[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Mon Mar 14 03:30:55 UTC 2011

On 3/13/11, Cindy Handel <cindy425 at verizon.net> wrote:
> James,
>
> I don't know what a hook tip is.  That would be interesting to find out.
>
> I've seen a roller tip which looks like a wheel on the end of the cane.  I
> believe the roller ball is just what it sounds like...a ball on the end of
> the cane that can roll, enabling you to roll the cane.  I've never used
> either of these two types of canes.  So, I can't say which would be
> preferable.
>
> Cindy
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Kelm" <jameskelm at earthlink.net>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!
>
>
>     First I want to thank you all for the wonderful responses and help that
> you have provided concerning this issue!  Thank you!  It is so refreshing to
> see people who sincerely are interested in helping others, even if only on a
> small issue.  Again, thanks"!
>
>     Now as long as you all are in the helping mood...  I have another
> question that I may be the only person left in America that don't know the
> answer.  *smile*  As I review my options for my new cane, I noticed that
> there are apparently millions of tips that exist since the last time I
> purchased a cane, back in the eighteen hundreds.  LOLL
>
>     What the heck does it mean when they say a "hook tip"?  I am picturing
> in my mind something that rather than going straight at the bottom, it hooks
> slightly downward so that although I am holding the cane at a slant, the tip
> is held flat on the floor.  Am I at all close?
>
>     Also, I noticed that there is something called a "roller tip", and a
> "roller ball".  Are these different names for the same thing, or is there a
> difference?
>
>    I hope that you are all having a nice day, and please, please, please say
> a very special prayer for the folks in Japan!  They have such a struggle,
> and it points out just how helpless we can all be during times such as this
> disaster!
>
>
>
> Your Brother in Christ,
> Pastor James Kelm
> Foundational Christian Family Ministry
> www.fcfministry.org
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!
>
>
>> 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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>> >
>> >
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>>
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I know about those disk shaped tips that the NFB telescopic canes use.