Category: Let's talk
Hey all. I'm trying to order a new cane but I'm not sure how long my previous one is. I'm 5 foot 4. Anyone know how long my cane should be? For those of you that are around my height how long of a cane do you use? Thanks.
Troy
You don't belong to the NFB, do you? Because I've heard that the NFB tells people to get a cane that comes up to their forehead. But any mobility teacher I've had has said to get them tall enough to come up to the middle of your breastbone. I've 5 foot 8 and used to use a 52 inch but now prefer a 54 inch cane. I would guess you to need a 50 inch or 48 inch cane. Since I know you live in Columbus, I would suggest you come into Vision & Vocational Services and have Don show you a couple in these sizes so you can decide.
I was told to measure from the ground to your chin.
Troy I'm your height, I use 52 inch cane. I tried a 54 inch but the instructor told me to go down two inches. And I've been comfortable with a 52 for a year now.
Why in god's name would the NFB ask for someone to measure from the ground to your fore head? Don't you think thats a little too long?
I don't belong to the NFB, but that's what I've heard they tell people. God only knows why.
LOL that's hysterical!
I use a 50 inch cane, and I'm 5'4. I used to use a 52, but it was just too long. I was told to measure from the ground to your armpit
Kate's probably right, she uses the same measurements I do anyway. but I'm taller, so a different hight...so
A cane up to mid-chest or a little higher works for me. Troy: if you have someplace where you can try before you buy, go there. I've learned that the sizes can differ among brands and based on the brand-specific tip(s).
I belong to the ACB. I'll have to check Don out. He's probably going to kill me as every time he's either fixed my cane or I buy a new one from him I have it broken or something goes wrong with it in a month. This time my bungy cord snap well one of them did so I have the parts together held by tape. Creative isn't it?
Troy
Well, Troy, look at it this way. Don will keep his job as long as he has repeat customers like you. LOL
Well, T-roy, stuff happens. Re: your buying from Don, always support your local, independent business when possible; LOL! As for your taping cane segments together, I'd say "How McGiver", but, you didn't use chewed gum, or the like. LOL. Maybe, next time you're at the cane shop, you buy two or three, and always carry a spare.
I always have a spare. I keep an extra one in my closet at home.
I use a 48 inch cane, and its up to my collar bone actually. im around 4'aa and a half or 5'0. something like that.
Troy, I agree with the post that suggested the armpit as a measuring point. I find it a good compromise between the NFB point and the breastbone measurements. I saw a part of an article that actually went through mathematical equations and photographs to deetermine the armpit as a good rule of thumb.
I must tell you that as I've gotten older, my reflexes aren't as quick, and my cane length has increased. I'm about 5 6, and I use a 58 inch cane. I just bought this one, but the next one will be a 60--inch cane. I'm graduating!
Lou
Good point, re: reaction times. If they tend to be slow, get a long cane.
Wow up to the armpits? I dunno, that seems alittle short to me... But maybe I am just used to getting something a little taller, I'd say up to about the chin or so. I am about 5-7 and I use like a 56 inch methinks, but I am not 100% sure. I also am one of those people who only likes folding canes there can be no other cane in my oppinion, the others just make me uncomfortable.
Well, I also prefer a folding cane for lots of reasons. I must confess that because of the rigid nature of long canes they do a better job of conveying auditory information. The cane tip also factors into this, too. It used to be that folding canes felt really "flimsy" in your hand when I was learning to travel, but the manufacturerers have gotten better at making them more rigid with lighter materials and longer joint pieces. Nobody has ever stopped me on a plane with a folding cane.
Lou
yeah, folding canes are better, simply for the fact that you can put it in your pocket or under a seat on a train or plane with no fuss. And as for cane height, the sternum is a good reference point, I'm 5 feet, nine inches, and I use a 54 inch me thinks? Well I believe the new one is a fifty four inch at least. Not awake yet. *yawn*
Yeah, people who use straight canes often cause problems for other people with their damn canes. They lie them down on the floor instead of propping them up in a corner somewhere, and people come along and trip over the cane and then grumble about blind people...anyway, it's just better to have a cane you can fold up.
i like folding canes myself, much easier to store and to keep around you.
How about telescoping canes?
Telescoping canes...
I tried one; could not keep the thing from collapsing while trying to use it. Maybe there's a special technique? Maybe there's an improved model whose sections stay better locked?
-D. A. H.
the NFB has a different style for using the cane, i think you are poking up and down to the left and right, instead of going back and forth at your waste.
i had a Telescoping cane, and loved it.
but are hard to fine one long enough, i'm 6 2 and use a um, 62 inch cane, i think, well it's around there, it comes up to the bottom of my throat.
The trick with many of the telescoping canes I've used before the broke on me is to not just pull the sections out, but to twist them a little in the clockwise direction. While I'll never be a fan of the telescoping cane for my personal use, I got about eight months of use out of one of them by doing this regularly.
Lou
I tried a telescoping cane once when on vacation because I thought it would be easier to carry than my larger, more bulky folding cane. Turned out to be a big mistake. It kept collapsing and was basically useless. Whenever I did get the sections twisted just right so it wouldn't collapse, then it was almost impossible to get it collapsed when I wanted it to collapse.
Maybe I'll buy one and modify my technique, along with twisting the sections to lock them. They're light and inexpensive. Who knows, the telescoper may grow on me...
Dave (A. K. A. Sobadude on KOL)
Dave, if you could figure out a way to put a cable fitting on there, it might make a fair antenna for VHF if its aluminum.
Lou A.K.A. WA3SFU