How does using a cane work?

[kaytieeldr]

Recently there was an article about TSA and canes - oddly enough they are among commonly confiscated items. Folks buy used antique canes without ever knowing there is a knife stored inside. Some even have full swords, though many are not actually sharp. It seems sort of like an oddball thign to me, but I can imagine that it would be pretty upsetting for someone elderly to make such a discovery under those terms.

Honestly, what seems 'oddball' to me is buying a cane and not knowing it contains a weapon! That's something any seller should have made clear!

That said, a few years ago I bought a fancy cane at Animal Kingdom (on the suggestion, and with the help, of some new friends I'd made at my resort). The store wrapped it up really well, all padded with thick paper and wrapped in plastic and taped closed - so I could get it home safely. Well, naturally, it was too long to pack in my suitcase...

When I got to airport security, the TSA person was insisting I couldn't bring it through - because it was, in her opinion, a weapon! I offered to unwrap it and use it - along with my 'regular' cane - as a mobility assistance device, but she was adamant. Finally, a supervisor showed up and let me and it go through - granted, the canes went on the belt and so it was evident all they were was canes... but still, it was unnerving.

 

[Storm632]

As a PP said, you can buy foldable canes at Walmart or Walgreens. Fashionablecanes.com also have collapsible canes. I purchased mine there and you can get a palm handle. It is a bigger handle which fits your palm better. It still folds down pretty well. I attached to my....gasp....fanny pack with the Velcro tie. Worked great. The only thing to be aware of is that the palm handles are made for a right or left hand, depending on which hand you plan to use it in. You are able to use it in both, I know because I bought it for my left and now need to use it in my right hand, but it just doesn't fit exactly right or is as comfortable. I found the foldable canes durable and have been using mine for 2 years.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One other thing I wanted to point out - folding canes aren't necessarily as height-adjustable as 'solid' canes. I'm just over five feet tall and wasn't able to get a folding cane at the right height (with the arm dangling at one's side, the handle of the cane should be at the same level as the user's wrist), so when I used it I always had it jutting out much further than it should have been for safety.

 

[clandrum]

One other thing I wanted to point out - folding canes aren't necessarily as height-adjustable as 'solid' canes. I'm just over five feet tall and wasn't able to get a folding cane at the right height (with the arm dangling at one's side, the handle of the cane should be at the same level as the user's wrist), so when I used it I always had it jutting out much further than it should have been for safety.

That is good to know. My mom is only 5' and I would not have thought of that.

 

[KPeveler]

There is also a way to get a GAC which will allow you to go around stairs in queues - I know with my bad knee, stairs were the worst! You do NOT skip any lines with this card, you just go around the part with stairs a little, like in Splash and TSMM. I am not sure what other queues have stairs, but I know not walking on stairs may be very helpful.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our disabilities board in case the folks over there have any additional information.

 

[peemagg]

Tell your Mom not to worry about traveling with a cane. It will be quite easy as others have pointed out.

One word of caution to everyone who buys one of the folding canes from a company called Carex. They are the makers of the cane and it can be bought at Walmart and other places over the counter. I have the one that has the cushioning on the back part of the handle. It just doesn't hold up well (the grip of the handle). I now have 2 of the same canes and both of the grips are falling apart and coming off. I don't use it everyday and I did alert the company to this problem. Their response was to send me a replacement cane and then tell me if it happened again, that "I should get a different style". The company just doesn't stand behind their equipment.

 

[BroganMc]

I purchased my cane (a hand-carved, lightweight wooden cane) in China at EPCOT for a whopping $5. It was an impulse purchase and the best cane I've ever owned.

I love it's old-fashioned styling and it's light weight. It has knobs in the wood that act as a perfect cradle for my palm. And the light weight makes it very easy to use. I added a rubber cane tip for extra stability.

On the plane, it's better to get a window seat so you can keep your cane by your side during the flight.

Disney allows you to take canes on every ride where the risk of losing it is minimal. Thrill rides like Test Track, Dinosaur, Soarin' and the coasters require you to leave your cane at the boarding area with a CM.

Only tip I'd give a cane user is to be careful where you put the tip. As sturdy as that rubber tip is, if you place it on a piece of paper (napkin, park map, etc.) laying on a smooth floor (inside of any restaurant), it will slide out from underneath you. A glance to be certain you know what you're leaning on suffices.

Otherwise, I really wish newbie folks to the DifAble world would get over the shame aspect. Truth is everyone will lose abilities with their bodies in time. It's a normal course of aging. Tending to your needs while continuing to enjoy life is a sign of wisdom. After all, which would you prefer to be... a spunky old broad who keeps going everywhere with a tricked out ECV and fancy cane or a cranky old broad who constantly hurts and sees no point in life beyond her youth?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I purchased my cane (a hand-carved, lightweight wooden cane) in China at EPCOT for a whopping $5. It was an impulse purchase and the best cane I've ever owned.

I love it's old-fashioned styling and it's light weight. It has knobs in the wood that act as a perfect cradle for my palm. And the light weight makes it very easy to use. I added a rubber cane tip for extra stability.

Hmm... sounds a lot like my Animal Kingdom cane... not the price or description, but the smilarities are there. I bet if you look (if you haven't removed all the stickers, or check the next time you're at Epcot) there's a warning indicating it's for decorative purposes only

 

[peemagg]

Otherwise, I really wish newbie folks to the DifAble world would get over the shame aspect. Truth is everyone will lose abilities with their bodies in time. It's a normal course of aging. Tending to your needs while continuing to enjoy life is a sign of wisdom. After all, which would you prefer to be... a spunky old broad who keeps going everywhere with a tricked out ECV and fancy cane or a cranky old broad who constantly hurts and sees no point in life beyond her youth?

Wow! That is a great way to put it!

I had to laugh at the rest of the post. I think I'll be the one all tricked out.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hmm... sounds a lot like my Animal Kingdom cane... not the price or description, but the smilarities are there. I bet if you look (if you haven't removed all the stickers, or check the next time you're at Epcot) there's a warning indicating it's for decorative purposes only

I'd love to have a cane from Animal Kingdom. Where exactly did you get it? And do you have any pictures of it? Also, BroganMc, I'd love to see a picture of the $5 one from Epcot. I hope I can find it easily in CHina. Now I'm really kicking myself (but carefully, my knee hurts). On my last trip, as I limped around, I kept wishing I'd brought a cane. It never occured to me that I might be able to buy one (or at least an acceptable substitute) while I was there.