Essential Items: Medibands

At Living with Disability we understand that thousands of people around the country live with hidden disabilities which are completely unnoticeable physically. We also understand that a range of disabilities can make communication and voicing a problem very difficult, which is why we think these Medibands are fantastic idea, especially to help out in an emergency.

Stylish and functional
Medibands are available in a range of colourful designs and like medical dog tags before them indicate exactly what condition the wearer has or perhaps how to treat them. A lot of the Medibands available are allergy related, which can be truly lifesaving but you can also get completely customisable ones which are designed to be written on. These are brilliant as there’s space to write a couple of important points such as ‘non-verbal, communicates through Makaton’ or ‘coeliac, use epi-pen’. This customisability is brilliant as you can ensure exactly what you want to convey in an emergency is immediately available to both the emergency services and any individuals who may try and help in a crisis situation.
As you can see, there is a huge range of different Medibands available and they come in a range of sizes so you will be able to find a suitable size. There are cute girly designsand also more professional looking bands perfect if you prefer to remain discreet about your circumstances. Bands can display your condition, your allergies, instructions or even what particular medication you’re on (as pictured).
The Medibands can truly be lifesaving and there are many happy customers that testify to this. Customers are happy with the way that Medibands can alert professionals to their condition without having to scream and shout about and many also find these Medibands more practical and accessible than traditional dog-tag style medical jewellery.
To find out more about the range of Medibands available and to make a purchase, click in the box below:

 To see the full range click the button

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Low Tech Lifesavers: Hydrant Water Bottle

The Hydrant Water Bottle

Created by inventor Mark Moran, who found himself thirsty and unable to get a drink whilst in hospital, the Hydrant is a simple but accessible design.

Some things are essential on a daily basis. Things such as eating, drinking and communicating are things which we expect to be able to do on a daily basis without too much difficultly. Living with a disability can mean support is needed to achieve these daily essential tasks and there are inventions out there to aid them. One of these items is the Hydrant water bottle.

The Hydrant water bottle is an innovative and intelligent design which making drinking simple for those who may have dexterity or fine motor problems. With a Hydrant water bottle there is no need to hold your drinking vessel, allowing you to drink with ease. The opportunity to drink freely can hugely aid the independence of those with limited mobility. It gives the ability to satisfy your own thirst without assistance as well as increasing your bodies ability to work and general well being.

This design is completely unique and the one-litre sized bottle which can be hung from your chair, bed or wheelchair and its drinking tube can be kept safely on your lap within your reach. To take a drink, there is a straightforward bite valve which you simply bite onto and suck. This design means there’s no risk of spillage and the design is patronised by Sir Ranulph Fiennes which shows exactly how much faith there is in this design. It’s used in hospitals, residential homes and by individuals in their own homes and is especially useful in combating dehydration.

What do Hydrant customers think?

Hydrant water bottle

• The Hydrant - 1 litre
• List Price:
• Price: £14.95
• Read Reviews

Hydrant water bottle makes drinking more accessible and helps prevent dehydration and thirst, aiding recovery and general health. This idea is very low tech but customers are extremely pleased with their purchase. Sir Ralph described it as “simply brilliant and brilliantly simple” and many users are amazed at how it’s helping them from such an obvious idea! In many cases, customers have been able to monitor their drinking more closely and dehydration is no longer a worry.

This product is a great low-tech development which can be used in the home and when out and about and really solves a problem which many people deal with on a daily basis, the inability to easily access a drink.

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The Trabasack Wheelchair Lap Tray

It can be difficult for wheelchair users to find the right bag for their needs, especially if they want to carry a laptop, iPad, or small detachable speech simulator with them. And many of us who use wheelchairs know how frustrating it is to have our movement restricted by a conventional wheelchair tray.

Ideal for meals, or a quick cuppa on the move!

The Trabasack range of wheelchair lap trays could be just what the situation calls for. Trabasack wheelchair lap trays have one side as tray surface that is firm and flat enough to write and work upon, and underneath a small beanbag sac that helps the trabasack to rest levelly on your knees without adding to the weight. Your Trabasack lap tray is convenient to carry and use on your lap wherever you are and whatever you’re doing: to sign forms in the bank; to rest your cup of coffee; to write notes; or for crafting.

Between the flat and beanbag surfaces of the Trabasack is a securely zipped bag with more than enough space for your daily needs. The Trabasack Curve is large enough for a 14″ laptop or notebook computer – it’s shaped to fit perfectly round the waist, and has no hard corners. The Trabasack Mini is super slim but large enough for iPads and most smaller laptops and notepads, and for A4 documents.

A Trabasack comes with handles and a choice of straps, so as well as a wheelchair lap tray it can be used as a briefcase, a messenger bag, or a shoulder bag. You can machine wash your Trabasack, and of course it comes with a one year guarantee.

Both types of  Trabasack come with a choice of surfaces on the flat side. The standard Trabasack has black leather-style PVC, easy to wipe clean and hardwearing. The Curve has a soft Velcro ready surface: anything with Velcro “hooks” attached will stick to it. So, for instance, you could attach velcro to your phone, remote control, games console, or a child’s toy, and be sure it won’t fall out of reach.

Here is a video testimonial from public speaker, Dr Mark Edworthy, that explains why he finds it useful:

Altogether the Trabasack is that rarest of things: a multipurpose product that really does succeed in all it sets out to do. Very highly recommended!

Available from trabasack shop or Amazon.

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Helping in the bathroom: The Buckingham Easywipe Toilet Aid

We were pleased to see the Buckingham Easywipe featured on ITV’s “This Morning” today, where it got an enthusiastic reception. If you would like to find out more about the Easywipe Toilet aid read on

• Buckingham EasyWipe Bottom Wiper
• List Price:
• Price: £19.35
• Read Reviews

The Buckingham Easywipe Instructions

Buckingham Healthcare are a family business with a real knowledge for disability and a genuine desire to create products that help people. The husband and wife, team Simon and Chris have a background in occupational therapy and mental health. One of their most popular products is the Easywipe, a delicate subject but an aid that really helps people who are overweight, have back pain or are of restricted growth.

The Easywipe was born of designer Chris’s experience as a OT and finding that people who had back problems or shorter arms were unable to reach around when in the toilet. This embarrassing problem is not a funny one, and the Easywipe toilet aid is a brilliant aid to cleanliness and dignity.

The Buckingham Easywipe is a patented design and a product that had to be created as there was no real solution to this problem. It’s a new and unique invention which overcomes all the drawbacks found in existing devices and ensures better personal hygiene for those who have difficulty with reaching.

The Buckingham Easywipe was ergonomically designed after significant research and is designed to be functional for anyone with limited dexterity and reach. Both its shape and mechanism are patented and it is able to securely grip toilet tissue and release it cleanly with no problems. It removes the need to touch the paper after use which is a huge development in technology in this field and means your personal hygiene is not compromised.

This product is one of their most innovative and original and the Buckingham Easywipe is designed to ensure ease of use and it is also easy to keep clean with no obvious dirt traps so it requires minimal maintenance.

The Compact Easywipe

Since developing the original Easywipe, they have gone on to further improve the design of this toilet aid also have produced the Buckingham Compact Easywipe Bottom Wiper which is fully foldable, comes with its own hard carry case and can be kept on your person when out and about discreetly. Reviews for this product are glowing and have consistently received five star ratings with customers describing it as “just what was needed” and “by far the best cleaning aid on the market.”

The Buckingham Easywipe and Compact Easywipe are both available from the Buckingham Healthcare website.

Or alternatively they are available on Amazon:

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Mattress Protectors: Brolly Sheets

Brolly Sheets are breathable and absorbent

Many of us need to use bedroom aids of one type or another. If you need to use mattress protection, you might have resigned yourself – reluctantly – to the noise, stickiness, and sweatiness of a PVC or vinyl mattress protector under you or your child.

Brolly Sheet mattress protectors, which are new to the UK but already very popular in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, could be the low-tech lifesaver you’ve been looking for. The unique top surface is comfortable 100% natural cotton, and the sheets come in five different colours, so there’s bound to be one to suit the decor. Or why not match it to your child’s football team colours?

Brolly Sheet mattress protectors have tuck-in gingham wings to hold them securely in place over a fitted sheet. Being highly absorbent, they are a big improvement on traditional mattress protection.  They hold up to 2 litres of fluid without risk of leaking, and have no PVC or vinyl to cause irritation or allergic reactions. The backing is quiet and a ‘non-sweaty’ waterproof polyurethane laminate.

Once your Brolly Sheet is wet, it’s so simple to change it without having to strip the entire bed. The sheets are machine washable and can be tumble or line dried.

Lightweight and easily portable, Brolly Sheet mattress protectors are ideal for travelling. They come in a range of sizes from single bed to king size. The cost of one Brolly Sheet is equivalent to only a few weeks’ worth of disposable mattress pads or night nappies.

Watch this video of Diane, the NZ creator of Brolly Sheets, explain them:

Reviewers love Brolly Sheet mattress protectors. One woman says she can’t speak highly enough of them, and will be getting another when she starts to toilet train her little boy. Another previously used a square protector without wings, which always moved. The Brolly Sheet stays still, it’s easy to change when necessary, and washes and tumble dries with no problems.

If you need to use mattress protectors and are fed up with sweaty, noisy sheets, Brolly Sheets are both functional and fashionable – a must-have!

At Living with Disability we have obtained some Brolly sheets at a special introductory price. We only have white single sheets and white single quilted mattress protectors, but, while stocks last, these are at an Amazon beating price!

Brolly Sheet White Single Quilted Mattress Protector including 2nd class Postage £18.95

Brolly Sheet White Waterproof Single Sheet Protector including 2nd Class postage £22.95

Buy with confidence, we are the same company that makes the award winning lapdesk travel bag Trabasack. Call 0800 567 7812 or email duncan (AT) trabasack.co.uk with any questions. Or use twitter @trabasack or @lwdisability. Alternatively the full range is available at Amazon, please click below.

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Telestik Portable Grabber – Guest post from Eleanor Lisney

We spotted this useful and interesting review of a telescopic portable grabber from Eleanor Lisney on twitter. Eleanor runs a market stall boutique on Coventry Market. She sells products that she has personally tried and tested for their usefulness and quality. If you are ever that way, please say hello to her. She is very friendly person who knows a thing or too about disability!

Here we are pleased to guest post Eleanors review of the Telestik:

Eleanor runs a Living Aid Boutique Stall at Coventry Market, pop by and say Hi!

“I am always excited when new stock arrive. Today is no exception, Mr G’s Batty sock and stocking aid arrived (he wanted something to help him put on his socks) and Mrs C’s foam handle for the knork as well. However I have also ordered some telestiks. I’ve never seen anybody with them before. I originally look them up for Donna because her mobile kept falling on the floor and it was difficult to get it up again. But they look so useful I had no hesitation in opening one up  for myself.

Telestik

I had great fun trying it out on picking up keys. credit cards, pieces of paper. But best of all I could put it on a strap accessory and hang it on my wheelchair along with my brolly. Now I know that when I am out I won’t have to worry if I drop things when I am on my own. I wished I had it with me the other day when I dropped a pound coin but there was no one around for me to ask for help. My grabber is a bit too unwieldy to carry around on my wheelchair.

this is what the manufacturers say -

TeleStik® is the newly designed portable reacher that does what the others don’t. TeleStik® allows you to retrieve hard-to-reach items without requiring significant grip strength or dexterity. And it gets in tighter places than other reachers because of its sleek design and clever sticking mechanisms.

If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other condition that makes it difficult to operate a traditional reacher, TeleStik® is your answer.

For those tight squeezes, like behind the desk where there’s no room to open and close a claw, TeleStik® will fish your telephone or computer line, where the others can’t.

Here is the video which I found interesting because I’ve not seen anyone with one here before.

It says that it’s for people who cannot use ordinary grabbers but I am beginning to love mine and I am already thinking up new uses for it and its going everywhere with me!”

This type of  Telestik portable grabber looks much better than the handi reacher that we reviewed a few months back. It looks very easy to use and the range of attachments increases it’s versatility. It is available from Eleanors Coventry Market stall but also on Amazon for those of us that cannot easily visit Coventry Market!

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Stickman Artist and Cartoonist: Hannah Ensor

At Living with Disability, we love to celebrate talented individuals and the work they produce. One such person is Hannah Ensor (@stickmancrips) who illustrates and writes cartoon books about life ‘on wheels’  as well as producing children’s books with ‘her’ charities Whizz-Kidz and HMS benefiting from the proceeds. At Living With Disability we love the witty and endearing style used throughout the books and the cleverly drawn characters.

Hilarious and heart-warming

As well as providing a humorous look about life on wheels and living with disabilities, Hannah also gives her reader a true portrait of exactly how it feels to be living with a disability and all the seemingly hilarious things that can happen, if only they weren’t happening to you. In You Know You’ve Been Pushing it When… we get a hilariously funny and witty look at life in a wheelchair, complete with Ensor’s complementary cartoons which just add more humour to her work. With every copy of this book sold, £1 is donate to HMS, the Hypermobility Syndrome charity.

Whizz-Kids Fundraisers

Stickman artist, Ensor has also written two children’s books, with the charity Whizz-Kids benefiting from the proceeds. Written for 2-5 year olds, Welly Walks and Biscuit Baking feature stickman cartoon kids in wheelchairs and are instrumental books for understanding the fear of being ‘different’ as a child growing up with a disability. Both are extremely funny, entertaining and pitched perfectly for their age group. Even better, £1 per sale goes to the Whizz-Kids charity, who strive to give disabled children the chance to lead independent fulfilling lives.

Ensor’s work extends beyond her books and as her success continues, we’ll be seeing more and more of her work in the public domain, with more commissions being sought all the time. From political protest to company logos, Hannah Ensor has a talent which deserves to be celebrated. Follow her work and success on her blog or on twitter.

If you’re interested in buying any of the books, please click in the boxes below:

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Ingenious Ideas: Illuminated Magnifiers

Living with a visual disability shouldn’t mean you miss out on reading your favourite newspapers, books or magazines. If you have impaired vision, there is no reason you can’t benefit from this great product: an illuminated stand magnifier, meaning whatever you need or want to look at can be even further magnified, making it clearer to see.
As well as reading for pleasure, there are many occasions where you might need to be able to read something and it can be frustrating to need other people’s support, with a stand magnifier, you can read your own bills, letters and such like and act on them independently without the need of support from others around you.

Stand Magnifiers: adjustable and illuminated

There are a huge range of magnifiers on the market but the most effective ones are complete with LED lighting and a sturdy adjustable stand of their own, meaning you can use them with ease whatever you want to read. This video shows a particularly popular brand in use:

These models were originally designed for use by crafters and those working with small parts but they have become more popular in the disability sector as people have realised how valuable they can be for those living with visual disabilities. Some models come complete with neck cord rather than a stand and this is just as useful when trying to read or decipher something. They can even be used for completing crosswords and puzzles.

Portable pocket devices

In addition to the larger home models available, you can also get illuminated magnifiers small enough to fit on a key ring, brilliant for when you’re out and about and you might need to check things such as price tickets etc. Rather than asking a shop assistant or fellow shopper for help, you can simply use your magnifier to check out the cost of something yourself.
If you’re interested in purchasing a magnifier, click in one of the boxes below:

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High-Tech Helpers: Robot Vacuum Cleaners

iRobot Roomba

The advancement of technology continues to speed off at an alarming rate and as each new product is developed, there are new ways that people living with disabilities can gain independence and fulfilment from their lives with less support from others. Now, the development of robotics has been seen more in sci-fi movies and books but it’s not longer a thing of the past, innovative robot vacuum cleaners have been developed and are available for general purchase.
Robot vacuum cleaners are a development which could significantly help those living with disabilities who find the general vacuum cleaner too heavy, too difficult to grip or have problems with bending and stretching. Rather than relying on support from carers or family, a robot vacuum cleaner can do the job for you on its own.

Samsung vs iRobot

Samsung Navibot

There are two main brands of robot vacuum cleaner on the market and both have their advantages and disadvantages. This video shows in depth which model benefits from which qualities and also their strengths and weaknesses:

As the video shows the iRobot Roomba is the original design, complete with all the features you think you may need in a robot vac but then along comes the Samsung NaviBot.

Now, the Navibot seems to be a newer, more technically advanced and highly developed model but on testing, it’s possible to see how both products have their strengths and how according to CNET the original design is much stronger than the new, apparently more technically advanced development.
The Navibot is fantastic for thorough and in depth cleaning and it’s vision mapping technology means it knows where it’s already been and won’t spin in circles but it does struggle with obstacles. The Roomba may take a little more time to get things done and may keep going over the same spot but the job will get done and the original technology proves to be superior in most instances.
If you’re interested in finding out more about either product, click in the boxes below:

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Low-Tech Lifesavers: One Handed Scissors

One handed scissors can be pushed down on a level tabletop

Table top or one handed scissors are a great rethink on an everyday item. There are some household items which can be so difficult to use if you have certain disabilities. But ordinary items can be made more easy to use with clever ‘design for all‘ thinking such as these toothpaste tubes and cutlery that have been previously discussed on this site. This is just the beginning, Scissors for example can be very difficult to use if you have poor dexterity, experience tremors or have weakened grip but there is an item available which removes all these problems.

Push-down One Handed Scissors are extremely lightweight and activated by pushing down on the top lever, causing the cutting motion and removing the need to hold the scissors altogether. This product is extremely innovative but also very simple and once you’ve pushed down on the ‘T’ shaped top lever, the scissors’ spring will reopen them automatically when you release it. They can be used on a level surface and are often also caused tabletop scissors.

Whether you need to cut wrapping paper, use them for a crafting hobby or just need kitchen scissors, this product is for you. They are supplied with a blade guard to keep them safe and they can be used for wrapping by keeping the paper flat and manoeuvring the scissors or vice versa. The design is perfect for keeping on your kitchen counter used one handed whenever you need them.

Table Top Scissors with secure base so that they can be used one handed

There are a range of different models available; some even come with a mounted plastic base to allow for further safety and to keep the product stable. A pair of these scissors removes the annoying difficulty of trying to use conventional scissors or relying on others.

If you’re interested in purchasing some one handed table top scissors click on the below box and you’ll be able  find out more:

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