Caring For Your Cane
This discussion took place many years ago before the internet
really got started. The below messages were posted on a chat
group called Blink Talk which was, for those of you who remember,
on a network called the Fido Net.
By: Phil Scovell
To: All
Re: Big Problem
I was wondering if someone could help me with this problem I
have. Any comments will be appreciated.
I came home with my faithful white cane today. After pulling off
my coat, I stood my cane up behind the door as I always do and it
fell down. That's never happened before. I stood him back up
but it fell again. It really concerns me because I trust in him
so much. I think it's a him but I guess I've never really
checked. Anyway, I picked the cane up and led it to water to
drink but quickly learned you can't make a horse do the back
stroke if he doesn't want to. Anyhow, my cane refused to take
water. I tried holding the tip over the water but it still
refused to drink. I stroked and talked softly to it for several
minutes; holding it on my lap and trying to discover the problem.
Nothing seemed to help. I tried once again to stand it up in the
corner behind the door but it fell with a clatter to the floor.
Up ending the poor thing, I carefully felt the tip to see if
perhaps it had worn down. I was relieved to discover that was
not the problem. After trying several more times to get the cane
to stand up by himself/herself, I gave up and lay the cane down
gently along side my bed. I hope it'll be all right. Has anyone
ever had this problem? Should I return it to the school where I
got it? Is there a doctor in the house? Please help!
By: Doug Coyle
To: Phil Scovell
I believe what we have here is one of two conditions. If the
cane in question has a crook then it is probably some type of
psychotrauma which happened on that bender thing in the shop
where it was made. I mean, what if someone put you on one of
those things. You've got to put yourself in the poor cane's
place.
If it doesn't have a crook then it's definitely a case of crook
envy. You went by another blind person whose cane had a crook and
your cane sensed this and it hasn't been the same since. Since
it can't talk it's behavior of falling on the ground behind the
door is it's own feeble way of trying to communicate with you.
You better take care of this or your centered hand will be moving
to the right soon.
I had a cane whose name was Tipper Gore. I named her that
because of certain actions she would have to strangers on the
street. It just sort of came to mind. Also, she would fall down
like that especially when I would put certain records on the cd
player.
Shucks, had to get rid of ol' tipper. Last I heard someone in
Tennessee was using her.
===
By: Walter Siren
To: Phil Scovell
It probably will happen again, but you should be glad it did. I
stood my cane up by a door one time, and I forgot where I put it,
and I stood it up so well, I could not find it for a year. If it
had fallen down, I would have found it.
By: Phil Scovell
To: Doug Coyle
Doug,
Your insight to my cane problem was very helpful. It is in fact
a straight cane. My, I never considered the problem could be
it's because it's a straight cane. You really think a crook
change would help? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that myself
personally but I'd do anything to help the situation. I never
once thought of putting myself in its place. It probably feels I
don't care or something and, of course, that certainly isn't
true. Until I can afford the crook change, do you think I cut
wire up a chain or something to the top in order to make it feel
a part of the rest of the cane community? I feel just terrible
about this whole thing. Are there any foundations whereby I can
try and obtain a grant for the crook change? I'm sure they are
expensive. I certainly don't want to let my cane know I might be
considering the purchase of another cane to take its place.
By: Phil Scovell
To: Walter Siren
Walter,
Maybe, then, I'm being overly concerned? Perhaps there is
nothing wrong with my cane? Boy, that would be wonderful. I've
been very upset with it for days. I've even considered tieing a
rope on to it and forcing it to stand up in the corner but I was
afraid that might be cruel and someone might turn me in for it.
By: Karen Friedman
To: Phil Scovell
Phil,
That was sorrowful. I hope you've been able to solve this
malady for your cane. I stuck my cane in a drawer and have been
using a Lead/ Dog for some years now. Ranger has many quirks of
his own too! But at least I get licked after I stroke him!
By: Ron Denis
To: Phil Scovell
Phil,
Your trusty cane is experiencing what we call anaclitic
depression. It has
discovered that it is, in the end, mortal. White canes are
initially endowed with "original delusion" which makes them
believe they are immortal. This permits them to function
bravely in the most dangerous situation without flinching. It
is this belief which keeps them from consuming their masters
when trapped together on desert islands.
Occasionally, the cane's original training lapses, visions
of mortality infiltrate, and the cane, experiencing deep
depression, needs something to lean
on, the floor for example.
Treatment requires viewing the problem from a different
perspective. The cane believed itself to be of divine origin.
The trick is to once again fool the cane into believing it is
divine. We use the ing-rod treatment around here.
Take a second slender staff, temporarily attach it to the
cane above the midpoint at an angle. Hold the cane above a bowl
of water with the top of the cane in one hand and the top of the
stafflet in the other. Holding everything with your palms up
works best. The tip will descend toward the water, the cane
will again experience itself as divine, and full functioning
should return within
the hour.
Hope this helps.
By: Carol Ashland
To: Phil Scovell
Sounds like your cane is tipsy. Try a cold shower, I've heard
that works. Or if he's hollow, pour hot coffee in him. I think
time will heal the problem, however. You might also try getting
a hook to hang him on, as he may feel he needs more stability in
his life.
By: Lorne Bock
To: Phil Scovell
Hi Phil,
Liked your message re the problem with your cane.
You are not the first to have this problem. My problem was
solved when after much talking and coaxing my cane told me that
it's tip was tired of continually having to support the rest of
the cane.
The problem was then solved by telling the tip how important it
was and giving it a piece of carpet rather than just the hard
floor surface .
By: Doug Coyle
To: Phil Scovell
PS>My, I never considered the problem could be it's
PS>because it's a straight cane. You really think a crook change
PS>would help? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that myself
PS>personally but I'd do anything to help the situation. I never
PS>once thought of putting myself in its place. It probably
feels PS>I don't care or something and, of course, that certainly
isn't PS>true.
Well, I guess you're a lot like me, sort of conservative and not
too politically correct; but I've mended my ways and always try
to put myself in anyone's place and to be sensitive and
understanding. After all, your cane can't help it; it has no
crook. It's just a victim.
A crook change is a very serious option, and requires about a
year of pre=operation therapy. You Have to do things like buy
tapes of sounds which occur in metal shops to get the cane used
to what will happen to it, and then show it pictures of different
crooks. You'll have to spend a lot of time traveling with it too,
and take it to rehab agencies where other blind people hang out
so it can see if life with a crook is what it really wants.
Heck, maybe you'll get lucky and the cane will change it's mind
and learn to like itself and you can avoid the whole thing.
PS>I feel just terrible about this whole thing. Are there any
foundations PS>whereby I can try and obtain a grant for the crook
change? I'm PS>sure they are expensive. I certainly don't want
to let my cane PS>know I might be considering the purchase of
another cane to
PS>take its place.
Oh, no, don't do that because the cane will probably file an e.
e. o. complaint against you for crook discrimination. Let me
tell you, bubba, if the cane doesn't learn to accept itself the
way it is, you have no choice but to have the crook change done,
and I don't know what to do about the money, but I'm sure it's
cheaper than legal fees. Hey, just a minute. I got an idea!!!
This just may be the ticket. flex therapy? I don't know much
about it but you have to go to a flex therapist they get the cane
in the office and do certain bending exercises and other stuff
with it. You know how when sometimes you get to going too fast
down the street and go across one of those storm drains and you
make it across but your cane doesn't and gets the heck bent out
of it? Then you have to stand there for 5 minutes trying to get
it straightened out enough so you can get home to your trusty ol'
hammer? Well, flex therapy is something like that where they bend
the canes and straighten them again. This gives them more of an
appreciation for their flexuality.
You have to sort of look underground for flex therapists since
the techniques are not apa approved (that's the american
parapatological association. ===
* By: Kit Thomas
To: Phil Scovell
Carol Ashland wrote in a message to Phil Scovell:
PS> I was wondering if someone could help me with this problem I
have. PS> Any comments will be appreciated.
PS> I came home with my faithful white cane today. After
pulling off my PS> coat, I stood my cane up behind the door as I
always do and it fell PS> down. That's never happened before.
I stood him back up but it fell PS> again. It really concerns
me because I trust in him so much. I think
Methinks your problem is lack of attention. Just think, you
trust him to guide you around all life's obstacles, but do you
ever hug him. Do you praise him or do special things for him?
Perhaps he is reading this echo and is getting jealous of all the
attention bestowed on the dogs. I would suggest you try to get
to know your cane better and spend some time with him. Play with
him, let him sleep next to your bed for a while. Maybe even
fancy him up a bit with a ribbon or something.
What you need to do is revive that 'old "Cain-do" spirit!
By: Peter Scanlon
To: Phil Scovell
Hi Phil,
Maybe your cane needs some female companionship. If he is going
to meet some lady canes, make sure he has his rubber tip. Maybe
he is stressed out. Loosen his elastic. (Grin, chuckle!!)
By: Phil Scovell
To: Peter Scanlon
Peter,
Barbara Akin suggested the same thing so I'm making arrangements
to see if such will solve his problem. I don't know though, I'm
not up to a shot gun wedding.
End Of Discussion.
Unless, of course, you wish to add your 2 cents.