Tips on the end of canes that is.
For many years I have used a tip called a "rolling ball." It is
different
than the mushroom or marshmallow tips that some people have because the
ball
is larger in diameter and hollow. The end of the cane is kept on the
ground
and the ball rolls back and forth in front of you as you walk. The
advantages of this tip are that it doesn't get stuck as much as a
straight
tip and because it is hollow it gives the acoustic information that is
missing in both the straight tips and some of the larger solid tips.
This
tip has worked very well for me for over 20 years I am sure it could be
fabricated in India for much less money than I pay for mine that I get
from
Canada.
More cane tips or rather, tips for using canes:
It is essential that the movement of your cane covers the entire width of
your body. You must ensure that your cane has touched the ground in all
the
places where you intend to put your feet thus avoiding holes or
compensating
for uneven ground. If you are right-handed for example, you would hold
your
cane in your right hand but your hand would be in the center of your
body,
not to the side. In this way you will be sure to touch everything. When
you encounter an obsticle, you would move your cane first to explore
where
you want to put your feet before actually stepping there.
Whether or not your cane should remain on the ground or hit the ground
with
more of a tapping action is debatable. I leave mine on the ground
because I
get more information that way and minimize the chance of missing
something
important. Feeling subtle changes in the ground or floor with my cane
first
gives me information about where I am.
The length of a cane is also important. Most canes in India are to short
for maximum effectiveness and present a safety problem. So the cane can
be
used at its full length so you have time to stop or change course if
necessary. This avoids the problem of coming up on a flight of steps for
example and not having enough time to react in time to line up properly
on
the steps. Although having a longer cane is necessary, it is also
necessary
to shorten the length by moving your hand down below the handle to
accomodate our traffic situation and overcrowding found in India and many
developing countries. This is just situational management and practice
to
know how far in front of you the tip of your cane should be in different
situations.
There are a million strategies like this that people use every day to
keep
themselves independent and safe. We could have entire discussions and
debates on how to ask questions, using compass directions, listening for
information, dealing with the public, keeping bags and belongings from
getting stolen, traveling on trains and buses, handling money, etc.
Jean
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