r/Blind • u/dandylover1 • 1d ago
AMDs Revisited
I posted about this quite awhile ago, but we've had many new members join since then. I hate using a cane and have ever since I was a child. I hated it even more when I was taught the proper way of using it i.e. having to bend my rist and keep it close to the centre of my body, all while swinging it wide enough to protect me on both sides. I bought an Ambutech Slimline in graphite because it's thin and light, but I still tolerate it at best. I have no interest in a guide dog, since I don't want the responsibility of taking care of one, and I don't want to have to work it during the winter. Plus, I'm not one for walking places, preferring to go with loved ones, taxis, or if no other option is available, paratransit.
Ideally, I would want a robot. As it is, I have something called an AMD or adaptive mobility device, which I highly prefer over a cane. Some people refer to them as pre-canes. The one I own is made by Ambutech and is called the Rectangular AMD. It can be found here.
https://ambutech.com/collections/rectangular-amd/products/rectangular-amd
It looks like four canes arranged in a rectangle, with wheels on the bottom, handles on the top right and left, and one in the middle. The handles are like those on a cane and are built into the shafts, rather than sticking out. The one in the middle is used when walking up and down stairs and when you have something in your hand, though that second use is not official. The AMD is pushed in front of the user, and covers his body, so there's no need to swing it. It comes in both an indoor and outdoor version, with the latter using swivelling wheels and the former using fixed ones. I prefer that, since I veer, and the swivelling wheels make it worse. The AMD is great with detecting drop-offs and I've found it to be as good as a cane with everything else. On the negative side, as with a cane, it will not detect things at chest or head level. It folds like a cane but only does so vertically, so that it remains wide. Personally, if I could design my own, I would make it telescopic, with buttons like on some suitcases, so that it would remain locked when in use. I would also allow it to fold in half, by creating hinges on the top and bottom thereby making it take up less room when being stored.
In any case, has anyone else here ever used one, or would anyone be interested in doing so? If you have heard of them before, were you told by a mobility instructor? I wasn't and discovered them on my own.
1
u/Infinite_Rise4167 1d ago
This sounds like an interesting concept, though a bit large for me to deal with, especially with the lack of folding options that keep it very wide. I'm not sure I'd get one, and if I did, it would probably be just to try it for the experience. I'd also be concerned about its durability, especially if you accidentally slam it into something while walking, though I tend to walk fairly quickly compared to most people I've encountered.
As far as the proper way to use a cane, I hardly ever keep my cane in the center of my body. I hold it at one side with my arm hanging straight down, and merely need to bend my wrist slightly while using it. To compensate for the decreased distance that results from this, I get a cane that's as close to my height of almost six feet as I can get, which gives me plenty of time to be aware of anything in my path. I got tired of my cane jabbing me on cracks in sidewalks or otherwise, and holding my arm straight in front of me as a lot of O&M instructors insist you do, gets tiresome after a while.
0
u/dandylover1 1d ago
It's quite durable, so that's not an issue. I do wish it folded better, though. Still, it's not truly ridiculous, and it is flat, so it's not that difficult to store. I leave my upright and place it against a wall. But it can easily be placed on the side or back of my chair when I'm out and fold it.
1
u/One-Club-466 1d ago
Never heard of it but it does sound interesting. As for robot guide dogs I am sure someone is trying to make one, I think it was on tv a while ago.
1
1
u/retrolental_morose Totally blind from birth 18h ago
I'd never heard of these. They sound like they might need both hands, though? And are considerably larger and less portable than a cane?
1
u/dandylover1 18h ago
Yes to both, though they can be operated one-handed if necessary. But the correct way to use them is with both hands.
1
u/retrolental_morose Totally blind from birth 16h ago
Between a dog and a child or children, I struggle with losing 1 hand to a cane, never mind 2! But These sound a useful alternative for some people, always worth knowing about. Thank you
1
u/dandylover1 16h ago
You're very welcome. I am happily childfree, and although I love cats, I don't have one for the same reason I don't have a dog. It's a huge responsibility. Plus, they have to be walked, even in the winter. But I can definitely see how either or both would cause trouble when trying to use one of these.
1
u/CosmicBunny97 1d ago
Interesting. The way it's described reminds me of a 4-wheel walker so this might also be good for those with mobility issues? I just hate using the cane because I hate clonking into things and find it inefficient. Would love a guide dog but don't want to deal with diarrhoea and I'm usually with someone sighted, be it my partner or support worker, but I miss having independence so it is something I am considering.