed an event organized by the State High School with Resource Center “Dimitar Vlahov” – Skopje, dedicated to raising public awareness about the rights, opportunities and contributions of people with visual impairment.
Siljanovska-Davkova said that the day is not only a symbolic celebration, but also a reminder that true blindness is not in the eyes, but in the insensitivity of the hearts. For her, it is a call to all of us to open our eyes and souls and see the world through the prism of understanding, respect and empathy.
She pointed out that we should not forget that the white cane is a symbol of a dignified life, but also of social obligation to create cities and institutions that will be accessible, safe and, above all, humane.
The President recalled that she had appointed a visually impaired person to the Youth Council, which, according to her, sends a message that every young person, regardless of life circumstances, has the right not only to be heard, but also to actively participate in shaping the politics and society in which they live.
The event featured musical and educational performances by students of the “Dimitar Vlahov” – school, a panel discussion dedicated to the meaning of the white cane, personal experiences of orientation and mobility of current and former students and techniques for using the white cane were presented.
The “Dimitar Vlahov” school, as the only institution of its kind in the country, has been offering education, rehabilitation and support to visually impaired students for more than seven decades.
Respected Principal, Aleksandra Jakovchevska,
Dear students, employees, and wards of the State Secondary School with Resource Center “Dimitar Vlahov”,
Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have gathered here today to celebrate the International White Cane Safety Day, a day that for me is filled with symbolism, dignity, and humanity, a day in which we give deserved recognition to all visually impaired people who, as we can already see, walk through life with unwavering will and enthusiasm.
The white cane – that simple but powerful symbol – is much more than a tool. For me, it represents an extended hand of courage, symbolizes freedom, but also enables independence.
I think that every time it touches the ground, it tells a story, a story of a struggle, a story of perseverance, a story of dignity, but also a story of faith. Therefore, today is not just a celebration of a date or a symbol. We are reminded that true blindness is not in the eyes, but in the insensitivity of the hearts. He is a call for all of us to open our eyes, but also our souls, and to see the world through the prism of understanding, respect, and empathy. It allows us, the disoriented, to orient ourselves.
Visually impaired people teach us every day that sight is not the only path that leads to light. They “see” the world through the sounds, touches, smells, and warmth of the people around them. They remind us that every obstacle can become a path, and every darkness can become a new light.
Let us not forget, the white cane symbolizes a dignified life, but also a social obligation. We have an obligation to create cities and institutions that will be accessible, safe and, above all, humane. The obligations we already have must be translated into legal solutions, but, unfortunately, their implementation is lacking. We must change this. We must not shift the responsibility to each other and relativize the problems. 4000 of our fellow citizens with visual impairment deserve action, understanding and specific practical solutions.
Let me remind you, I appointed a visually impaired person, Kristijan, to the Youth Council. And Kristian is not the disabled one there, but the Council is disabled without Kristijan.
This is my message that every young person, regardless of life circumstances, has the right not only to be heard, but also to actively participate in shaping the politics and society in which they live.
I would like to mention that today’s visit to the school is a Desire, idea and initiative of the young people from the Youth Council, one of the best. And when young people call, I and we are obliged not only to listen to them, but also to respond to them with due attention, with respect, but also with an extended hand for cooperation for the sake of understanding. I heard them, I heard Kristijan, I heard the president of the Youth Council and I am here not only for them, but also for all of you and those who need the white cane, but also those whose lives are inseparable from the first.
Dear friends,
I wish that we all lend a hand when needed. I dream of being a voice for those who are not heard enough and a light for those who carry it within themselves and spread it around them every day, even when they do not see it. Let us pay tribute to all the brave people with impaired vision who, with peace and tranquility, but also immense strength and an indomitable spirit, show us that life is not measured by what we see, but by what we feel and turn into actions. They are living proof that darkness cannot defeat the light of the human soul.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all institutions, organizations, individuals, families and friends who invest love, time and energy every day to make the world a place of equality, equity, solidarity and joy.
I would like to repeat once again. White Cane Safety Day is a reminder that differences do not divide us, but rather bring us closer and make us richer. It is boring to be friends with those who are similar, it is provocative to be friends with those who are different.
Let us create and live in a society in which every step, every voice and every touch is felt and seen, because it has meaning. Let us keep the light of humanity, so that we do not stop being human.
Thank you, Kristijan, thank you to the Youth Council for this exceptional pleasure of being here. And finally, I see many of my fellow members sitting here. They know how many times I have said that there are no disabled people, there is a disabled society. Nature is a perfect creator, when it takes something away from you, it will develop something else. That is ideal harmony. That is the essence for which the world exists. There is a place for everyone in that world, regardless of differences, it is just that we sometimes see them inappropriately, and when you have nothing to see, you cannot appreciate it and you cannot behave appropriately. I think that this day and this event are a good lesson for everyone present and absent, it does not matter. There are cameras here, there are media here. They saw what Kristijan said, they heard what the Director said, and I really think it is high time to make this country a decent place for everyone to live in.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
