[Blindtlk] Cane Gripping

Fri Jun 19 05:32:51 UTC 2015

Hi,

How can you possibly use a cane that is several inches taller than you are? 
I am 63 inches tall and my cane is 48, the same length I was given when I 
lost my sight 43 years ago.  That length has always worked very well for me. 
alright, I'll admit, I don't use a cane all that often because I am a guide 
dog user.  The only times I use a cane is if I am in between dogs or if my 
dog is unable to be with me.  I find using a cane very tiring.  The constant 
back and forth movement of my hands is extremely painful because I have 
severe carpel tunnel and arthritis.  In order to give my hands a break, I've 
taught myself to use the cane in both hands so I can keep switching.  I do 
not hold out the index finger but hold the cane with all my fingers wrapped 
around it and my thumb along the flat part of the golf style grip.   I had 
heard that NFB believed in much longer canes but never understood the reason 
why.  I've tried longer canes that friends have and I found them to be 
extremely clumsy and awkward to use.  To my thinking, a much longer cane 
would be sticking out so far it would constantly get stuck on stuff and 
cause people to trip.  Although I prefer a guide dog, I am an excellent cane 
traveler but hope I never have to go back to the cane that I hate..

Sandra who loves Eva, her golden guide dog

-----Original Message----- 
From: Danielle Antoine via blindtlk
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 11:16 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Danielle Antoine
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping

Well, I stand 4 ft. 10, okay for those who prefer a even number even
though it's actually 9.5 inches and my cane length is 61 inches. Okay,
must get new lighter canes since my Ambutech one is now a bit too
heavy for me.

On 6/18/15, Mark Tardif via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I think many of us now prefer a longer cane than was normally accepted by
> the orientation and mobility community.  This has several advantages,
> including the fact that you don'e have to press your elbow into your gut,
> you can walk more comfortably with a loser grip.
>
>
>
> Mark Tardif
> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Szostak, Christine via blindtlk
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 3:41 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Cc: Szostak, Christine
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping
>
> Hi,
>   Interesting, I always just assumed that position was for guidance or 
> some
>
> such thing:). I will have to give that a try. Thanks for the idea!
>
>   I just switched to a cane that is about 4 inches shorter than I am since 
> I
>
> am too fast of a walker for one that is 8 inches shorter than my full
> height:) according to my O&M instructor so hopefully that will work quite
> well for me.
> Chris
>
> Dr. Christine M. Szostak
> Assistant Professor of Psychology
> Department of Social Sciences
> Shorter University
> Rome, Georgia
> szostak.1 at osu.edu
> cszostak at shorter.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hyde, 
> David
>
> W. (ESC) via blindtlk
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 3:37 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Cc: Hyde, David W. (ESC)
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping
>
> Hi there. I know when I learned I had to keep that index finger extended. 
> I
>
> really don't remember why, but I'm sure that it had something to do with
> control. When I went to a longer cane, I found that uncomfortable, so I
> simply rest the butt end of the cane in my hand, and hold on to it 
> loosely.
>
> For me, this has had several benefits. First, because the cane is long, in
> don't worry about centering my hand on my body. After a few years, I felt
> like Quasi Moto. The cane is long enough to give full coverage. Secondly, 
> if
>
> someone kicks it, or trips over it, and no matter how careful you are and
> how good of a pencil grip you have, they will, the cane leaves my hand. It
> absorbs the shock rather than me.
> The only absolute thing about cane travel is that it should hit things
> before you do.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Szostak,
> Christine via blindtlk
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 2:29 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Cc: Szostak, Christine
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping
>
> Hi All,
>   I have kind of a silly question but just thought someone might have some
> suggestions.
>
>   I have noticed that now that I am starting to use my cane a lot more, I 
> am
>
> getting a  blister on my middle finger where it rubs up against the cane
> handle. In other words, with my index finger pointed out, my middle finger
> falls against the cane and as it moves back and forth  the fabric on the
> grip is rubbing up against my finger and is causing it to blister over
> time.
>
>   Does anyone have any solutions such as a slightly alternative hand 
> grip...
>
> to help keep this from happening? Any ideas or suggestions would be much
> appreciated:)!
> Thanks in advance and have a wonderful (hopefully not too hot) day!
> Chris
>
> Dr. Christine M. Szostak
> Assistant Professor of Psychology
> Department of Social Sciences
> Shorter University
> Rome, Georgia
> szostak.1 at osu.edu<mailto:szostak.1 at osu.edu>
> cszostak at shorter.edu
>
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