[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Sat Mar 12 14:55:18 UTC 2011

Hi Tom.  When you extend the telescopic cane, are you twisting a 
bit as well as pulling? This makes a lot of difference in my 
experience.

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Cramer <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:44:54 -0800
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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mer1%40gmail.So, what type of cane is good?
Tom

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