Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Sooo uhhh my elastic snapped back into my cane help! (self.Blind)
submitted by mammaube
I posted a while ago about how my tip was basically broken and was trying to get a new one. Well I had to completely take it off today cause it's not usable at all. But when I did that the cord went back very far in my foldable cane. Ive tried using a pen and a pencil to get it out but nothing I have is thin enough. I tried pulling out the cord to floss it back through but I can't get the last rod thanks to the knot. I don't have any wire hangers to use so idk what else to do. My cane is pretty old now I've had it since 2015 I believe so I considering asking for a new one due to the paint falling off and other stuff. I'm meeting my VR counselor on Thursday so cause of this newest thing to happen I'm wondering if I should ask my counselor for a new cane instead. Any tips on how to get the cord out? Or should I just get a new cane? Also I have to go somewhere on Tuesday and we'll I need my cane sooo how do I use my cane without a tip? I'm kinda in a pinch here 😅
Shadowwynd 2 points 1y ago
I don't recommend using the cane without a tip, for the same reason I don't recommend driving on your rims if your tires are gone. You can do it, but it will total your cane.
How I have gotten the elastic out when I dropped it inside the cane: take a metal coathanger, unbend it. Bend a very tight hook in one end with pliers. Insert into cane and try to snag the elastic and pull it out, or try to push it from the other end. I have occasionally had success with a thin knitting needle or chopsticks as well.
How I have gotten the elastic out when I dropped it inside the cane: take a metal coathanger, unbend it. Bend a very tight hook in one end with pliers. Insert into cane and try to snag the elastic and pull it out, or try to push it from the other end. I have occasionally had success with a thin knitting needle or chopsticks as well.
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
Can't you just use it as you would a regular cane? Sure it has no tip but you can still do two point touch, right?
mammaube [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yeah I tried it out today it wasn't horrible
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
Good :)
matt121134 2 points 1y ago
Something I've done that helps is attach an extra string before I start threading it through the final piece. This way if you use something that isn't elastic, it's usually easier to pull it the rest of the way through. You then need to hold it there while removing the extra, but hey.
Sorry if this explanation didn't help. I have not yet consumed coffee. Agreed that you should definitely have a backup though, being stuck without a cane is usually disappointing and infuriating.
Sorry if this explanation didn't help. I have not yet consumed coffee. Agreed that you should definitely have a backup though, being stuck without a cane is usually disappointing and infuriating.
mammaube [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I have one just not on me or with me at a new house. It's at my parent's house and I'm not going back there. So I need some pointers of how to use a cane without a tip on it.
CloudyBeep 2 points 1y ago
I suggest contacting your counsellor now and asking for two canes, one being a backup.
OldManOnFire 1 points 1y ago
Grab a pair of vice grips or some sort of clamp or a safety pin. Take a piece of thread and start feeding it through the end of the tubing. Feed it through each piece until you get to the elastic band.
If you can sew the thread through the elastic band, do that. If not, tie the thread around the elastic band as close to the end as you can. You don't want the elastic band to fold over itself inside a tube so keep that in mind when you decide where to tie the knot. If you can wrap some tape around the knot in such a way that you can keep the elastic from folding over that would be a good idea.
Once you've got your thread secure pull the elastic band through the tubing. Once you have a few inches of elastic band out use your clamp or vice grips to keep it from retracting, or run a safety pin through the elastic so it can't retract. You should now have a few inches of slack, enough to reattach your tip.
If you need real time help DM me and I'll give you my phone number.
If you can sew the thread through the elastic band, do that. If not, tie the thread around the elastic band as close to the end as you can. You don't want the elastic band to fold over itself inside a tube so keep that in mind when you decide where to tie the knot. If you can wrap some tape around the knot in such a way that you can keep the elastic from folding over that would be a good idea.
Once you've got your thread secure pull the elastic band through the tubing. Once you have a few inches of elastic band out use your clamp or vice grips to keep it from retracting, or run a safety pin through the elastic so it can't retract. You should now have a few inches of slack, enough to reattach your tip.
If you need real time help DM me and I'll give you my phone number.
mammaube [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I don't have any of these supplies XD and my tip is completely destroyed I can't use it anymore. So I need some pointers on how to use my cane without a tip until I get a new cane.
OldManOnFire 2 points 1y ago
Can you get the pieces of the shaft back together with the elastic inside? If so you might have to use your cane as a tipless ID or a conflict de-escalation tool by tying a knot in the elastic big enough that it can't retract. If you need it for navigation then try tying the elastic around something quiet and non abrasive you can use as a temporary tip, like a dish washing sponge or a rolled up sock.
If you can't get the shaft sections to stay together and can't tape them, then consider something long and thin and stiff enough to slide inside the sections and give your cane some rigidity. You mentioned not having a wire coat hanger. What about a roll of 16 gauge electrical wire or bailing wire? A thin wooden dowel? The wire handle of a flyswatter?
Finally, if you have a hoodie or sweatpants with a drawstring you might want to try replacing your elastic with the drawstring. Drawstrings usually have some elasticity and the agates should make getting them through each section of your cane easier.
Good luck!
If you can't get the shaft sections to stay together and can't tape them, then consider something long and thin and stiff enough to slide inside the sections and give your cane some rigidity. You mentioned not having a wire coat hanger. What about a roll of 16 gauge electrical wire or bailing wire? A thin wooden dowel? The wire handle of a flyswatter?
Finally, if you have a hoodie or sweatpants with a drawstring you might want to try replacing your elastic with the drawstring. Drawstrings usually have some elasticity and the agates should make getting them through each section of your cane easier.
Good luck!
Pinknose27 1 points 1y ago
Always have a back up. Contact them right away and see if they can help. My daughter has like 3 backups.
mammaube [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I do but not on me so I need some pointers on how to use it without a tip.
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