Finding ability in disability.


Yelm resident making canes more exciting
By Seth Truscott
Nisqually Valley News

Yelm resident Darlene Borland is turning her disability from multiple sclerosis into a business ability.
Borland, who uses a cane for mobility because of MS, has started her business, Kicking Cane Covers. She markets fabric accessories on the internet with help of husband Dave and partner Kathy Gilbaugh.
"I want to use my disability as an ability to help myself and others," said Borland. Who received a blue ribbon for her business entry at Yelm Prairie Days last summer.
The business idea started momentum after Borland started getting comments on the fabric covers she put on her own cane.
"The first cane cover I ever sold was outside JC Penny," Borland said. "When I had an aluminum cane, I never got any compliments. Once I put on my cover, everybody was asking where I got them."
Even people who don't need a cane have said she's got a good idea on her hands.
"I do not like typical, ugly canes," said Borland.
"Instead of looking at my cane as a negative, I look at it as an accessory," she said. "When you want to change your outfit, you just change your cane cover."
"It makes you feel good about yourself," Borland said. "It's for anybody's type of taste."
Covers come in denim, black velvet, camouflage, leopard prints, or tie die.
"It's very colorful," Borland said. "You don't lose your cane."
There are several Christmas varieties, and some designed for members of the Red Hat Society, a woman's group.
"I look at my MS as positive," Borland said. "I went from a wheelchair to completely normal, then slowly declined," dealing with numbness, cognitive and vision problems. "I mix my words up."
"I have to use my cane."
Borland remembers falling for the first time while shopping at the SeaTac mall with her family.
"I did not look like I was homeless," she said. "Can you believe, not one person attempted to help m. My daughter was in tears."
Now, her daughter is more open towards people with disability.
"They're so used to being ignored," Borland said. "You see things in a totally different light."
"I've been so fortunate," she said. "I have my days. Overall, I'm positive."
Her cane has become her marketing tool. I get lots of comments," Borland said. "The number one thing they say is "I never thought of that."
Young children, who are too young to discriminate about disability, are curious.
"They're not looking at me with the cane," she said. "They're pointing at the cane cover.