Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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advice on extending cane usage, it is getting ridiculous. (self.Blind)
submitted by complex-blobfish
i am a cane user, i love my canes, but i walk really fast and i am really heavy handed. i also have tourettes, so my cane often gets thrown or lifted up and slammed down on the ground hard.
i have been going through canes quicker and quicker, they are currently only lasting me 3 months maximum before either: a section of the shaft cracks, the tip breaks off leaving the broken bit stuck in the end or the elastic snaps.
i currently use a 125cm ambutech aluminium folding cane (5 folding sections). with a high mileage roller ball tip or a rover tip in the hook style.
has anyone got any suggestions for making my canes last longer, or have any other brand of canes that you found to be stronger.
or just any advice at all.
i have been going through canes quicker and quicker, they are currently only lasting me 3 months maximum before either: a section of the shaft cracks, the tip breaks off leaving the broken bit stuck in the end or the elastic snaps.
i currently use a 125cm ambutech aluminium folding cane (5 folding sections). with a high mileage roller ball tip or a rover tip in the hook style.
has anyone got any suggestions for making my canes last longer, or have any other brand of canes that you found to be stronger.
or just any advice at all.
CloudyBeep 7 points 1y ago
If you walk quickly, 125 cm may be too short. I'd also recommend a graphite cane for increased durability.
Mamamagpie 1 points 1y ago
I know I’m late to this. I’m almost 5’2” and my canes are 57” and 56” (then add 2” for the ball). That is much longer than your cane. Mine are almost as tall as me (62”).
ukifrit 1 points 1y ago
I'd try to be less heavy handed.
complex-blobfish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
i use the constant contact technique and i hug the wall or curb. i have 20/1200 vision with no depth perception, loss of central vision and visual hallucinations that distort anything i can perceive.
i walk fast so to keep my rhythm obviously my cane is swinging fast also.
i also have tourette syndrome which means i can't control my movements and speech sometimes and it makes me strike my cane hard on the floor a lot.
being less heavy handed is not really an option for me. i am not sure i am going to hit something until i actually hit it.
i use echo and other techniques to assist my orientation. but i am having trouble with being able to detect things above my ankle and lower than my chest, like post boxes and public bins ( aka garbage buckets) that stand on legs.
i walk fast so to keep my rhythm obviously my cane is swinging fast also.
i also have tourette syndrome which means i can't control my movements and speech sometimes and it makes me strike my cane hard on the floor a lot.
being less heavy handed is not really an option for me. i am not sure i am going to hit something until i actually hit it.
i use echo and other techniques to assist my orientation. but i am having trouble with being able to detect things above my ankle and lower than my chest, like post boxes and public bins ( aka garbage buckets) that stand on legs.
ukifrit 1 points 1y ago
you can test other cane materials. They're expensive here, but I think in the US and UK you can find them for cheaper prices.
codeplaysleep 1 points 1y ago
I'm 5'5", have a short stride, walk pretty slow, and have somewhat decent remaining vision and that length is barely long enough for me.
I'm not sure if it would solve any of your durability problems, but you may have better luck with a longer cane. It would give you more warning/reaction time at least, which may reduce problems like broken tips or the cane getting caught.
Graphite is also going to be more durable and lighter, so in addition to being a stronger material, there will be less impact force on the joints when you strike the cane on something.
I see you mentioned elsewhere that sometimes a rigid cane isn't practical, but you could get one to use for the times that it is possible and then only use the folding cane when you need to.
I'm not sure if it would solve any of your durability problems, but you may have better luck with a longer cane. It would give you more warning/reaction time at least, which may reduce problems like broken tips or the cane getting caught.
Graphite is also going to be more durable and lighter, so in addition to being a stronger material, there will be less impact force on the joints when you strike the cane on something.
I see you mentioned elsewhere that sometimes a rigid cane isn't practical, but you could get one to use for the times that it is possible and then only use the folding cane when you need to.
complex-blobfish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
that is a good idea.
i am 5.3 or 4. last time i checked, that was about 4 years ago though. i am 20 so i guess i have probably grown a little.
do you think if i get a longer cane, i will be able to have enough time to slow down before impact making less force?
my tip mostly breaks when i am walking fast and hit something i didn't prepare for. like new obstacles.
i have thought about getting a longer one for a while, but i trip people up as it is and i didn't want to trip more sighties up. though if it is a decision between my mobility and sighted peoples ankles. i guess sighted people are just gonna have to look where they are going for once, LOL.
it may be stupid but i thought aluminium was stronger because in my mind, metal meant it was the strongest. i guess i am going to go for graphite next then.
​
what length of cane would you recommend i try. i have lots of spare shafts, so i can make them shorter if necessary. i do walk quite fast and sometimes can overtake sighted people. i walk to the sides, so i am constantly hitting the wall at my side with the cane on every stroke.
thank you.
i am 5.3 or 4. last time i checked, that was about 4 years ago though. i am 20 so i guess i have probably grown a little.
do you think if i get a longer cane, i will be able to have enough time to slow down before impact making less force?
my tip mostly breaks when i am walking fast and hit something i didn't prepare for. like new obstacles.
i have thought about getting a longer one for a while, but i trip people up as it is and i didn't want to trip more sighties up. though if it is a decision between my mobility and sighted peoples ankles. i guess sighted people are just gonna have to look where they are going for once, LOL.
it may be stupid but i thought aluminium was stronger because in my mind, metal meant it was the strongest. i guess i am going to go for graphite next then.
​
what length of cane would you recommend i try. i have lots of spare shafts, so i can make them shorter if necessary. i do walk quite fast and sometimes can overtake sighted people. i walk to the sides, so i am constantly hitting the wall at my side with the cane on every stroke.
thank you.
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 1y ago
How tall are you? I'm 5'9" and I use a 142cm cane and considering getting an even longer one. Also do yourself a favor and switch over to graphite. It's lighter and stronger.
KillerLag 1 points 1y ago
One method of getting a stronger cane is a cane with a solid shaft (it doesn't fold). But that causes other issues, since it can't be folded.
where did you get the cane from? The store I get my canes often has spare parts (from older canes that were donated) and the store manager sometimes does repairs with them (swaps them out). Depending on the damage and how many parts need to be replaced, though. I've seen some franken-canes where each section is a slightly different length.
Where you live, do you get government funding for canes? In my province, they would cover 75% of the cost of a cane every year.
where did you get the cane from? The store I get my canes often has spare parts (from older canes that were donated) and the store manager sometimes does repairs with them (swaps them out). Depending on the damage and how many parts need to be replaced, though. I've seen some franken-canes where each section is a slightly different length.
Where you live, do you get government funding for canes? In my province, they would cover 75% of the cost of a cane every year.
complex-blobfish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
the problem i have with the rigid canes is that while they are more durable, i can't get them into some types of small cars and they cause much more damage to things as i walk. i broke a shop window this way, the window went all they way to the floor with no metal barrier at the bottom.
the folding canes have a bit of give in them and are much lighter so they are less likely to cause big damage.
i feel called out LOL, i have a franken-cane made from the graveyard of previous canes. i get my canes from the one provider of blind equipment in my country, they only sell ambutech canes. uk
where i am you get given one cane when you are registered blind, but after that you have to cover all costs alone, though you can loan an emergency cane if needed for up to 6 days.
the folding canes have a bit of give in them and are much lighter so they are less likely to cause big damage.
i feel called out LOL, i have a franken-cane made from the graveyard of previous canes. i get my canes from the one provider of blind equipment in my country, they only sell ambutech canes. uk
where i am you get given one cane when you are registered blind, but after that you have to cover all costs alone, though you can loan an emergency cane if needed for up to 6 days.
mantolwen 1 points 1y ago
Are you sure? My fiance gets his canes from the RNIB and he hasn't needed to pay for his new ones.
complex-blobfish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
oooooooooooooooo. i have never heard this before. how did you get them paid for if you don't mind me asking?
i know we don't have to pay the tax, but i have always been told that you only get a cane for free after you have been registered and completed your cane training.
and i have never been offered a cane for free after that.
please ask them how they got it. i am about to lose half my income and won't be able to afford to keep up with new canes so often.
i know we don't have to pay the tax, but i have always been told that you only get a cane for free after you have been registered and completed your cane training.
and i have never been offered a cane for free after that.
please ask them how they got it. i am about to lose half my income and won't be able to afford to keep up with new canes so often.
mantolwen 1 points 1y ago
I'm not sure. Maybe it's just the RNIB in Edinburgh but we went to their shop and they refused him offering to pay for it. He was getting a replacement as his old cane was completely busted. Bring the old one with you.
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