[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Mon Mar 14 18:04:46 UTC 2011

I've used a roller tip, and I hate them, they're heavy, they get caught in 
side walks and don't work well in grass.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 10:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!


> 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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>>> >>>
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>>> >>>
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>>> >>> blindtlk:
>>> >>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/tom.cramer1%40gmail.So,
>>> >>>
>>> >>> what type of cane is good?
>>> >> Tom
>>> >>
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>>> >
>>> >
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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.
>
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