[Blindtlk] Cane Gripping

Fri Jun 19 19:51:33 UTC 2015

I think you are correct.  Also, a longer cane allows you to hold it more 
comfortably, rather than with that uncomfortable position of having your 
elbow against your gut.  There is, however, such a thing as having too long 
a cane, which can produce problems as well.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Szostak, Christine via blindtlk
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 2:09 AM
To: S L Johnson ; Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Szostak, Christine
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping

Hi!
  To my understanding, the reason for the longer cane, is to give you 
adequate warning time about things you are encountering. If your speed 
increases, your need for more warning time increases so that you have enough 
time to react and alter course. Also, if you have longer strides, it can 
improve your warning time about obstacles as well. Feel free anyone to 
correct me if my info is not accurate.
Happy Finally Friday!
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 S L Johnson 
via blindtlk
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 1:33 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: S L Johnson
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Cane Gripping

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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