[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

[Julie J]

Before I worked with a dog or now when I don't take the dog, I use a 
fiberglass straight cane or a carbon fiber telescopic.  I'm 5'7" and most of 
my canes are 58 inches long. I have used the sectioned canes with the 
elastic cord through the middle.  They are much, much heavier than either 
the hollow straight cane or the telescopic canes.  I think you also loose a 
lot of sensitivity through all the joints.  The telescopic canes will auto 
collapse occasionally, although if you twist as you pull it helps.  cold 
weather also seems to make it worse.

I don't personally find putting a straight cane  out of the way any more 
inconvenient than collapsing and extending a folding model.  I do have 
issues with putting a straight cane on the floor in places where I don't 
know what's been on the floor, which is why I use the telescopic cane.  When 
folded I place it on the chair behind me or tuck it under my leg on the 
chair.

To the best of my knowledge you can't put a roller tip on a telescopic cane. 
All the roller tips I've seen don't have the right connectors to fit onto 
the telescopic canes I'm familiar with, which is the NFB model.   There 
could be something new I don't know about though.  the roller tips are quite 
a bit bigger than the small metal tips and will ad weight.

To help keep the cane from getting tangled in things, I find it helpful to 
lift it a bit more between touches to avoid every little sidewalk crack and 
clump of weeds.  If I'm swinging it too far on each side past the width of 
my body I will also get it tangled more often.  Indoors it helps to switch 
to a pencil grip posture with my hand.  Basically you hold the cane a bit 
further down to shorten the reach, in a more upand down position with your 
hand holding the cane like you would a pencil.  A good rule of thumb is the 
cane should contact the floor two steps ahead of you.  Outdoors your cane 
should reach at least three steps ahead of you because you are moving faster 
and need that space to react.

HTH
Julie


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Kelm" <jameskelm at earthlink.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; <blinddog3 at charter.net>
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 12:27 AM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!


> Dear friends,
>
>    I am looking at purchasing a new spiffy hot rod car of a cane, and I am
> hoping that some of the mobility experts on this list can help me select 
> the
> appropriate cane!
>
>    I am currently using, and have been using for years, a straight folding
> cane.  I do a lot of in and out of buildings, as well as a lot of 
> traveling
> within the interior of buildings.  I therefore like a cane that I can 
> "fold"
> and "unfold" quickly and easily, and that is convenient to stow away when 
> I
> am not traveling.  Because of this, a rigid cane is a big hassle for me! 
> I
> like the folding cane, but I am considering getting a telescoping cane. 
> My
> thought is that it will be convenient, and I tend to have a rather light
> touch, so I do not need something that will withstand a lot of abuse.  I
> also think that it might be a nifty little sport model, to be able to stow
> away a very small cane, but quickly pull it out to its length when I need 
> to
> go.  Do any of you have suggestions, or feedback concerning the 
> telescoping
> canes?
>
>    Secondly, I am considering the advantages/disadvantages of putting a
> roller tip on the new cane.  I tend to use a constant contact mythod, 
> rather
> than a tap tap style.  Although I have not had any significant issues, I 
> am
> wondering if it would be a bit more smooth given my cane method, if my 
> cane
> had a roller tip on it.  Am I correct, or is my thinking flawed?
>
>    Lastly, I am a statuesque 5 feet 5 inches tall.  My current folding 
> cane
> is 53 inches.  I am thinking that it is too long for me, and that my new
> cane should be slightly shorter, maybe around 46 or 48 inches.  As I said,
> most of my travel is done within buildings, and I find that the current
> length of my cane is always getting caught in objects, or I am having to
> pull it more closely into my body to allow it to be used in tighter 
> spaces.
> I often feel like either me, or my cane can fit in spaces where I am
> traveling, but not both of us!  LOLL
>
>    Thank you so much for your help!  I sincerely appreciate your guidance
> and suggestions!
>
>
> Your Brother in Christ,
> Pastor James Kelm
> Foundational Christian Family Ministry
> www.fcfministry.org
>
>
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