Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane

Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane

Future Reflections Winter 1996, Vol. 15 No. 1
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6. Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane
Wash, Feed, and Dress Your Cane
The washing part is obvious, but I am a poor one to tell you, since I
don't do it often enough, myself. Collapsible canes that are held
together by an internal elastic cord need watching. Keep track of the
wear on the elastic cord, and be smart enough to replace it the day
before it breaks. Of course, it is better to be a month early than a
day late.
Cane tips last me anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. I carry a
spare tip with me most of the time. A cane tip with a hole in it sounds
different from a tip without the hole, and that is the sign to carry a
spare tip all the time. I have worn out or lost tips unexpectedly. The
unprotected end of any cane, especially fiberglass, is damaged quickly
when rubbed against concrete. Just wave the cane, and keep the tapping
to a minimum.
Does your cane have reflective tape on it? If not, you could put some
on it anywhere along the stem. It is an investment in night-time
safety. Reflective surfaces need to be kept clean or replaced to
maintain their reflective value.
If you associate with other blind people, as I do, you may want some
unique mark on your cane. I write my name in braille on Dymo tape and
stick it on the bottom end of the handle.
Where Does the Cane Go When Not in Use?
When answering this question, you discover the great advantage of the
folding or collapsible cane. Those styles can fit in a pocket, purse,
on a lap, or under a chair very easily.
There are two horizontal dimensions and one vertical dimension. Find
some place out of the way; lying on the floor under a chair or table,
standing in a corner, or leaning against a wall. Be sure that the cane
is lying flat on the floor and not resting on something that holds it an
inch or two above the floor where it will be just high enough to trip
the unsuspecting passer-by. In some crowded areas "up" is the only way
left. When I am seated, I sometimes lean the cane from the floor to my
shoulder, hooked behind my heel.
Once in a restaurant, I lost the tip while retrieving the cane from a
tiny place behind the booth. I remember that incident, and sometimes I
take the tip off before jamming the cane into tight places. In air
travel stick the cane in some out-of-the-way place, but do not let the
crew take it away from you. The regulations are now on our side.
Which Hand Do You Cane With?
The most obvious answer to this question is that you cane with your
dominant hand. I am right-handed, but I trade off when I carry a heavy
object. There may be a landmark I want to check on the other side.
When I am walking with someone else, holding on or not, it may be better
to have the cane on the other side to stay away from feet or another
cane. If someone is holding my cane arm, it restricts the movement. I
don't want that. I have had enough practice with my left hand so that I
am fully adequate, but I am still more comfortable with the cane in the
right hand. The question of which hand you use is a matter of the
convenience of the moment.
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