[nabs-l] Pimp My Cane

[Jedi]

Joe and all:

I can't imagine that it would make a big difference what color the cane 
is. Originally, canes for the blind weren't white; it was the Lions 
Club who figured it was a good idea to make canes white so that drivers 
could see blind people better and know to stop for them. The brightness 
of the cane was especially important then because we didn't have the 
cane travel skills that we do now. In all reality, the need for the 
cane to be white may be outdated. I'd say do whatever you like with 
your cane. I know one lady who had one of those ribbed Iowa canes, and 
she wrapped blue wire tightly in the ridges such that her cane was blue 
from top to tip. I also heard tale of a company in New York somewhere 
that makes black canes. So have at it Joe and we'll see your sporting 
new fashion at the next big gig!

Respectfully,
Jedi


Original message:
> I'm really not sure of the legality of this. I can't imagine it's too
> strict. I know the wording tends to say "white cane", but then there are
> canes with colored handles and/or tips.

> I got into decorating my cane once I was comfortable using one, but for
> safety reasons, I never alter the cane's primary color. I keep the bulk of
> it white since I know this will be ost easily seen by drivers, and I focus
> mainly on the handle and/or tip. I've made beaded loops to go at the end of
> the handle instead of that elastic thing, or sometimes I'd braid a loop with
> colored embroidery thread, and I've made covers for the handle out of
> fabrics, ribbons, beads, colored paper, or what ever suited me. Once on
> Valentine's day, I put a pink loop on the handle, wrapped red ribbon around
> it, and stuck a plastic heart at the end of the cane just a few inches above
> the tip. I figured that this was fitting for the occasion, but it was still
> pretty obvious by the main color of the cane and the way I was holding/using
> it that I was blind.

> On Sat, Mar 27, 2010 at 10:26 PM, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:

>> Hello all,

>> Finding myself low on my stash of collapsible canes, I called the National
>> Center and discovered they no longer carried those fiber glass types with
>> the chains.  I don't actually like the chains.  In fact, I promptly take
>> them off and lose them, and I much prefer these to the dorky ones with the
>> elastic bands, no offense if you happen to sport these.  Besides, I am now
>> a
>> dork, because since that's all they had, that's all I got.

>> So, my question:  Would it really not be acceptable to paint my cane a
>> different color?  I think the little elastic band is mortifying, and short
>> of replacing the cap with something cooler, I thought about painting my
>> cane
>> black or blue or some sweeter combination than the dull white, and I guess
>> the point is not so much whether this is acceptable.  I'll paint my cane
>> all
>> the colors of the rainbow if it so moves me, but legally, could someone
>> actually claim they did not know I was blind in the case of an accident if
>> my cane were not white?

>> Laugh all you want, but I'm thinking of starting a revolution of
>> multicolored canes.  You'll be jealous when I have a cane to match my
>> outfits!  It'th called getting in touch with my feminine thide.  *grin*

>> Thanks for any serious responses.  If we've never met, look for the smooth
>> operator with the brand-new black magic stick.

>> Best,

>> Joe Orozco

>> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
>> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing


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