[stylist] rollerball cane tips

[LoriStay at aol.com]

Blind people have been using canes for a long time, though usually in the 
literature they talk about sticks, or tree branches whittled down, etc.
As for carbon fiber canes, I actually have some experiences!   The first time 
David used one was at an NFB convention.   A friend had bought it for him as 
a present.   I walked in front of him when we went somewhere (Kansas City, I 
recall), probably to lunch, and his cane wound up between my legs.   To prevent 
my falling, I somehow broke the cane in half!   It might be stronger than the 
lighter fiberglass, but it was brittle too.   We brought the cane back to the 
exhibit hall, and it was replaced.   He's used carbon fiber ever since.   But 
once, our chapter had a bumpersticker that said, "I brake for white canes," 
which I somehow kept quoting as "I break white canes!"
Lori

In a message dated 11/15/08 8:57:36 PM, n6yr at sunflower.com writes:


> that is very well written.
> one would think you a professional in writing and mobility!
> I did the "knowledge base for today's chapter meeting.  brought in my
> rollerblah cane and my old fiberglass.  I made the point you did
> about lighter is better for safety and control.
> mother of blind child asked about carbon fiber solid (nonfolding)
> canes.  what do you think of those?  I have no experience.
> I also made the point that lighter made the cane more sensitive to
> what  is at the tip to be detected.
> was a five to seven minute presentation, much more than that then in
> questions and discussion.
> 
> robert it made my mind wander too: when did canes first get used by
> blind people?  is there a book on the history of the cane?  if not,
> maybe we need to write one.
> 
> 




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