FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How can you treat "freezing-up" problem ?
There are at least two types of "freezing" symptoms. One group occurs in the "off" period, that is, it accompanies slowness of movements, tremor, and whatever other Parkinsonian symptoms the person has when the medication is not having effect. This type of freezing is usually treated along with the other Parkinsonian symptoms, i.e. by adjusting anti-Parkinsonian medications to improve mobility and reduce stiffness. A second type of freezing occurs in the "on" period, i.e. while anti-Parkinsonian medications are having effect and the other Parkinsonian symptoms are improved. There is no reliable treatment for this type of freezing, although there is ongoing active research in this area. Some people find certain "tricks" helpful, e.g. stepping over an obstacle (e.g. a flexible flap attached to the bottom of a cane) or imagining

Are there specific treatments for the "freezing" when walking?
Unfortunately "freezing" is actually a description of a SYMPTOM of Parkinson's disease. The natural flow of movement can be hampered due to this symptom of Parkinson's. It refers to sudden temporary difficulty initiating or continuing a movement. The patient can actually feel as if they are "frozen" in one spot. Freezing of gait, the most common form of freezing, consists of sudden halting of leg movement during walking, which lasts a few seconds and then suddenly disappears. Freezing can sometimes be interrupted by certain "tricks." One of these tricks is to place a visual target or obstacle in front of the foot that is "stuck" to the floor. For example, the examining physician can place his/her foot just in front of the "frozen" foot, and suddenly the patient can step over the foot and start walking again. The laser version of this trick consists of shining the beam of a laser pointer on the floor just in front of the foot that is frozen. The patient then tries to step onto or over the light spot. Having this visual target on the floor can reduce freezing.

How does this compare to other walking aid devices?
Currently there are two other devices on the market. One being a simple piece of plastic that is attached to the bottom of the cane and remains fixed protruding from the cane. The problem with this design is the device is constantly protruding causing the device to hit theback of your foot or leg as you walk. With the NextStep® device, you can install an attached pin to eliminate the wand from coming down while walking and upon removing the pin the wand will protrude out with pressure and then retract upon picking the cane up to continue walking.The other device is a laser cane. Mr. Tucker has tried the laser cane and has indicated to us that the laser beam projected on the floor is not as effective as the NextStep® device. Mr. Tucker's comment was "it is very difficult to fool the brain that the projected light on the floor is three dimensional when it is not". With the laser cane you can only purchase the manufacturers cane. With the NextStep® device you can attach it to most canes not exceeding 7/8" inch.

Can you use the NextStep® walking aid device on different canes?
Yes. You can attach the NextStep® walking aid device to any of your favorite cane. The device can accommodate most canes not exceeding 7/8" inch. Just think you can utilize different canes for different purposes and not be limited to one cane.

Can you keep the NextStep® device on the cane and have it not function if you are not freezing?
Yes. The NextStep® device is designed with an attached pin to install through the unit to allow the device to be "off" or "on". This allows you to keep the device on your cane and use it only when you need it. We realize the variances of medication effectiveness and the timing thereof. This will allow you to go anywhere and not have to worry of medications wearing off. You will now will be able to become more active and change your lifestyle. It will allow you to now perform the small things such as getting up in the middle of the night or waking up early to take your medication and then trying to go back to sleep so that you can walk at your normal waking hour. This device will give you freedom of lifestyle.

What is your Security and Privacy policy?
We respect your privacy. The information that is collected about you is used to process orders and is not used for anything else. We commit to never sell, rent, or give away your name, e-mail, or address to anyone. Ordering from our website is safe and secure. We use a secure server, using SSL (secure socket layer) technology. We use the highest bit encryption with SSL at 128 bits. Your credit cards are encrypted when they are transmitted to us and are store in a secure environment. Your credit card also provides you with important consumer protections that safeguard your purchases.

What forms of Payment are available?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We will also accept Money Orders and Personal Checks. Please enter a contact phone number with your order if you choose this type payment. When paying for by Money Order or Personal Check, please allow more time for delivery processing.

What are your shipping rates?
Please view shipping rates on the Order page.

Can you ship to international locations?
Yes. However, we need you to contact us via email to specify your location and we will inform you of specific shipping costs.

What is your Return Policy?
We hope you are satisfied with our products, however if you are not satisfied for any reason, you can return the product within 30 days of purchase as long as it is in new condition and has not been modified. The time period to make a retrn is within 30 days.

What happens if a part breaks?
You can go to the "Order" page and place an order for the Replacement Parts Package. The package comes with every mechanical component that should allow you to repair the device. Please read the literature in our user manual which comes with your order and is available for download.

Can the light kit be used on different canes and is it adjustable for different angles of projection?
Yes. The light kit is designed to attach to most any cane and for any location that suits your visibility needs. The light actually clips onto the attachment bracket and is capable of attachment of the light for various projection angles.

What type of light is included in the kit?
The light is a long life L.E.D. The light operates off of two (2) coin type lithium batteries which are included. The batteries have a life of 50 hours of continuous use and they are easily replaceable. The light can also be used for other purposes such as attaching to the bill of a hat, reading, grilling, camping, hunting, or even walking the dog. The light kit comes with a nice neoprene case.

Can we chat with Mr. Tucker?
Yes. Mike enjoys people and discussing everyday dealings with Parkinson Disease. You can email mike@icanstep.com to tell him about your experiences and ask questions regarding the NextStep® device.

Can we order the NextStep® device with custom color features and patterns?
Yes. We encourage you to customize your device to fit your personality and purpose. Please contact us at support@icanstep.com with your specifications. We will review your request and give you feedback of our capabilities, shipping time and cost.