Maker Charlotte Heim started noticing the stigma surrounding cane use long ago when her young father became quite ill. When he traveled with a cane in his hand, people instantly saw him as a frail and elderly stereotype. That experience stayed with her and eventually led her to research the public perception of cane and walker use for her master’s thesis at Tufts University. Today she’s an experienced occupational therapist working with individuals of all ages to help them lead a self-determined life.