[nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER 117- Why My Type of Cane

[Robert Leslie Newman]

NFBtalk
RE:  Why My Type of Cane

The new THOUGHT PROVOKER #117 is on a mission to look at the reasons why we
choose the cane we do.  If you have not read the THOUGHT PROVOKER, it
follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web site for
all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
Http://thoughtprovoker.info  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent
directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net 

THOUGHT PROVOKER 117
Why My Type of Cane
Slowing traffic sounds to my left was the first indication the corner was
nearing.  It was Saturday morning, downtown, and I was on my way to meet up
with fellow members of a local consumer group of the blind; we were to march
in a community pride parade, wearing our specially labeled T-shirts,
brightly stenciled placards held high and everyone's white cane tapping in
cadence.

"So far I do not like this new tip!"  I was trying out a new version of the
Rain Shine tip; its upper part had been changed from a pliable rubbery
substance to one that was rigid.  It hit harder, changing both the vibration
and sound of the cane.  I always modify my cane, try and make it be the best
tool for me.  This one was a long white cane, up to my nose, because I was a
fast walker and needed the extra forewarning of what was coming up.  It was
made of fiberglass, its shaft basically a hollow tapered tube and where it
originally was outfitted with a longish metal screw inserted into its small
end to accommodate the snapping on of a large metal tip, I removed the
screw, Put on this smaller tip which slipped snuggly onto the end of the
shaft, with the result being the cane was lighter at its tip end, easier to
manipulate and gave a higher pitch to the tap.  

The echo feedback from the buildings I paralleled to the right ceased, a
breeze struck, sounds opened up to right and left, the end of block and the
curb was next.  TAP, TAP.  "There they are."  It was the echo of utility
poles next to the curb-cut.  Two strides later I felt the tip of my cane dip
slightly down, showing me the slant of the curb-cut.

The cars to the left advanced, no traffic approached from the right and so I
stepped out.  Across the street was where we were to meet prior to walking
to the staging point.  Crossing swiftly, I used the echo feedback from the
on-coming curb to locate the lower audio profile of the curb-cut and pointed
my steps to it.  

Up on the sidewalk I listened down the block, scanning for anyone.  "Nope,
no one here."  I was first.  Then I heard footsteps coming.  CLOP, CLOP.  As
the footsteps got within 15 feet, I heard the nylon tipped cane my friend
Nancy use; totally blind, her preferred travel combo was to wear shoes with
loud  soles to set up echoes and a quiet cane to feel for obstacles.  

The next person coming up was Marlene, her roller tipped cane going
"WIZ-/RATTLE-WIZ."  She was partially blind and preferred this mode of
travel aid.  

The next cane I recognized coming was the lose jointed rattle of Tom's old
metal tipped, red-bottom folding cane.  

Soon, we had two dozen of us there, each with his or her favorite cane and
we were ready to head out for the final rendezvous .  

"Excuse me."  Spoke up a guy that had walked up.  "But I notice that many of
you have different styles of white canes, some tall, some short and some
with a red bottom.  And I'm curious as to why that is?  " 



Robert Leslie Newman
E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info

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New THOUGHT PROVOKER 117- Why My Type of Cane
NFBtalk
RE:  Why My Type of Cane
The new THOUGHT PROVOKER #117 is on a mission to look at the reasons why we choose the cane we do.  If you have not read the THOUGHT PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web site for all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
Http://thoughtprovoker.info
Http://thoughtprovoker.info
  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
THOUGHT PROVOKER 117
Why My Type of Cane
Slowing traffic sounds to my left was the first indication the corner was nearing.  It was Saturday morning, downtown, and I was on my way to meet up with fellow members of a local consumer group of the blind; we were to march in a community pride parade, wearing our specially labeled T-shirts, brightly stenciled placards held high and everyone's white cane tapping in cadence.
"So far I do not like this new tip!"  I was trying out a new version of the Rain Shine tip; its upper part had been changed from a pliable rubbery substance to one that was rigid.  It hit harder, changing both the vibration and sound of the cane.  I always modify my cane, try and make it be the best tool for me.  This one was a long white cane, up to my nose, because I was a fast walker and needed the extra forewarning of what was coming up.  It was made of fiberglass, its shaft basically a hollow tapered tube and where it originally was outfitted with a longish metal screw inserted into its small end to accommodate the snapping on of a large metal tip, I removed the screw, Put on this smaller tip which slipped snuggly onto the end of the shaft, with the result being the cane was lighter at its tip end, easier to manipulate and gave a higher pitch to the tap. 
The echo feedback from the buildings I paralleled to the right ceased, a breeze struck, sounds opened up to right and left, the end of block and the curb was next.  TAP, TAP.  "There they are."  It was the echo of utility poles next to the curb-cut.  Two strides later I felt the tip of my cane dip slightly down, showing me the slant of the curb-cut.
The cars to the left advanced, no traffic approached from the right and so I stepped out.  Across the street was where we were to meet prior to walking to the staging point.  Crossing swiftly, I used the echo feedback from the on-coming curb to locate the lower audio profile of the curb-cut and pointed my steps to it. 
Up on the sidewalk I listened down the block, scanning for anyone.  "Nope, no one here."  I was first.  Then I heard footsteps coming.  CLOP, CLOP.  As the footsteps got within 15 feet, I heard the nylon tipped cane my friend Nancy use; totally blind, her preferred travel combo was to wear shoes with loud  soles to set up echoes and a quiet cane to feel for obstacles. 
The next person coming up was Marlene, her roller tipped cane going "WIZ-/RATTLE-WIZ."  She was partially blind and preferred this mode of travel aid. 
The next cane I recognized coming was the lose jointed rattle of Tom's old metal tipped, red-bottom folding cane. 
Soon, we had two dozen of us there, each with his or her favorite cane and we were ready to head out for the final rendezvous . 
"Excuse me."  Spoke up a guy that had walked up.  "But I notice that many of you have different styles of white canes, some tall, some short and some with a red bottom.  And I'm curious as to why that is?  "
Robert Leslie Newman
E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info