April 21, 2026

Different Canes For Different Terrains

Living life differently, with Diverse Abilities.

Author

Diverse Abilities Programs Inc.

Share

The right mobility cane empowers independence & confidence!

A couple of years ago, my husband and I travelled to Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. Our goal was to see the tide pools during low tide at Botanical Beach. I was told the trail/path down was inaccessible to me due to tree roots, rocks, low-hanging branches, steps, and many small plank walkways. Me being me, I was not going to let anything stop me from trying.


For everyday travel and navigation, I use a long white rigid cane with a metal tip. On this day, I found that this trusted mobility device, which gives me confidence, was not cooperating on that type of terrain. Because of its flexibility, it regularly caught roots, rocks, and sticks. They flicked and wobbled my cane in the air, rendering it not safe or effective. The journey to see the tide pools ended before we made it, as the layers of frustration got the better of me. I said I would never do that trail again.


Since then, I have been bothered and disappointed that I never finished the trail and saw the tide pools. Some of them are 20-30 feet deep with all kinds of sea life living in them! The sight I have is so minimal now that I would not see much of the sea life but the experience of being there, feeling the wind in my hair, hearing the waves crashing on the rocks, feeling the spray of the ocean on my face, and smelling the salty air are a few of the reasons I just knew I had to try one more time.


We went back to Port Renfrew for our anniversary earlier this month. This time, I brought a few different types of canes and tips. I knew my trusty straight cane wasn’t up for this task, so I thought I would explore and find out if a different mobility cane made a difference. I started with a heavy folding cane that allows for some weight bearing -- perfect for some of the bigger steps up or down, or for stepping over the occasional fallen log on the trail. This cane is shoulder height to me in length and has a rolling ball for a tip, but I changed it to a pencil tip to help with stabilizing and support.


After a very short time, I put that cane away -- helpful for balance, but it was too heavy for my wrist. I then tried a telescopic cane. It was an immediate “no” for me. I then took out my folding Ambutech cane with the marshmallow tip. This cane measures to my chest height. I noticed right away that the shorter cane was much easier to navigate the trail. I was getting information about my surroundings much more quickly, boosting my confidence and sense of safety. I successfully navigated the trail and arrived at the tide pools during low tide. Unfortunately, the tide was not low enough to see the tide pools, but I did get the satisfaction of arriving safely and not stressed. It felt so empowering!


So, this time I did not get to see the tide pools, but I did get to have the experience of being there and feeling the wind in my hair, hearing the waves crashing on the rocks, feeling the spray of the ocean on my face, and smelling the salty air. Gratitude for another perfect moment in this journey called life.


What a difference the type of mobility cane I used made! It improved my experience, confidence, and abilities. I went from feeling frustrated and giving up with my trusted everyday cane to regaining my confidence and conquering a challenge. I am definitely going back another time when it is optimal for tide pool exploration.


“Losing my sight has not changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world.” Gina Martin


April 21, 2026
Chairs are more than just somewhere to sit.
April 21, 2026
What I wish I had known when I was first diagnosed.
April 21, 2026
All we want is to be seen as a person, not just our disability. 
April 21, 2026
Something really beautiful happened recently, and I’ve been sitting with it .
April 21, 2026
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: For People Living With Hidden Disabilities
April 21, 2026
Feel Confident Navigating & Travelling Around The City
April 21, 2026
Discovering How ADHD Shaped My Experiences
April 21, 2026
What if creating an inclusive workplace was easier than you thought?
April 21, 2026
In life, three barriers often prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in various activities: Social stigmas, attitudes, and misconceptions about our abilities. The built environment and the lack of accessibility.  Ourselves, which includes fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and lack of confidence. While we may not always be able to change the first two, the third barrier—our mindset—is one that only we can break through. In 1992, I was diagnosed as legally blind due to Progressive Cone Dystrophy. But it wasn’t until 2015 that I fully embraced my blindness. Rather than saying, "I’m losing my sight," I reframed it as, "I’m gaining my blindness." This shift in mindset allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and explore non-visual techniques to complete tasks I once relied on sight for. Patience, time, and yes, frustration, were all part of the process. But now, I’m living my best life—doing even more than I did with vision. When friends asked me to go axe 🪓 and dagger 🗡️ throwing, I immediately said yes. I love new experiences, and I wasn’t going to let my blindness be a barrier. We spent an hour learning how to hold, aim, and throw. I chose to wear a blindfold because the small amount of vision I have left can be more distracting than helpful. My focus wasn’t on whether I got a bullseye but on having fun, being included, and trying something new. After all, we never know if we’ll like something until we try. For this experience, the target was about 15 feet away, with chain fences on either side. I could stretch my arms out and feel both fences, giving me a sense of space. There was also a tactile line under my feet, ensuring I knew where to stand. To throw the axe, I gripped the bottom of the handle with my dominant hand (right) and placed my left hand over my right. I raised the axe over my head, letting it rest between my shoulder blades, squared my body to the target, relaxed my shoulders, and threw. I hit the target most times and even landed two bullseyes! It was exhilarating. My husband and friends joined in by donning blindfolds and throwing axes, too. Even the staff took part in the experience, and we all had a blast. The dagger 🗡️ proved more challenging. To throw it, I had to position the tip of the blade pointing toward me, over my shoulder, next to my ear—a nerve-wracking task without sight. I threw it four times and managed to hit the board once (the handle stuck, not the blade, but close enough for me to laugh about it). While I enjoyed trying it, I much preferred the axe and will definitely be doing that again. This experience reinforced the idea that people with disabilities may not always meet others where they are—but that doesn’t stop others from meeting us where we are. It’s not about the perfect experience; it’s about trying and enjoying the process. So, step out of your comfort zone. You may discover something new and, most importantly, have fun.
April 21, 2026
Are they really accessible for everyone to use? Here's a simple tip to make your business more accessible: