Cane User - Blog Posts

Reminds me of when I went to a Renaissance festival with a big wooden staff and I was so excited because I didn't have to worry about my balance so much. And then it still took me months to start using a cane even just at home

A reminder that if you didn’t need a mobility aid you wouldn’t be day dreaming and fantasizing about how they would help you navigate the world and that no matter how much internalized ableism you hold it won’t change your reality about your conditions and you SHOULD do what is best for you because no one will punish you more than yourself if you keep ignoring your needs

Yes! So, I am a disabled and chronically ill aroace cane user. I fully understand that not all disabled people are aspec and vice versa. But some are! What we really need is more variety in representation, but there's just not enough of it in the first place.

There can be issues with characters like this depending on their story and how their identity is handled. For example, I think the way Viktor from Arcane was confirmed as ace was... not the best, and potentially insulting to some aspecs and disabled people. It could have been done better. BUT that doesn't mean the idea itself is bad!

With Viktor specifically, I totally get why some people don't want him to be ace, and they're welcome to have other headcanons, I will never begrudge someone that. But the problem starts when I tell someone I like him being ace because I see myself even more in him (I was also starting to use a cane around the time I watched the show, and seeing him made me so much more comfortable using it), and they tell me that it's inherently offensive. Because it's not actually, otherwise so is my existence. You don't have to agree or see him as ace, but please do not invalidate my identity and experiences.

I saw a post that made me think.

Why do people say it's ableist for disabled characters to have aromantic or asexual identity in headcanons or canon? It's seriously weird how people are mad at stuff like that. Having an identity like that is not a bad thing.

I'm asexual, autistic and physically disabled. Is it ableist that I exist like that? I like headcanoning characters who are autistic coded as asexual because it makes me happy because they are like me in my head.

I have seen people online be mad at others for headcanoning a disabled character or autistic coded to have an aromantic or asexual identity. People even get mad at disabled people who share those identities for headcanoning like that. I don't know what is up with that.

Some people seem to be mad only because they think things like an aromantic or asexual identity implies that the character that is disabled will not want things like being intimate, but that is not true. It is up to the person who has that identity, they can choose to be intimate or not intimate. Things like that confuse me. Like how people talk about Viktor from arcane.

I like Viktor, I am happy he is asexual canonically. It means he can still have a relationship with Jayce hypothetically, though. His asexuality is valid no matter what way he is portrayed.

Viktor is my favorite character. Seeing Viktor in Arcane made me feel better about using a cane when my health got worse, I felt internalized ableism at that time. Seeing a depiction of someone who is like me in a way helped me. Learning he is asexual made me happier too because he is also like me in that way, too.

Asexuality is defined as experiencing no sexual feelings or desires; not feeling sexual attraction to anyone. And I think it should be fine for Viktor to be like that and it should be fine for everyone who feels that way.

Let people on the aro/ace spectrum be who they are, disabled people can be like that and still have intimate relationships. And let people headcanon whatever they want as long as they're not harming people.

And that is my thoughts on that. I hope I wrote that in an accurate way. I just feel confused about that topic. People are so hard to understand.

[Disclaimer, obviously not all people think the how I described about asexuality. Some people are fine with disabled characters having an aromantic or asexual identity. And when I say aromantic or asexual identity, I am referring to the whole spectrum of those identities.]

I forgot about this post. But I did it @wittlepuppydog. I didn't shave my head completely, I just got a short hairstyle instead. It was about 5 months ago now and I absolutely love it. It has made the pain considerably more bearable as hair is no longer brushing against my face constantly, and I no longer have to tie it up to get it out of the way (which also hurts).

Honestly, it's not even just about the pain. I feel more like me. I recognise myself in the mirror. I like my hair, I like my face - something I could never comfortably say before. It feels like my pain gave me a gift. I never thought I would say something like that about my chronic pain. But yeah, it has helped and I have never felt more like myself than I do now.

And people's reactions and their staring honestly haven't faced me. I don't care about it anymore. Also, it's hard to say whether they're staring bc of the hair or bc I'm young and disabled and walking with a cane.

Thought I'd add some pictures for reference;)

I've been considering shaving my head because of the pain. It's still constant and my hair makes it worse. Is it stupid? Will I regret it? Will I feel like I'm "giving in" to the pain? Does that even make sense? I'm tired of feeling like I have no control over the pain. And this feels like a way I can maybe at least not hurt myself more and gain a little control back? I don't know. I'm tired

I know this is for artists and writers, but it's also just really helpful if you're considering beginning to use a cane or researching which one to buy. It gives a really nice overview of the most common types of canes. I have used a cane for a little over 6 months now and I would have loved to see something like this, when I was trying to figure out which cane to buy and how to walk with it. I usually use the cane with my dominant hand and didn't even realise that I can obviously just switch hands so I have my dominant hand free for stuff😂 I ALSO HAD NO IDEA THAT YOU CAN BUY A TIP FOR ICE!?!?!! I'VE BEEN SLIPPING AND FALLING AROUND FOR MONTHS AND DIDN'T EVEN QUESTION IT😭😭

A general cane guide for writers and artists (from a cane user, writer, and artist!)

Disclaimer: Though I have been using a cane for 6 years, I am not a doctor, nor am I by any means an expert. This guide is true to my experience, but there are as many ways to use a cane as there are cane users!

This guide will not include: White canes for blindness, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs as I have no personal experience with these.

This is meant to be a general guide to get you started and avoid some common mishaps/misconceptions in your writing, but you absolutely should continue to do your own research outside of this guide!

This is NOT a medical resource!!! And never tell a real person you think they're using a cane wrong!

The biggest recurring problem I've seen is using the cane on the wrong side. The cane goes on the opposite side of the pain! If your character has even-sided pain or needs it for balance/weakness, then use the cane in the non-dominant hand to keep the dominant hand free. Some cane users also switch sides to give their arm a rest!

A cane takes about 20% of your weight off the opposite leg. It should fit within your natural gait and become something of an extension of your body. If you need more weight off than 20%, then crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair is needed.

Putting more pressure on the cane, using it on the wrong side, or having it at the wrong height can make it less effective, and can cause long term damage to your body from improper pressure and posture. (Hugh Laurie genuinely hurt his body from years of using a cane wrong on House!)

(some people elect to use a cane wrong for their personal situation despite this, everyone is different!)

(an animated GIF of a cane matching the natural walking gait. It turns red when pressure is placed on it.)

When going up and down stairs, there is an ideal standard: You want to use the handrail and the cane at the same time, or prioritize the handrail if it's only on one side. When going up stairs you lead with your good leg and follow with the cane and hurt leg together. When going down stairs you lead with the cane and the bad leg and follow with the good leg!

Realistically though, many people don't move out of the way for cane users to access the railing, many stairs don't have railings, and many are wet, rusty, or generally not ideal to grip.

In these cases, if you have a friend nearby, holding on to them is a good idea. Or, take it one step at a time carefully if you're alone.

Now we come to a very common mistake I see... Using fashion canes for medical use!

(These are 4 broad shapes, but there is INCREDIBLE variation in cane handles. Research heavily what will be best for your character's specific needs!)

The handle is the contact point for all the weight you're putting on your cane, and that pressure is being put onto your hand, wrist, and shoulder. So the shape is very important for long term use!

Knob handles (and very decorative handles) are not used for medical use for this reason. It adds extra stress to the body and can damage your hand to put constant pressure onto these painful shapes.

The weight of a cane is also incredibly important, as a heavier cane will cause wear on your body much faster. When you're using it all day, it gets heavy fast! If your character struggles with weakness, then they won't want a heavy cane if they can help it!

This is also part of why sword canes aren't usually very viable for medical use (along with them usually being knob handles) is that swords are extra weight!

However, a small knife or perhaps a retractable blade hidden within the base might be viable even for weak characters.

Bases have a lot of variability as well, and the modern standard is generally adjustable bases. Adjustable canes are very handy if your character regularly changes shoe height, for instance (gotta keep the height at your hip!)

Canes help on most terrain with their standard base and structure. But for some terrain, you might want a different base, or to forego the cane entirely! This article covers it pretty well.

Many cane users decorate their canes! Stickers are incredibly common, and painting canes is relatively common as well! You'll also see people replacing the standard wrist strap with a personalized one, or even adding a small charm to the ring the strap connects to. (nothing too large, or it gets annoying as the cane is swinging around everywhere)

(my canes, for reference)

If your character uses a cane full time, then they might also have multiple canes that look different aesthetically to match their outfits!

When it comes to practical things outside of the cane, you reasonably only have one hand available while it's being used. Many people will hook their cane onto their arm or let it dangle on the strap (if they have one) while using their cane arm, but it's often significantly less convenient than 2 hands. But, if you need 2 hands, then it's either setting the cane down or letting it hang!

For this reason, optimizing one handed use is ideal! Keeping bags/items on the side of your free hand helps keep your items accessible.

When sitting, the cane either leans against a wall or table, goes under the chair, or hooks onto the back of the chair. (It often falls when hanging off of a chair, in my experience)

When getting up, the user will either use their cane to help them balance/support as they stand, or get up and then grab their cane. This depends on what it's being used for (balance vs pain when walking, for instance!)

That's everything I can think of for now. Thank you for reading my long-but-absolutely-not-comprehensive list of things to keep in mind when writing or drawing a cane user!

Happy disability pride month! Go forth and make more characters use canes!!!

I recently started using a cane everyday and so my previously invisible disability is suddenly visible. I also started medschool. It's been a while since I was properly social so I have questions...

People don't walk next to me. And if they accidentally do, they leave to walk next to someone else even if that means squeezing in three people on the sidewalk. No one talks to me if it's not to ask me "what's wrong". I have really tried to make an effort and talk to people but I don't know what to do.

Can it have something to do with my disability and my cane? Like they're scared to say the wrong thing? Or maybe it's because they've sensed the autism?;)

Question for other cane/mobility aid users: Do you use your cane/mobility aid around your home? I’ve been meaning to actually use my cane while walking around my house but I feel. Bad? About it and want to know if other people do it :D

Hey! If you want to learn about my journey with having a bleeding disorder you can follow my new blog!/nf

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Cubes Shitty Blood

I have VWD and I want to talk about it

First day using my cane went bad tbh-

I didn’t have it at the correct height so it hurt my shoulder for a while and now it’s sore and some people stared at me but it stopped me from falling so many times which is great I feel really supported by it which is great! My friends say that it matches my aesthetic which idek how it does but thank god it does

Not my dad having called me a slur used for physically disabled people anytime I was injured or in pain during my childhood, long before I was diagnosed with my disability. I didn’t know it was a slur at the time.

Not me assuming that after I actually was diagnosed with a physical disability that he would stop calling me that out off respect or at least ask me if I mind. No one really cares about a child understanding words that are meant to be used as an insult because if they don’t teach them they’re an insult they think they can get away with it. That’s not good.

But I was having a bad pain day and my dad once again called me the G word, which not everyone knows.

He didn’t say it in front of anyone other than me and my mom, and he didn’t say it in an insulting way, however he has a tendency to say rude and cruel things with no intention of them being either (or with the intent but not caring)

I don’t actually have issues with the word itself on reference to me. Gimp(y) and Cripple aren’t words that I am afraid to use to describe me but I don’t need my father to assume I’m okay with using it as an adjective.

I wonder how he’d react to me referring to him as it? Another chronic pain haver who happens to use a cane on occasion.

Hmm