Fixing a cane

Learn how to fix a broken mobility cane with simple household items. This step-by-step guide helps visually impaired individuals maintain their independence and mobility.

How to fix a cane

Sometimes a mobility cane snaps so what can you do? Using your ‘technologically advanced cane fixing kit’ (a paper clip and string) you can fix it!

Step 1

First, get the tip off!

You might need a vice
But try warm water or pliers first!

Figure 1 - Freedom with her WCIB cane that needs fixing

Cane tip wedged in a vice and using plyers to remove the tip.

Figure 2 - Using a vice and pliers to get the tip off

Step 2

Then, pull the string end and the elastic out of the ‘tip’ end of the cane.

Figure 3 - Freedom is pulling the elastic out of the tip end of the cane

Step 3

Then, undo the strong at the end of the elastic.

Figure 4 - Freedom is undoing the string that holds the elastic tight inside the cane

Step 4

If need be jam something into the elastic loop to stop it ‘pinging’ into the cane parts.

Jesse is using an old piece of cane to loop through the elastic in the cane being fixed.

Figure 5 - Using an old piece of cane to loop through the elastic in the cane being fixed

Step 5

Then, knot your string to the elastic and tie the opposite end to the paperclip or weight.

Figure 6 - Jesse is tying the string part of her 'cane fixing kit' to the end of the elastic

Step 6

Pull the cane to pieces until you have the handle, string, and a few bits!

Jesse is holding the cane fixing string attached to the elastic.

Figure 7 - Jesse lets go of the elastic

Step 7

Remove the broken bit and find a new piece to replace it. You might need to use pliers, or something sharp, to remove bits inside the cane parts.

Freedom is holding up the broken piece of cane.

Figure 8 - Freedom is chucking away the broken piece of cane

Step 8

Rethread your cane by threading the paper clip end of the string attached to the elastic through each part. Be careful to place the pieces the correct way to ‘fit together’.

Jesse has replaced the broken part of the cane with a new bit and is re threading her cane using the string knotted onto the elastic and the paper clip to weight the string through the pieces of cane.

Figure 9 - Jesse has replaced the broken part of cane

Or if you shortcut like Freedom, put all the pieces together and thread!

Freedom holding her cane and threading string through with her right hand.

Figure 10 - Freedom threading her cane together

The last bit has two ‘short’ ends.

Jesse his sitting at a table holding her cane and has the string attached to the elastic poking out of the very end.

Figure 11 - Jesse is ready to reattach the original string that was attached to the cane

Step 9

Pull the elastic through the last bit of the cane using the string.

Jesse holding her cane pulling the cane fixing string out of the tip end.

Figure 12 - Jesse pulling the cane fixing string out of the tip end

Step 10

Rethread the little metal and string through the elastic, and cut your string.

And you are done!

Jesse has the elastic through the cane ready to cut the string off.

Figure 13 - Jesse is ready to cut the string off

All done!

See your O&M if you need a new cane or check with your local Resource Teacher: Vision for more information.

Freedom is standing proudly with her completely fixed WCIB cane.

Our curriculum