[Nyabs] NFB Cane Philosophy

[Alexander Castillo]

Hi Jorge, the previously mentioned way of using the cane, by your
side, rather than in front of you, is what allot of people do with the
long white canes. They are certainly longer than the typical cane,
reaching to your nose or eyebrows, so you can have the cane by your
side and walk with a more natural gate. However, you can still use the
cane in the traditional manner, but realize that this technique might
not allow you the same flexibility as having the cane by your side.

For example, in a very crowded area, you can hold the cane by your
side and control it's length by holding it it at different places
along the body, according to how much room you have to  maneuver.  I
would suggest not sticking to one way of using the cane, one of the
advantages of using the longer cane is that it can be utilized in
different ways. Go out there and walk around, figure out what the best
techniques to use in crowded areas are, indoors, in narrow, or in
large open spaces. If you know the basics of cane use, just go out
there and see how you feel most comfortable.

But in short, Yes, try the cane by your side at around hip level,,
hold it by the tip and then  move it from side to side, as you would
normally do with any other cane.

Alex

On 5/2/10, Rob Blachowicz <rob_blach at hotmail.com> wrote:
> This question is a bit complicated to answer.  The Federation highly
> suggests strait cains or at least carbon fiber canes and all of the cains
> that the NFB Suggests are about chin or nose level and come with metal
> glider tips.  The NFB doesn't say there is anything wrong with other cains
> but national does suggest the above mentioned.  The reasoning for this is
> because there less weight and the hight of them helps in putting them at
> your side instead of in front of you for easyer comfort.  If anyone wants to
> add or subtract from what I said feel free if I'm wrong.
> Rob Blachowicz
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Jorge Paez" <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
> Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 3:29 PM
> To: <nyabs at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nyabs] NFB Cane Philosophy
>
>> Hi all.
>> I have an NFB white cane I got from an event I attended in MD.
>> I was using it over there with no problems, but encountered some problems
>> in my methods of processing data that the cane gave me, due to the fact
>> that it was a longer cane then I usually use, and I was using the DOE's
>> standard technique.
>> What's the NFB's philosophy of cane use in dealing with their own canes?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Jorge
>>
>>
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