My name is Celeste Zink. I am the designer of Stately Walking
Sticks.
When I started having trouble with my balance 15 years ago (I have spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 or more commonly known as Machado Joseph Disease) it was easy for me to grab a hiking stick, as longtime hikers, we had them at various locations throughout our house. However, a rustic hiking stick was not what I wanted as I frequented the ballet, museums, and or the local coffee shops. Thus, I began my search for an upscale walking stick. All that I was able to find were canes however, and that was definitely not what I was looking for. I figured well, if I can’t buy it then I will have to make it and thus begun Stately Walking Sticks.
I always wanted to turn it into a business, but not everyone shared the same vision as I had for Stately Walking Sticks. I had a passion for creating sticks and wanted to make them available to others that may have the same needs for an elegant walking stick. Then life threw me another curveball: I fell down a flight of stairs and crushed my heel, that definitely changed my focus and direction in life. I am in a different place now and am permanently in a wheelchair so an elegant walking stick is no longer needed to assist me in my daily routines.
Recently a family member showed up to an event using a cane and I thought to myself that they needed a Stately Walking Stick but alas I had given all of my original prototypes away. Necessity is the mother of all invention so I set about my dream to design and build sticks again to produce a product that fills a gap in the supply chain.
This time around, I have been blessed to have others share the same passion as I do to help others, so my husband now does all of the manufacturing as I am unable to but it means that Stately Walking Sticks are now ready to assist you with your journey in life. I hope our walking sticks provide you with the same joy, pleasure, mobility, and stability they gave me.
Best Wishes for great success Celeste!!
Thank you very much sir!!
Celeste, I’m sorry you fell. That was definitely a life altering event. You never cease to amaze me. I am happy that you’re able to pursue SWS. I have the walking stick I made for my mother years ago. After she passed, it found its way back to me (along with a nice cane that belonged to her father). I like it and it is functional (for balance) and good looking (a natural shoulder of a maple for the top on a well worm eaten staff finished with clear acrylic (that allows you to see that a couple of the worm paths go entirely through the diameter of the stick), but, sadly, what worked for me sub 100# mother is not sturdy enough for me to use as an aid in getting up or when I want to take a significant amount of weight off of whichever limb/joint is causing me the most grief at the time. I will be talking with you at some point to see about possibly having a custom SWS made.
The stick you made for your mom sounds beautiful, however it sounds like the many hiking sticks we had laying around and that is definitely not what a SWS was designed to be. I wanted a staff height, elegant, and refined stick suitable for coffee shops, museums, live theater, or the ballet, and that is what I designed. I will be happy to design you whatever you would like and there is a discount for friends and family if that helps. Thank you for sharing your story.
I have owned my Stately walking stick for years. It’s my go to when I have a flare in my leg. The stick is comfortable and easy to use and store. I always get nice compliments on the stick.
Thank you for making a great product.
We are glad to hear you find your SWS gives you great utility, providing support and stability when you need it most. And we love hearing that you get compliments on your Stately Walking Stick! That is what we set out to do from the beginning: make a good looking Stately Walking Stick.