[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Cindy Handel cindy425 at verizon.net
Sat Mar 12 14:28:40 UTC 2011


Well, the bit about not having a cane too long, because it could trip people 
is nonsense!  You could trip someone with a short cane, because you have to 
hold your arm out further in order to cover the area of your longer stride. 
A longer cane is definitely more safe, for you, and you'll learn to hold it 
closer to your body, when necessary, or use it almost vertically, using a 
pencil grip, when in a crowded area.  But, even all these things won't 
prevent sighted people from tripping over your cane, because they just don't 
pay attention and don't watch where they're going.  So, I'd get the correct 
length cane for your height and walking style.

Cindy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 2:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!


Thanks for bringing this topic up.  I have a very similar question.
I have been getting some of the NFB telescopic canes for a while now,
but I always find that the last section is the one that always
collapses.  I don't like folding canes because I find them too heavy
but I like the telescopic canes because I can just put them away or
keep them out of the way when they're not being used.
However, what advice would you have about a good cane to get if these
telescopic canes are always collapsing when I use them?  I am also 6
ft 1 and think that the canes I have are too short but at the same
time, I have been told not to get a cane that's so long so as not to
trip people and not to be so distracting with it.
Tom

On 3/11/11, Graves, Diane <dgraves at icrc.in.gov> wrote:
> Hi James,
>
> Well, unfortunately I haven't found this to be a win/win situation. For 
> the
> purpose of convenience, I really like the telescopic canes. However, what 
> I
> don't like is the fact that, particularly as they age,  they tend to start
> folding up on you when contacting items or obstacles which offer any
> resistance. I stop and tighten them up, and this works for a while, and 
> then
> they encounter something else and try to collapse again. They look good.
> They are handy. They definitely stow away quickly and easily, but for the
> sake of travel, they can be very frustrating, and may even provide a 
> hazard
> or two.
>
> I did really like the roller tips. I tend to use the constant contact 
> method
> too. I don't know whether you could put one of these on a telescopic cane 
> or
> not. The cane wouldn't stow as easily with one of those.
>
> As for the length, if you are 5/5, I definitely would not recommend going 
> to
> a 46 inch cane. I am 5/1, and usually buy about a 57/58 inch cane. You
> really want to have that length to assure that you have the coverage and
> enough forewarning of steps and other things. If you don't want to go any
> longer with your canes, I definitely wouldn't go any shorter. If you go to 
> a
> roller tip or one of the larger tips, the cane won't get caught as much.
>
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
> "It is service that measures success."
> George Washington Carver
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of James Kelm
> Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 1:28 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List; blinddog3 at charter.net
> 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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> what type of cane is good?
Tom

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