I suppose they are one of the most basic of assistive technologys for blind people, but also very personal to one's preferences... and one's budget. What are some of your cane hacks and tips, and what odd substitutes have you used?
I read a little of a discussion in another thread about the teliscoping canes collapsing sometimes during use. It happens occasionally when I haven't snugged each section together, the temptation being to just deploy it quickly, and it's immediately noticeable to me. When a section collapses during use, I stop for a second--though I've done it mid-step--catch the shoulder of the tip against the bottom edge of my footwear, and give the cane a pull to make everything tight. Out of habit, I do this before I start using it, just to be sure. Never had an emergency caused by a collapsed section.
* And as a side thought, it can also be managed if you're not wearing footwear: the beach around the neighborhood etc.
I find myself using any number of garden implements and even staffs I've carved from tree branches around my property (I grow and sometimes fell/limb fruit trees). I have them stashed all over the place. One implement is a cane-length of rebar with a crook bent in one end that I use to check how deeply I've watered by sinking it into the ground, or with the crook, grab high branches. A bit heavy for a cane, but I use what's handy.
By OldBear, 27 April, 2024
Forum
Assistive Technology
Comments
SensorBall weight
I got a reply back from Graham from Aspire who are selling the SensorBall. It does sound like the weight might be a problem for me so I'm probably going to stick with the rotary tips for now. But I thought I would paste some of his response below if anyone is interested in this sort of thing. I'd also still be interested if anyone else has tried either this or the PathFinder.
The Sensaball is larger than the 50 mm roller tip we supply for our canes and does definitely make the cane heavier, I am using one with mine. The amount of feedback it gives though is very impressive as it gives 360 degree coverage and unlike the pathfinder which is a similar tip which doesn't fit our canes anyway it doesn’t have grooves in it for things to get stuck in .
Used to love roller ball tips
However, I used to be renowned for slamming the tip into the bottom of doors, when navigating hallways, such as apartment buildings, hotels, dormitories, etc. I have since switched to something a little lighter and a little less noisemaking; the ceramic tip. 😅
Ceramic tips
I think ceramic tips are probably noisier than roller balls.
It ight be my technique that's at fault but my wrists really struggle to cope with a roller ball if I'm out for any amount of time with one.
The big rotary tip is my favourite as it has the balance of being reasonably light but also can go over surfaces probably better than anything else I've tried.
The ceramic is probably second for me because it makes the cane so light, although that is slightly countered by the need to use two point most of the time. It seems to also be quite resilient - I've used mine a lot and it is still working fine. I suppose constant touch probably puts more pressure on a tip so maybe that is partly responsible.
Re: Tips
I've heard it said that the heavier tips, such as the roller ball tip, can actually cause long time users to get carpal tunnel. I cannot say whether or not that's true, but it is the word on the street. As for the ceramic tip, I like this tip because it's kind of a universal tip, meaning that you can do constant contact, or point to point touch. And yes, slamming a ceramic tip into the bottom of a door can be quite loud indeed. Not that I would know anything about this. 😇
Flat bit of the handle
OK, this is one of those questions that's going to make me look stupid, but I'm used to that so let's go.
A cane's handle is typically rounded with a flat surface.
Can I ask - and bearing in mind this is a family forum - what do you use the flat bit for? I've always placed my thumb there with my palm wrapping around the curved bit. However, the WeWalk manual tells you to place the flat bit in your palm, and then your thumb rests on the controls.
So, is this how you are supposed to grip the handle? It feels odd to have the flat bit in what is naturally slightly curved, but maybe it makes sense to someone. Maybe I've been doing it wrong all this time.
Obviously getting to the heart of the really important questions here...
Can't say exactly but
On a normal cane the flat bit is there as well and I've always placed my thumb on that part. So, instinctively I would probably do the same even if the cane had buttons etc. So I don't think it is odd.
Holding the Cane
When holding my cane, the top of the handle rests in my palm and the flat part of the handle faces up. I rest my index finger on the flat part of the handle, and my thumb and other fingers curve around the underside of the handle.
Golf grip
That type of handle is called a "golf grip", because it's basically what you would find on golf clubs. Like Michael says above, I rest my index finger on the flat surface, and wrap the rest of my fingers and thumb around the rounded portion of the grip. My index finger on the flat surface gives me just a tiny little extra bit of tactile sensation while navigating with my cane.
Think of it like this, I'm holding my cane, with my index finger extended, and the cane becomes an extension of my index finger.
HTH.
Re: grip
OK I never thought to try that - I will hopefully remember to give it a go later on today.
I fleetingly played golf in my youth until I realised I didn't have the patience for it, and I was taught the grip, but it's all fallen out of the brain now.
How odd
Ok so I was wrong. I place my index finger on the flat bit. When I wrote above I wasn't using it obviously and for some reason thought I used my thumb lol. Now I've used it again it isn't. Strange how your mind play tricks.