[Blindtlk] Choosing Cane Lengths

[Judy Jones]

Another way is to use the longer cane closer in to the body when indoors or 
a crowd.  You can also hold the cane farther down the shaft which will 
effectively shorten it for you.

Judy


-----Original Message----- 
From: James Kelm via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2014 7:08 AM
To: Szostak, Christine ; Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Choosing Cane Lengths

Dear Christine,

    I'm sure that many others will respond to your question with much better
ideas than mine, but I'll throw my two cents in here and hopefully it will
be of some help!

    For me personally, I find that I am most comfortable with two different
lengths of cane.  Of course if I am out and about I don't take both of them
with me, but it does give me an option before leaving home, depending on
what general travel I will be doing.  For general out of doors travel, I
tend to prefer a longer cane, one that if standing will reach level with my
chin.  The longer reach will offer a greater amount of warning when the tip
encounters an object, stairs, etc.  This can be especially helpful if you
are a faster walker, because once you identify an object, there won't be a
lot of warning before your body reaches it.  You may even want to consider a
bit longer of a cane such as one that is level to your nose, to provide a
bit more time to evaluate something in your path, before you actually reach
it.

    In doors I find that a longer cane only serves to get tangled up in
objects more often, and often can intrude into other people's space.  For
example when I go to a local store that I often frequent, if I use a too
long of a cane, it is always getting tangled up in displays, or bumping
people's angles.  For me personally, this is undesirable and uncomfortable.
For these reasons, and because I generally moved slower when in a confined
area such as in a store, I prefer a shorter cane.  I personally use one that
is at collar bone height.  I find that this still gives me enough warning of
what is in front of me, but I am not spending so much time trying to
untangle it from chairs, displays, or strangers legs.

    Of course this is only my opinion, and I am not that fast of a walker.
Your mileage may differ!  LOLL


Your friend,
James


-----Original Message----- 
From: Szostak, Christine via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2014 6:43 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] Choosing Cane Lengths

Hi All,
  What are your recommendations for cane lengths? I am 5 ft exactly and a
relatively fast walker.
Happy holidays!
Chris
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