[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Sun Mar 13 22:08:44 UTC 2011

I don't think straight canes are a problem, at all.  For the rare occasions 
when I know I'll be going somewhere with a lot of people, and going along 
with someone, in a car, I do use the telescoping cane.  But, for the vast 
majority of times, I use my straight cane.  I've never had a problem stowing 
it in a restaurant or at a concert.

In a restaurant, for example, you could lay your cane down so the top is 
under your chair and the tip is under the chair of the person across from 
you.  If you push the cane back so it's just at the back edge of your chair, 
it will probably be safely under the other person's chair, too, and won't 
get stepped on or tripped over.  If you're in a booth, it can be rested 
along side you, near the wall.

Cindy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

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
>>>
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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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