[Blindtlk] Cane suggestions needed please!

Mon Mar 14 18:12:13 UTC 2011

I personally do not like streight canes, I find them unconvenient. for one, 
if you're in a apartment with a lot of people and don't have a lot of 
storage room, it's easier to have a folding cane you can put in a back pack, 
or a purse, or drawer, or something like that, and it is just so much easier 
at resturants as well because you don't have to worry about putting it next 
you against the wall in a booth or under 2 chairs at a table. That's just my 
opinion though.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 5:08 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
>>>>
>>>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
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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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