It took me a while to realize that there are many forms of adaptive equipment that would make life infinitely easier. Call it stupidity, defiance, stubbornness or just plain laziness; whatever the reason once I broke down and decided to try some of these products I found that being part of the Handicapped World is not so scary and limiting as you might think. Stereotypes only have control if you let them define you. You can accept the help without accepting the label. Anyway, here is a list of all of the different tools that I have used that have made my life a little bit easier. There are also some tools that have just plain flopped. Those are listed here as well.
Bedroom Equipment
Lift Chair:
Golden Technologies - Max Comfort 505
I am in love with my lift chair. It's got an infinite recline and zero gravity capability. It is extremely
comfortable and I am able to use it as my bed. The only problem is that it is a little small. I bought the
large size and it is not quite big enough for me and my dog to sit comfortably. This would normally be a
deal-breaker but the chair is so darn comfy that my dog is kind of relegated to the foot rest.
Floor to ceiling poles:
HealthCraft SuperPole Traveller
This is a great tool if you need something to steady yourself while you're getting dressed, etc.
It's nice because it does not need to be permanently attached to the floor or ceiling, so you can move it
around however you wish. I bring it with me to my grandmother's house when I stay there for a few days and
install it next to the shower so I can have something to grab onto to get in and out of the tub. It's also
good for freaking out friends and family members when they think you are running a strip club out of your
bedroom.
Dressing Aides
These may seem like innocuous little things, but they really help! If you need a little extra help getting
things buttoned, zipped, clasped, hogtied, these things will really help. I can personally vouch for the
zipper pull, button hook, and magnetic jewelry clasps.
Kitchen Equipment
Jar opener:
Black & Decker Lids Off
I can remember one time before I got this, I was trying to open a jar of sauerkraut. I ran the thing
under hot water for half an hour, banged on the lid with a knife until it was barely recognizable and
still couldn't open it. I finally had to go outside and wait for half an hour until an unsuspecting
neighbor walked by to open it for me.
Hands-free can opener:
One Touch Can Opener
You may have seen this advertised on one of those as seen on TV infomercials. This is actually one of
those products that really works. Even if you don't have physical limitations this little gizmo is worth
the 15 bucks and then some. Even my father, who prides himself on his ability to strong arm anything,
loves this. This link is to the Sharper Image brand which is the one I have. I think it's a little bit
better than the one they advertise on TV.
Electric Wine Opener/Uncork-er:
Oster Rechargeable Wine Opener
As a wannabe wine connoisseur, I was quite dejected that I could no longer open a bottle of wine by myself.
Then I found this handy gadget. Again, even my "macho" dad likes using this thing.
Other adaptive equipment
Voice recognition software:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking
If I didn't have Dragon NaturallySpeaking I wouldn't have been able to have this website. You might think
that voice recognition software would be more trouble than it's worth, but I don't have to alter my speech
at all. I don't need to speak more slowly, I don't need to enunciate more; it recognizes everything I say
at a normal conversational rate. When I was writing my thesis this is how I did it. I don't think I would
have been able to write something coherent if I had to dictate to a person. It is very distracting and
daunting if you have to dictate to a live body. Speaking out loud does take some getting used to, but
once you do, it is just like writing the "normal" way. If you find you are frustrated with your inability
to use the keyboard anymore, this is a must have.
Mobility Equipment
Conversion Van:
Braun Ability Conversion Van
I love my conversion van. Without it, I would be pretty much homebound. It has a remote-controlled hydraulic
ramp and a swivel driver's seat. Although I'm not crazy about the actual minivan itself, the conversion
allows me a level of independence without which I might go crazy. It was pretty expensive, so if you have
a state run rehabilitation/vocational organization they may be able to help you pay for it. In New York
it is called VESID.
Pride Jet 7 Power Chair:
There are quite a few pros with my Jet 7, and some definite cons. It is quite comfy and has a reclining back,
which is nice. It lasts pretty long on charge owing mostly to its deep cell batteries. It gets going at a
pretty nice pace, and I can outrun most brisk walkers. I like the on-board charger, and if you lose your
cord any standard computer power cable works just as well. However it is located in a pretty inaccessible
area, way on the bottom in the back behind a bunch of wiring making it pretty hard to plug in if your range
of motion is compromised. The wheelchair itself is far too powerful for its weight and size making it
difficult to control around corners. There is no gradual slowing down. Every time you want to stop it's like
being in a car and slamming on the brakes. Your forward momentum can launch you out of your seat and onto
the floor, a fact I can attest to from personal experience, multiple personal experiences. There is also
no basket or carrying receptacle for personal items. That being said, Pride is a great company with a
wonderful set of wheelchairs. I don't believe you would be disappointed if you decided to invest in one.
Drive Medical Electric Scooter:
Before I made the leap to power chairs I had a number of electric scooters. The last one had was a drive
medical travel scooter. Stay as far away from this thing as you possibly can. It is top-heavy, uncomfortable,
unwieldy, and has this hideously annoying backup beeper that cannot be disabled. Every time I wanted to back
up I felt like I was in a garbage truck. Backing up in church - enough said.
Guardian Microlite Power Chair:
This was my very first chair. Before scooters, before power chairs there was the Guardian Microlite.
It was a wonderful little wheelchair for a newbie. It didn't go too fast, was easy to disassemble and had a
very small turning radius making it easy to get around inside. Only problem was the battery life. It never
lasted very long on a battery, and the batteries themselves became unusable after a very short time, about
six months. Toward the end of a set of batteries I could only get from the back of my apartment to the front.
They are not cheap to replace, either, about $150. I can't say that I wouldn't recommend it, though. Maybe
it's just sentimentality, but it really was a great first time chair.
Shoprider Jiffy Power Chair:
This chair is almost identical to the Guardian Microlite. It is my "indoor chair." It is a little bit
easier to control than the Pride and isn't as heavy, so it doesn't destroy the carpet quite so quickly.
I really like this chair, it sits a little bit higher than the Pride so I don't feel I am breaking my
neck to look up at people. It is also little bit more dignified. It's got a little basket underneath
so I always have a place for my cell phone or loose change, etc. It has a similar issue with battery
life as the Guardian, though. I haven't yet had the chair a year, only use it for small distances inside
my apartment, and I already need a new battery. If it weren't for this issue, I would be using this chair
as my primary mode of transportation.
Other Mobility Websites
Glad to Be Home
This is a great site because it offers free battery replacement for life.
I have purchased quite a few electric scooters from this site. They have reasonable shipping costs and I have never had any problems with them.
