[stylist] New roller tip

Wed Apr 6 18:02:21 UTC 2011

I totally understand how a roller tip provides info about the surface
you walk on, and it will identify cracks and bumps, but those of us who
use a metal tip and follow a tapping technique also find this info too.

My husband and I walk on the walking trail near our house, and we are
not out for a leasurely stroll.  We both use long canes with metal tips
and tap shoulder to shoulder.  We have never tripped or fallen because
of the surface we encounter.

We both also use public transit and go about the city with the same
canes and method with the same results.

I've only tripped when I am not using the proper technique.

Bridgit

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:02:51 -0400
From: Judith Bron <jbron at optonline.net>
To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] New roller tip
Message-ID: <E9F2193EE62F4DF7BC36BAA7F5C989A7 at dell5150>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
	reply-type=original

Bridget, My roller tips have always indicated the change in floor
texture 
like cement to grass, carpet to hard flooring.  Since our sidewalks and 
streets are in such deplorable condition my roller tip alerts me to pot 
holes, any other kind of hole and curb to street.  My cane reaches my 
shoulder, but I don't know what that's supposed to mean.  The place
where my 
husband ordered the cane told him to measure from under my armpit to the

floor.  This is the same place where I got my watch.  I ordered one
watch 
from independent living aids and it was all wrong.  I previously owned a

watch with 4 buttons that was easy to set and just behaved itself.  The 
watch from ILA had a button for the time, but the same button also told
me 
the temperature.  Huh?  I never wanted to be a meteorologist.  If I want
the 
temperature there are phone numbers to call or I can always go out on
the 
porch and feel the temperature.  Anyways Nissen found a place in our
native 
Buffalo that sells equipment for the blind and visually impaired.  I got

both my watch and cane from them.  You're right.  Whatever cane a person

uses depends on what the individual wants.  That is probably why canes
don't 
fall into a one size fits all category.  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 3:42 PM
Subject: [stylist] New roller tip

> Judith,
>
> What about any audio cues like when hallways or buildings open up so 
> you know when to turn?  The tap technique helps me recognize these 
> audio cues.  Or what about finding doors?  Again, the tapping 
> technique usually distinguishes the difference between walls and 
> doors.  It also tells me when floors change from carpet to a hard 
> surface, or cement from grass.
>
> Please don't misunderstand me-- I am not judging.  I am just curious 
> how different modes of travel, and different types of canes, work for 
> people.  I say different strokes for different folks.  Or maybe 
> different motions?  *smile*
>
> For me, and this is just me, the rolling technique does not give me as

> much info, but I also create my own technique at times.  I think we 
> all do.
>
> When walking around campus, people do not pay attention to my cane, 
> and when there are crowds of people rushing about, I tend to hold my 
> cane closer to my body, but I hold it between my pointer and ring 
> finger, like a cigarette.  *smile*
>
> Of course, I am now very familiar with campus so I pretty much know 
> where everything is so I don't require that long reach, however I 
> still cane shoulder to shoulder so I don't run into stuff, or trip 
> over anything.
>
> Again, for me, the tap technique helps me find those bumps and items 
> on the ground that may trip me.
>
> How long is your cane?  I forget the size of mine, but it is taller 
> than me, and I am 5'5".
>
> Anyway, I just get curious about this stuff-- how other methods work, 
> how others cane, etc.
>
> I guess this is off topic, but at least we have some discussion.
> *smile*
>
> Bridgit
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:28:21 -0400
> From: Judith Bron <jbron at optonline.net>
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [stylist] New roller tip
> Message-ID: <09CB903C3786415E8DE5CB059F4ABA5C at dell5150>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; 
> reply-type=original
>
> Bridgit, This tip relays information on a larger area than the 
> mushroom tip. Yes, I tried the metal tip and hated it.  I guess it's 
> all what you're used
> to.  I learned on a rolling tip and that's what I'm used to.  My new
tip
> is
> better on relaying information about the surface I'm traveling .  At
> least
> in my town the streets and sidewalks are poorly maintained.  I find
this
>
> additional information a treasure not to be taken lightly.  Judith
> -----
>
>
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 11:49:51 +0530
From: "Jean Parker" <radioforever at gmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [stylist] roller tips
Message-ID: <4CC902E5150A42DB93A0C224ABCB994C at jean1ca8e1ee6b>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Judith:

I don't know if the tip I use is the same as yours but I also use a
roller.  The one I use is hollow so some of the acoustic information
that you get with a metal tip is retained.  
Living in India and traveling mostly in developing countries it is
absolutely necessary to stay safe.  It is not advisable to ever remove
your cane from the ground when walking and because the tip is large it
doesn't get stuck so much on the uneven surfaces or obsticles. 

Jean

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:58:12 -0400
From: Judith Bron <jbron at optonline.net>
To: Jean Parker <radioforever at gmail.com>,	Writer's Division
Mailing
	List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] roller tips
Message-ID: <414062BC1A9843F1A502E2C01062F460 at dell5150>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
	reply-type=original

Jean, I don't know if it's hollow, but you sure have a tough path to 
navvigate.  When I go out for a real walk instead of just walking on the

street in front of my house I'll find out how it works on even more 
treacherous pavement.  Do you live in India?  Do you do work with blind 
people in India?  Take good care, Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jean Parker" <radioforever at gmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 2:19 AM
Subject: [stylist] roller tips

> Hi Judith:
>
> I don't know if the tip I use is the same as yours but I also use a
> roller.  The one I use is hollow so some of the acoustic information
that 
> you get with a metal tip is retained.
> Living in India and traveling mostly in developing countries it is 
> absolutely necessary to stay safe.  It is not advisable to ever remove

> your cane from the ground when walking and because the tip is large it

> doesn't get stuck so much on the uneven surfaces or obsticles.
>
> Jean
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site: http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
> <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jbron%40optonli
ne.net
> 

------------------------------

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