[nfb-talk] walkers?

Chris Westbrook westbchris at gmail.com
Tue Jan 3 15:12:57 UTC 2012


Unfortunately no one really knows yet because no one can figure out exactly what is going on.  I have therapy until at least next week and see a neurologist next month, so at this point it's anyone's guess.
On Jan 2, 2012, at 8:08 PM, Anjelina wrote:

> Chris,
> I'm glad to hear the walker is working out for you. How long will you have to use this mobility device?
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Chris Westbrook
> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 2:49 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?
> 
> It occurred to me that I hadn't written a response to update you all and thought I would if any of you are interested.  I got my walker on Thursday. It is a walker with two wheels on the front facing away from you and two legs on the side that is toward you with two handles on either side for holding on to.  I find I  can navigate around my house pretty well, although it took some getting used to because I had to judge turns and landmarks differently because of my bigger size.  As far as people guiding me, I  have either had them give me verbal directions with a little help occasionally or grab onto the side of the walker away from me and pull me along.  This kind of works but I am careful who I let do that as they need to pay attention and not walk too fast.  I would hate to go flying off a curb because someone forgot they had a walker behind them.  But if I really trust the person and/or there is no sets around that works well.  Just thought I'd let you know how things were going.  Let me know if you have any questions.
> On Dec 27, 2011, at 1:33 PM, David Evans wrote:
> 
>> Dear Terri,
>> 
>> Some places do not know about these "feelers".
>> You need to check with a surgical supply house to get them most likely.
>> There is also a White, with Red tip, support cane for the blind as well.
>> It looks just like a regular support cane, with the hooked handle, but i.e. White with a red tip on it.
>> Another place to check is a surgical supply catalog company to see if they carry them.
>> Here, where I live in south Florida, they seem to be very common, both the feelers and the Blind support canes.  It may be different where you are at. I live here in the "elephant's Graveyard".
>> 
>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <Terry.Powers at nih.gov>
>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 9:25 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?
>> 
>> 
>>> David;
>>> I wonder why the store, where I got my walker did not tell me about these. Good imfo to have in case my sight gets much worse.  He knew I had a sight problem.
>>> This has never been mentioned by the NFB.  Are there any other walking aids for the blind?  I have pain in my feet and find myself using my white cane, when stepping off cerbs as if it was a regular walking cane.
>>> Terry P.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: David Evans [mailto:drevans at bellsouth.net]
>>> Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 1:04 PM
>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?
>>> 
>>> Dear Gena,
>>> 
>>> The feelers can be placed at a spot on the frame of the walker so that they can be used to locate curbs and most steps , going up, as well as walls and furnature.
>>> One feeler is pointed straight ahead and another is pointed slightly to the side, on each side of the front rail of the frame to sense walls, curbs and steps, before you hit them and the ones on the sides are there to help you follow a wall or find the sides of a door frame opening.
>>> The feelers are flexible and bent when they hit something.  You can feel this and change your direction according to what the feelers are telling you.
>>> There are also the ultrasonic glasses the vibrate when there is an object in front of you that can also be obtained and used too, but I think it is overkill for the most part.
>>> I do not know what might work for you, so I am just throwing it out there for your knowledge.
>>> 
>>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
>>> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 10:05 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> I didn't know about the feelers, do they help with finding curbs before the
>>>> front of the walker does?
>>>> Or steps things like that?
>>>> Interesting to me.
>>>> 
>>>> Original message:
>>>> 
>>>>> Dear Chris,
>>>> 
>>>>> You can get little "feelers" to go on your walker to help you sense
>>>>> things
>>>>> in front of your walker.  The just clamp on the frame of the walker and
>>>>> you
>>>>> can use either two or four of them to help you "feel" your way along.
>>>>> The two in the front will feel things in front of you and if you put two
>>>>> on
>>>>> the sides, they will feel things on either side of you for trailing a
>>>>> wall
>>>>> or finding openings such as doorways and counters.
>>>>> The feelers are only about a foot long, are spring loaded and flexible.
>>>>> They are usually white in color and have Red plastic tips on them.
>>>>> You should be able to get them from the same place you get the walker or
>>>>> from a surgical supply store.
>>>> 
>>>>> I hope this helps and you recover quickly.
>>>>> Happy Holidays.
>>>> 
>>>>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:47 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>>> Chris,
>>>> 
>>>>>> Sorry to hear about your fracture. I don't have much experience using a
>>>>>> walker, although I know it can be done. As my mother, is at the LCB
>>>>>> center,
>>>>>> uses a walker because of balance issues and issues due to her diabetes.
>>>>>> She
>>>>>> has a walker with very big wheels, and that has a seat for resting
>>>>>> purposes.
>>>>>> I have never heard of a ruling walker. I do believe that there is a list
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> the NFBnet site for people who use walkers and wheelchairs. If you were
>>>>>> asking about a wheelchair I could help you there, as I have done this
>>>>>> several times sadly.
>>>> 
>>>>>> Good Luck, feel better soon.
>>>> 
>>>>>> Merry Christmas!
>>>>>> Marsha Drenth
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>> On
>>>>>> Behalf Of Chris Westbrook
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 7:08 PM
>>>>>> To: NFB List
>>>>>> Subject: [nfb-talk] walkers?
>>>> 
>>>>>> I have unfortunately lost quite a bit of balance due to a stress
>>>>>> fracture
>>>>>> and possibly other things, and when I was at physical therapy today my
>>>>>> therapist showed me and recommended I get a ruling walker.  I'm
>>>>>> considering
>>>>>> it for around the house and longer distances possibly, but I am
>>>>>> wondering
>>>>>> if
>>>>>> I could really use one in an unfamiliar environment.  Clearly using a
>>>>>> cane
>>>>>> with one would be out of the question because of holding on to the
>>>>>> walker
>>>>>> with both hands, but is there a way of doing sighted guide or something
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> one of them?  I suppose someone else could put their hand on the handle
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> me and guide me that way.  Does anyone have any experience wit using a
>>>>>> walker?
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
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>>>>>> com
>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> 
>>>> -- 
>>>> --Dar
>>>> skype: dmgina23
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>>>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>>>> every saint has a past
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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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> 
> Anjelina 
> 
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