[nabs-l] NFB and canes and travel

[Misty Dawn Bradley]

Hi Pat,
I have used both types of canes. I was also taught the way you were taught 
with the standard aluminum folding canes, and that is what I am currently 
using now, because it folds. I have also used the NFB canes for a few years, 
and there is a different way you hold it. Also, the gripe is not made of 
rubber like the gulf club style grips on the other canes, and the grip is 
completely rounded with no flat side to it like the traditional folding 
canes have. I think the reason you hold the standard folding cane in the way 
you described is because of the style of handle, because it does have a flat 
side on the cane grip, but the NFB canes do not have this. The NFB canes are 
also lighter, and I think you can still move the tip along the ground, since 
the tip is round and kind of flat like a disc or a circle. The only thing I 
didn't like about the NFB canes is that they don't fold, although the NFB 
does offer a telescoping cane that folds into itself, but I didn't have much 
success with those, because they tended to fold/collapse when I didn't want 
them to. The NFB canes do seem to offer more tactile feedback though, since 
you can feel a little more with it, but I think that both canes are good, 
and it depends on a person's individual preference on the grip style, weight 
of the cane, and the convenience of folding.
Hth,
Misty


-----Original Message----- 
From: Patrick Bennet
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 3:49 PM
To: patrick.bennet807 at gmail.com
Subject: [nabs-l] NFB and canes and travel

Hey everyone,

I just joined the list. I have some questions about cane travel and I
hope you might be able to help me with this. Before I ask, I should
probably explain.

For years I received instruction in O&M through my school district. I
was given a folding cane with a standard rolling tip, which seems to
be pretty commonly ordered by most agencies and districts. I think
they come from a place in Canada .... but don't quote me on that. That
is what I've always been used to. They seem decent enough.

But, I've read some online literature from the NFB about cane travel,
including structured discovery (as opposed to routes) and a different
kind of cane you use that is lighter an uses a metal tip. I've also
heard about something called a rainshine tip. Maybe they are the same
things.

Anyway, I've always been taught to hold the cane with the palm of the
hand over it, with the index finger pointing down the flat side. This
allows the cane with a roller tip to stay on the ground, also called
constant contact. Is this not correct? From what I've read on the NFB
website, your canes have metal tips, which would seem harder to slide
over rough or cracked areas but would give more feedback. I also read
somewhere that the grip is supposed to be different. In short, I'm
wondering what the differences and advantages are. If so, I'd like to
learn more. I've already read that they are lighter. Do you use them
or hold them differently with another grip? Can NFB canes take roller
tips and use constant contact, and if not, why? Is there really that
much of an advantage to a cane that doesn't fold? I'm curious to learn
about the differences, because I've never heard about them otherwise.

Thanks,
Pat

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