Hi All,
I just wanted to follow up about the rolling duffel in case others have
wondered about how practical it is to drag a suitcase around while also
working with a white cane. I asked here because I sometimes work in
different locations, and I wanted to do something other than hang three
bulky and heavy bags over my arm and shoulder each time I reported to
another site. The short answer is that it's working fairly well.
My only experience along these lines had been wrestling with a wobbly
suitcase in a bus terminal or airport--definitely nothing I wanted to
replicate on my way to or from work. But from this list, I found out
other blind people managed rolling bags without much drama, and I also
got useful advice.
The most helpful advice I got was to distribute the content of the
suitcase so as to help it balance. On Amazon, I found a medium sized bag
with a low price tag and good reviews. It turned out to be more suitcase
than office, but I liked the size and general construction (half circle
with the rail underneath), so I packed my work stuff in it, careful to
lay heavy items along the rail for the pull handle and let the other
stuff find its own place. As long as I'm mindful of this, the bag
doesn't wobble.
I've also learned that things work best when I do minimal steering. If I
curl my fingers loosely around the handle and just walk, the bag follows
along very obediently. I need to remember to avoid sharp turns and to
angle the bag as if to roll, but that quickly becomes second nature.
Even letting go of the bag to open doors, etc., is doable: sometimes I
rest the handle between my arm and ribs; sometimes I hold the bag
against the wall with my knee. Things only get tricky when I try to step
away from the bag for a moment, like when I leaned it against the wall
while I tried to rummage around in my locker with both hands. The bag
fell over after three seconds, so I had to bring it closer and hold it
with my knee.
Anyway, I only use it half a dozen times a month, but I like it.
Thanks again, all.
Ciao
On 2/28/2022 9:46 PM, Ana G wrote:
> Hi All,
>
>
> I don't think of this as off topic exactly, but others may disagree.
>
>
> I work in one building about 75% of the time. The equipment I use
> regularly includes my work laptop, my braille note taker, and a bunch
> of small bits and pieces, like headsets, microphones, various cables,
> a speaker, etc. I keep all of the small bits and pieces in a medium
> sized duffel bag. When I have to report to a different location, I
> take this duffel bag; I also take a shopping bag with the laptop and
> its own accessories; and I take a drawstring backpack for my lunch and
> more personal odds and ends. This is a lot to carry, and it's heavy
> and bulky.
>
>
> I've been thinking about getting a large-ish duffel bag with wheels. I
> could probably fit all my stuff in it, and I wouldn't have to carry
> anything.
>
>
> My concern is that it would be hard to maneuver in general and that
> towing it would tie up my free hand (i.e., the hand that isn't holding
> the white cane), thus creating little complications, like opening and
> closing doors.
>
>
> Has anyone here experimented with carrying stuff in a rolling bag? If
> yes, how did it work?
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Ciao
>
>
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