[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Sun Mar 13 20:29:01 UTC 2011

Thanks Bryan,
I will do what you said; although, I think I have done everything from
pulling harder to the twisting as well.
It's mainly just the very bottom joint that gets loose.
Straight canes might be an answer, but I wonder about the quick
putting away of a cane when I'm in areas like restaurants and outdoor
events where there are many people.
Aren't straight canes more of a problem?
Tom

On 3/11/11, Bryan Schulz <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> hi,
>
> you are just not pulling the joints hard enough.
> you can let the sections extend to the ground then catch the tip between
> your shoes and pull the top segment and feel the friction.
> the only time mine becomes shorter is when i don't tug as hard as normal.
> you can do a twisting/rotating motion while extending it for more success.
>
> Bryan Schulz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:44 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
>>>
>>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential
>>> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or
>>> entity(ies)
>>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>>> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or
>>> acting
>>> in reliance
>>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>>> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>>> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>>> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>>> -----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
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindtlk:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.gov
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindtlk:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/tom.cramer1%40gmail.So,
>>>
>>> what type of cane is good?
>> Tom
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/b.schulz%40sbcglobal.net
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/tom.cramer1%40gmail.com
>