[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!
Gary Wunder
gwunder at earthlink.net
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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