Guest guest Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 When people see a cane they get outta the way. A doctor in town hit a girl at the movie with his cane. She was on the cell phone. Pretty funny when he smacked her with that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2005 Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 Hi Elaina, I understand where you are coming from about not wanting to use a cane. My husband has been wanting me to get one also, but I too have been very stubborn about it. I am going to be 42 next month and also having a hard accepting it. Just wanted let you know you are not alone. Laurie in Sarasota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2005 Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 ... Your cane sounds great. At Christmas I decorate mine like a candy cane. A novelty conversation piece. We need to have a few smiles along the way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2005 Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 Elaina and Laurie - Please believe me when I tell you that using a cane is really no big deal. I just turned 47, but began using a cane at 43. I too had the " vanity issue " , but I had to get over it for my own safety. I went through the same thing when I had to start wearing AFOs. My cane helps me maneuver around other people, it helps me keep my balance, and it gives me at least some stability. First and foremost, though, it warns people they need to get out of my way. I've found that people are just more respectful of my space when they see I need assistance when to walk. I can almost guarantee you that you'll get comments and questions from nosey or otherwise concerned friends or acquaintances. Questions like, " What did you do to your leg? " will grow old for you to hear after awhile. But, the comments do subside eventually. I'm always honest with people when they ask - it just helps create awareness of the disease. I'm sorry to tell you that my cane will be coming obsolete for me soon. My neurologist urged me to get a walker last June, and I've been fighting that concept. I did some research and decided I would settle on a Rollator. He wrote me a prescription for one last week. If it keeps me from falling and breaking a bone or spraining an ankle, then it will be well worth surrendering to it. SAFETY FIRST. I hope you will learn to feel the same way about your canes. Please keep in mind that if your vision were not 20/20, you would get contact lenses or glasses to help you overcome that weakness. Your cane can become your " corrective lenses " . Good luck with your decisions. K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2005 Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 Thanks to all who responded about the use of a cane! It has made me feel better. I guess when you first consider using one you think you will have to use it all the time. But I really never thought about using it on unfamiliar or " rocky " areas only for now. Our yard would be a good place to start I guess. We have a huge yard and in the winter it get's used as the driveway so I can park close to the house. Well when the snow starts to melt you sure do see where the trucks have been parked! The ruts are like the Grand Canyon! Maybe I'll just start off slow out there and work my way into it. Thanks everyone!! Elaina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2005 Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 I to started to use a cane about 2 years ago, It has made all the difference in the world for me. I use to hate to walk by a group of people, I thought they would think I was drunk, now I just walk by them, they can see with the cane I have a walking problem. My daughter made me a beautiful cane, she covered the whole cane in rhinestones, its like a find piece of jewelry, so many people stop to ask me about the cane, there so busy talking about how beautiful the cane is, they don't even ask why I use it. Good luck, I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 , your Christmas cane sounds great, its so much fun meeting nice people over the cane. I have only typed in to this board once but I read it all the time. It's great talking with people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Elaina, no you do not have to use it all the time, I did the same thing as you used it once in a while, still today I do not use it every day, just when I need it. I also have a scooter I use just a few times a year like at the fair, zoo, things were I would be walking all day. I hope you give it a try the first time is the hardest. Keep in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 ...... Maybe we should start a " cane workshop " . Bet we could come up with some good ones ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 , Thanks for the tips. I'll try not to be so stubborn. Elaina/NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 , I know we could come up with some good idears, I love to have canes for different outfits, Like one for jeans. *** and , perhaps a good idea would be to get together by email, and discuss all the ways you can 'dress up' a cane. Put this in Word format, then send it to me so I can upload it into our Files. Then if you still get ideas, send them to me and I can add them. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Elaina, you are not begin stubborn, when you are ready you will do it. And I know the first time is so so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Dawn, when I don't use my cane, I use my rollator (walker on wheels). Who cares if people treat you like " less of a real person " ? Who knows what their perception of you really is anyway? I think a real person is one who accepts and faces challenges they are presented with. You are responsible for how you feel, and you can't let other people's perception of you diminish that. Actually, I think people get out of my way more when I'm using a cane; they are aware that I need some space! It's a safer scenario than not using one! K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 In , Dawn Turmenne <mommyg9026@...> wrote: > > ers, I'm wondering. Do you have to use a cane to walk? > > And, if so, do you always use the cane? It's not just that I could trip. It's that I don't know when my feet will make me trip so I should use the cane all the time. In reality, people treat you less like a real person when they see the cane. I know this sounds discouraging and I have to figure out whether to use it for myself. Well, that's enough for now. I don't want to sound discouraged. > > By you guys, I'm encouraged. But, by my environment, I am not. And I'm in the lib. now so that's why I sound this way. I just want to get some information. > > Dawn > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Dawn, I use a cane all the time and treat it as if it is my pocketbook; just an accessory and i find that others now look at it the same way! Hold your head up and act like you are lucky to have one to lean on! It is all about attitude; although i will tell you that everytime i have experieced a lack of ability to do something i used to and have to depend on something else, i do get nervous and self conscious and then i use the attitude adjustment! I too get nervous when on uncertain grounds but run circles in my own house! Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I used a cane for about 3 years or so, then had to move on to a walker after that. used the walker for about a year and now full time in a wheelchair since about 2000. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have CMT and I use a cane when I am out of the house doing stuff. I have been " stared at for years " like I was weird, so I don't let it bother me. It allows me to start conversations and if people aren't interested, they don't ask. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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