to have both of your hands on the walker when in motion. that makes it very difficult to carry anything. it also makes it difficult to close a door behind you when you leave the house, and to do a multiple number of things we all do every day without thinking about them. when on a walker, you do have to think about them and how to do them. on the cane, you have one hand free, so it is somewhat easier, but you frequently still have to think about how to do all those things you did, without thinking, in the past. i cannot express how truly wonderful it 