Things no one warned me about using a cane for the first time:
1) You are most certainly going to end up tripping yourself with it.
Yes, it will be embarrassing. But also a little funny. Just pretend it didn’t happen, eventually it’s gonna happen less often.
2) if you carry a purse, carry it on the OPPOSITE side you use the cane on.
If you don’t your bag will end up thunking against the cane. It’s weird.
3) Speaking of carrying things; it might seem obvious but your carrying capacity is now reduced to one hand (and your mouth).
This is why I carry a purse.
4) You should keep hand sanitizer with you.
Bathrooms don’t usually have hand sanitizer in the stall, and to get OUt of the bathroom to wash your hands, you need to touch the cane (with possibly dirty hands!). Hand sanitizer your hands in the bathroom stall, then go and actually wash them in the sink so no one judges you.
5) Okay I was “prepared” for this one, but people WILL stare.
And touch. And ask really, really invasive questions. Such as “what’s wrong with you?” or “how’d you hurt yourself”. Some people might try to “help” by moving you/your cane.
Feel free to smack them. With the cane.
6) When you see other disabled folk in public you WILL have a moment™️
Bonus points if you’re the same age. Or have the same cane. It’s a spiritual connection.
And lastly, and the most annoying
7) CANES JUST WANNA FALL OVER!
no matter what you do, no matter how securely you think you’ve rested your cane, it WILL fall to the ground. Loudly. During the worst moments. Canes sense fear and they have zero mercy.
