Does anyone have experience with canes?

(NOT a child/partner abuse post 🙄)

The folding system of my current cane (for walking assistance 🙄) is starting to show signs of wear and tear, making the whole thing a little less stable than it used to be when extended for use. It still helps, but I've been thinking about buying a new/spare one for my most physically active trip in probably a decade next summer.

As my visit to the Efteling won't only involve a lot of walking but also standing still in queues and to admire scenes, I've been considering a cane with built-in seat. For my first one I didn't go with that because I thought it would increase the weight and make it less useful for walking, but maybe for this trip that's a good trade-off? Does anyone here have experience with how much a built-in seat affects its use for walking support or it's foldability and ability to put it in my backpack when not needed?

I may also look into a full on walker:

That's obviously an even better alternative to standing, but it also a bigger burden when not needed, in the train, and while dragging luggage for a week. If I go that route, I'll have to email the Efteling if they can deal with that. (My old cane will be sufficient for the concert.) Chaining it to a fence near the attractions won't help me in the queue and I won't be able to take it with me on the rides, so I'll have to ask if I can leave it at the station in all attractions. 🤔

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OogieBoogie · F

I dont know how much support you need, but ive seen things like this you can buy🤷‍♀

Edit: theres also the 'Body Braid":

Infinite ways to wrap it depending upon your particular support needs.
- Mind you, it takes trial and error to find the right fit.
Some peope just use it down to their thighs, some go all the way down to under their feet, for it to act as a whole body compression type thing.

And it takes time to get used to - going from a light stretch to a tighter stretch, and increasing wear time.

Youtube has HEAPS of videos on how people choose to wear it.

NerdyPotato ·

@OogieBoogie that looks pretty compact! That may indeed be enough. 🥺 In the meantime I found there's a rehabilitation shop nearby, so I should be able to try different options there at least for half a minute to get a basic feel.

NerdyPotato ·

@OogieBoogie I didn't see your edit before my previous reply. That body braid looks very interesting too. I'll look into that some more tomorrow. Thanks!

OogieBoogie · F

@NerdyPotato it IS interesting.

I looked into it due to the fact i can be on my feet for like 13 hours a day sometimes.

There's no ONE WAY to wrap it.
I watched qyitet a few videos, and every person has their own way, advice and tips.

Its supposed to reduce fatigue on your muscles having to hold yourself up - acts kinda like a "second fascia" type thing.

I hope you find something that works. Itd suck to have to cut such a great day short .

BabyLonia · F

I have seen people using those walkers with a seat and it seems practical because you will always have a seat on public transport or even when you need to atop/queue.

Also can you get special assistance passes when at the park so you don't have to manage the queue? I know they allow that for parks in the uk -it is def. worth asking the question

NerdyPotato ·

@BabyLonia there is an option to skip the queues for people with disabilities, but not to fast forward them. And skipping would mean missing out on all the theming and build-up there. 😕

DragonFruit · 70-79, M

When I had an injury, I used a shillelagh that my grandfather had made....it was carved from a tree branch, no moving parts.

HootyTheNightOwl

I'd consider having a chat with Efteling about this... maybe they might allow you to take the walker with you through the queue and then take it to the exit for you via the ride evacuation route???

I think that the walker would be the better option for you in the perfect world because you have the basket underneath and a seat that you can sit on (or use as a cart for your heaviest pieces of luggage if you don't technically "need it" during transit.

Personally, I'm currently using a four wheeled shopping trolley - which helps me to put some weight through it and holds most of my shopping, too. The down side is no seat, no brakes and it is ready for 2 new sets of front steering wheels after 9 months of weekly heavy use (and a bus driver dropping the front of the bus on one set of steering wheels). Silly Freddie... 🤣🤣🤣

They seem cheap enough to replace on Amazon - but STBX seems to be debating getting me a whole new trolley rather than messing with just the components I need.

NerdyPotato ·

@HootyTheNightOwl yeah, I wouldn't take a walker without asking Efteling how they'd deal with it. And I wouldn't need much luggage in the park, but clothes for a week would mean a big rolling suitcase I don't think would fit on the walker and the walker in one hand with a suitcase in the other may be a challenge...

A shopping trolly sounds good too for some purposes, though probably not this trip. 😅

HootyTheNightOwl

@NerdyPotato Lol, I packed for a week long vacation - in a backpack... in September.

Admittedly, I treated myself to a couple of bits of clothes while I'm here because I didn't have a coat or sweater with me - so I got a body warmer and a Fall coat (too warm for my winter coat yet but still cool enough for no coat at night to be felt.

NerdyPotato ·

@HootyTheNightOwl I usually pack a big backpack and a suitcase. Just 2 sets of clothes fill more than half the suitcase. Add a toiletry bag and a set of full body braces and that's full to the brim. Meds, snacks, souvenirs and everything else has to go into a second big bag. 😅

TheHammer · M

I'm still recovering from a bad work injury. Tried the crutches, almost killed myself with those. Couldn't get the hang of the canes. Tried one of those walkers but it's too much work carrying that thing around. Now I wobble around inside a monster leg brace thing.

NerdyPotato ·

@TheHammer I'm sorry about your injury. Yeah, I've got experience with crutches too. It took me 10 minutes to overload my shoulders trying to prevent overloading my foot. 😅 A cane works great for walking but doesn't help much with standing. I'm not sure what to expect from a walker. It might be better than a cane, but could also take a whole lot more effort while walking, aside from the burden when I don't need it. Maybe I'll look into options to try/rent one to see if it even helps at all.

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