CBD-infused goods are now readily available across the world
(Image Wikipedia)

Many people feel that there is a stigma around the consumption of cannabis (marijuana) because of the psychoactive component known as THC (tetrahydrocannabidol) – however, although CBD is an active ingredient of cannabis, it has no psychoactive properties. Therefore it does not produce a “high”, and is not known to cause addictive dependency or issues with substance abuse.

CBD stands for Cannabidiol – a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol is proven to help manage and diminish a number of health conditions, and give your system an extra boost of something that it actually already produces naturally: Endocannoabinoids – which help elevate mood, dampen pain and even fortify your memory.

Here we will talk about the various uses for CBD products and what you need to take into consideration should you choose to use them.

CBD for Epilepsy

There is strong scientific data that proves consumption of CBD-related products can have a positive effect on many different types of health condition. Most notably over the past year, it has become mainstream knowledge that CBD can be used concurrently with traditional medication to help stem seizures for children with epilepsy conditions, such as Dravets Syndrome and LGS (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome). Whereas previously some children with epilepsy conditions did not respond to anti-seizure medication, CBD as an alternative treatment is offering proven results, and hope to many parents around the world.

CBD for Mental Health and Neurological Conditions

CBD is also proven to alleviate the severity of a number of mental health conditions, most strikingly helping those diagnosed with anxiety and stress-related sleep issues, such as insomnia. For many with anxiety, depression and insomnia, finding the correct medication can often be a challenge – and facing the plethora of known side-effects from antidepressants can sometimes be detrimental to the recovery of the patient. CBD oils and capsules are an excellent starting-point for those with mental health conditions, and can help alleviate some of the lesser symptoms before moving-on to pharmaceutical medication.

The ability of CBD to calm and suppress certain functions of the central nervous system, can provide real life-changing results for patients with neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s, and tests show that CBD can even help slow-down the degeneration of neurons in patients.

CBD for Chronic Pain Relief

CBD Joint Palm for aching joints and muscles

Before CBD was separated from its fellow cannabis component THC (which provides a “high” when smoking marijuana) and became available on the high street, many people with unbearable chronic pain conditions would be forced to illegally purchase and consume cannabis to try to alleviate their suffering.

There are countless chronic pain conditions that can be managed more easily with either CBD capsules, oils or even better, specific balms that can be applied directly to sore, aching joints and problem areas to bring much-needed relief.

Massaging with CBD balms can be especially beneficial for those with sore and tender joint conditions – as CBD has anti inflammatory properties that offer promising pain relief for those with arthritis and joint injuries.

Types of CBD Explained

You may be feeling a little bewildered by the different types of CBD products currently on offer, and understandably so. The market for CBD products is growing at a daily rate, and everything from Vapes to hemp gummies are being sold. Below we will explain some of the most common options for CBD usage, and also some information about the strains of CBD currently available in the UK.

• Oils and Tinctures – These are created for you to ingest orally, usually by putting a few drops on or under your tongue. CBD Tinctures are mixed with alcohol, CBD oils are usually mixed with a carrier oil like hemp. Often people do not like the taste of the oils, however you can mix your tincture or oil into smoothies and juices if you prefer.
• Topical Balms and Creams – Whether you prefer lotions, balms or salves – there is a CBD-infused option for everyone. Many high-end topicals combine natural and organic essential oils together with CBD extract to create luxurious face balms and soothing massage salves for aching, painful joints.
• Capsules and Supplements – Capsules are ideal for those who like the routine of taking a tablet each day, and can simply be taken with a glass of water like you would with any other sort of tablet. Many are produced in gelatin-free, vegan capsules, and the CBD content will vary depending on the strength chosen.
• Vapes or Vaping – As Vaping is now so commonplace in society, it seems only natural to consider vaping CBD vape oil – however it is said that vaping CBD is actually less effective and beneficial than other methods of administration, with tinctures being the most effective and speedy way to benefit from the effects.

Strains and Strengths of CBD Oil

Bottles show the different strengths of Indica CBD available from Another CBD Company

There are three main strains of Cannabis from which CBD is processed. Each strain has its own specific qualities, that will be beneficial depending on what condition you are wishing to treat.
Once you have chosen your desired strain, it is then time to choose a strength – again this can be subjective as everyone reacts differently to different strengths – but it is best to start on a lower strength and work-up from there if you feel the need to.

Sativa

Cannabis Sativa plants have long, slender, light lime green leaves. Sativa CBD provides an invigorating, wakening effect that is excellent for treating stress and anxiety. Usually considered the “daytime” cannabis, many use it for boosting focus and creativity.
Health conditions Sativa works best with include: anxiety, depression, PTSD

Indica

The leaves of the Cannabis Indica plant are stubbier, broader and darker in colour than the leaves of the Sativa. Cannabis Indica is associated with an overall relaxing feeling, contributing to a sense of calm and peacefulness. Sativa is known as the “nighttime” cannabis.
Health conditions Indica works best with include: Insomnia, aches and pains, muscle spasms and tremors, epilepsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease and autism

Hybrid

Hybrid CBD is exactly what it sounds like – a crossbreed of the Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa plants. Therefore the effects will be a balance of the qualities of the Indica and Sativa plants used. Each hybrid is different, and the outcome of effects will depend upon the ratio of the two plants within the hybrid strain.

The post The benefits of CBD appeared first on .

To jump to prices – click here

Promove Slings don’t need a hoist! They have handles so that you can be lifted by a couple of willing people. The perfect solution for wheelchair users in many different environments to ensure a safe and easy transfer, especially when travelling. The product is the brainchild of Dr Huw Thomas, a wheelchair user who got tired of being manhandled when travelling by aeroplane and he developed the Promove Sling as the answer. Huw has since won the Sir Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2011 which has helped Huw reach more people with his liberating invention.

Dr Huw pictured winning the Disabled Entrepreneur of the year award with Stelios and joint winner Rob from ActiveHands.

Why use a hoist and sling?

As any wheelchair user knows, an awkward lift by untrained people can cause pulled muscles and aches and pains for weeks. In the worst cases, a fall from your chair and even broken bones. Transferring with a sling is much safer and comfortable for everybody. The difficulty comes when the hoist is broken, has run out of charge or you are somewhere where they simply don’t have one. Most people have experienced hospital appointments, holidays or travel abroad where they have wished that a hoist was available. Portable hoists are becoming smaller, but they are still bulky and heavy. The Promove sling is a portable and affordable option.

Carry a Manual Sling with you

Promove Slings provide a back up plan and an option when you are away from home. They can be carried at all times to ensure, even if an emergency occurs, a safe and easy transfer.  These specially designed manual slings have been on the market for five years and have recently been made available through Trabasack.com. Designed to ensure dignity is maintained, the more people who can access Promove Slings the better.

Promove Sling Video

Where’s the Need?

Promove Sling in Action

Promove Slings are a much needed product due to the fact that the only way to move a disabled person where a hoist isn’t present is by picking them up under the arms and trying to move them as carefully as possible. This of course can be extremely embarrassing for the individual and there is the risk of injury, especially if the individual lifting has no training or experience as is often the case. If the wheelchair user or even the facility being used has a Promove Sling available then the transfer from the wheelchair can be carried out safely without embarrassment for any part involved.

Product Range

Promove has a range of different slings for different people to ensure all age groups are covered and transferring with a sling is possible for all individuals who need support.

Adult Slings

Adult Promove Sling

Promove offer two separate adult slings. Each sling is designed so the wheelchair user can be transferred with the support of 2-4 handles lifting them safely. The Standard Adult Manual Handling Sling is a simply designed sling which is highly portable and is designed to simply be placed under the seated individual ready for transfer. The sling provides support for the whole body including shoulders and legs and padded handles also provide extra comfort for the handlers. The adult sling is designed to hold people up to 45 stone and the second adult sling has an additional head support.

Children’s Slings

Child Size 1 Promove Sling

Promove also have a range of emergency slings for children. Keeping children comfortable and calm whilst being transferred can be essential in avoiding real upset and therefore a Promove sling should be used wherever possible. Promove has two sizes of slings for children. The child 1 size sling is suitable for children aged from 3 up to 10 years old and the the child size 2 sling is suitable for children aged from 8 to 14. There are also children’s slings with head support available. The feature are the same as the adult model with comfortable space to sit as well as reinforced handles for the comfort of the handler.

All Promove slings are 100% British designs and are extremely lightweight and machine-washable and provide a safe and comfortable means of transport to and from a wheelchair where a hoist isn’t available. There are many different environments and sectors where Promove slings are invaluable.

Benefits of Promove Slings

There are many benefits to Promove Slings over being lifted manually. The key ones include:

• Being transferred without being uncomfortably manhandled
• Friends and family can move you without risk of injury
• Assurance that you can be evacuated safely in an emergency
• Easy to carry in its own carry bag or stored in your rucksack
• Multiple sizes mean they are accessible to all who need them
• They provide an intermediate step for children getting used to hoisting

Who is using Promove Slings?

Individuals

Promove Slings are a lifetime investment and affordable and can be bought by individuals who want the peace of mind of knowing they’ve always get access to a means of evacuation and transfer if necessary. It means friends and family can move wheelchair users without risk of injury. Even if your carer is usually able to lift you or you are able to transfer yourself, they are a great standby for peace of mind.

Emergency Services

Fire and Rescue and the Ambulance service use Promove Slings for lifting disabled people in challenging environments. They can also be used where people have been injured and need to be moved. Promove can be quickly placed below an individual who is confined with minimal displacement (avoiding further skeletal damage if it has taken place). Promove Slings provide an efficient and safe solution in emergency situations.

Education

Schools and colleges can provide more for their disabled pupils by using Promove slings to transfer them to and from their wheelchairs. They can be used to wheelchair users can get involved in more activities as well as in emergency situations. It’s the perfect solution in schools where installing a tracking hoist isn’t possible.

Airports

As was the creator’s initial problem airport transfers when travelling can be extremely stressful. UK Airport service providers use Promove Slings to move passengers from their wheelchair into an aisle chair and then on into their aircraft seat. This safe and easy process removes the undignified lifting which may previously have occurred. Promove Slings comply with airline Health and Safety requirements and minimise the risk of travellers claiming against the airline or airport. We wish that all airline had them but sadly in our experience it is better to have your own!

Children might also benefit from a flight chair, for more tips for flying with a disabled child visit here http://sensoryplaytray.com/flying-disabled-child/

Care Sector

With all the worries and concerns surrounding the healthcare and caring industries at the moment – doing things properly according to guidelines really matters. Corporate and private carers of people in specialised homes for the older or disabled people should use Promove slings for all manual-handling of service users where independent movement isn’t possible and a hoist is unavailable. Hoists can breakdown or be allowed to run out of battery charge. It makes sense for every organisation to have a sling for these occasions.

Take back the control and reduce the worry of travel

Promove slings can really make a difference to the lives of wheelchair users especially when travelling. The scope to fly and travel without worrying about transferring to and from your wheelchair is extremely liberating and Promove Slings make this possible.

We (Duncan and Clare Edwards) have had a promove sling for two years and always take it with us on holidays and overnight stays. It has been a great standby and has been a godsend on several occasions.

For prices click here

If you have used a manual sling or have ever had problems with a broken hoist or an airline lift or anything related to this post, please leave a comment below

The post Promove Slings – Peace of Mind while Travelling appeared first on .

Having to bend to tie shoe laces can cause pain and difficulty

Tying shoelaces can be a daily struggle for many people. Having to bend and stretch can be uncomfortable and cause pain, whilst also taking an inconvenient amount of time to do so. However, there are gadgets and types of shoe laces to help you avoid this. Elasticated and stretchy laces are the best known solutions, they help you transform your everyday lace-up shoes into slip-ons, to provide comfort and ease of use. How do they work and what are the alternatives?

How Do Elastic Laces for Shoes Work?

The stretch lace fabric of these shoe laces are threaded and tied in exactly the same way as ordinary laces. However, the elasticated fabric provides tension once tied, and it it this that makes sure your shoes remain tight and secure whilst wearing them.
When using elastic shoelaces, you only ever have to tie your shoelaces once the first time you apply them. After this your lace-ups work as slip-ons, permanently removing the need for you to bend and stretch. Eventually they may still come undone though.

Greeper Shoe Laces for Disability

Average elasticated shoe laces can easily break

There are many simplified versions of the elastic shoe lace on the market, most of which offer a temporary solution to the problem.
Cheaper elastic laces can lose their stretch over a short amount of time. Most importantly elastic laces often come undone whilst you’re wearing your shoes. This can make shoes uncomfortable and give you a less secure feeling whilst being worn as well as being a trip hazard!

This is why Greeper have designed an innovative and inclusive alternative to elastic shoe laces. Greepers are designed using high quality traditional polyester laces but have a simple fitting system that provides toggle that prevent the laces ever coming undone “Once applied, always tied”.

Greeper laces are ultimately more durable and comfortable than elastic shoe laces, they give better support as they use traditional laces that do not stretch.

After the initial application, Greeper shoelaces are forever tied. Unlike elasticated laces Greeper shoe laces do not rely on the tension of elastic to keep the shoes fastened. Instead an ingenious toggle system allows you to tighten or loosen the laces quickly and easily, whilst giving you piece of mind that they will always stay fastened.

Greeper Easy Fasten Shoelaces Vs Elasticated Shoe Laces

Reviewers the world over have made comparisons between elasticated laces and the innovative design of the Greeper shoelace. “220 Triathlon” magazine recently voted the Greeper Lace as “editors choice” and many world-renowned athletes champion the Greeper lace over other elasticated brands. It’s fair to say that when elasticated laces are pitted-against Greeper Laces, Greeper “out-run” the competition every time!

The benefits of Greeper laces vs elasticated shoe laces:

• Greeper Laces never come undone – ensuring complete shoe support and comfort, reducing the risk of injury, increasing performance.
• Quick and easy to fasten – Simple toggle system allows you to loosen and tighten your shoes in seconds, without ever untying your laces.
• Fully adjustable – Eliminates overly-long lace loops, provides the ultimate fit and promotes foot health, especially for sports.
• Polyester laces – Elastic shoe laces can become weak and break whilst running – the use of traditional-style polyester laces removes the fear of laces ever breaking or loosing tension.
• Much better support to the foot. The laces themselves do not stretch, therefore the shoe supports the foot much better than laces where the laces are stretching during movement.

Time-saving Sports Laces

Caroline Steffan – ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship title-holder, wearing Greeper Laces.

One of the other pros of Greeper Laces is the time-saving aspect. Greeper Laces benefit from allowing you to quick-tighten your laces. If you are the sporting type, enjoying competitive sport – Greeper Laces can knock much needed seconds off you run-time.
The lace lock system allows super-swift lace tightening and the secure fitting provides security throughout your run.
This eliminates the need to stop-start to fix loose laces, and stops extra foot movement that often happens using elastic laces.
Once you have set up your Greeper Laces properly, they will help to shave those precious pit-stop seconds off your run time. Endorsed by Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington on Twitter:

Final top tip. Buy some @GREEPER_LACES. Cheap, keeps your feet secure, won’t come undone & % goes to charity!

— Chrissie Wellington (@chrissiesmiles) April 3, 2014

We’ve found a review on amazon by a customer who purchased Greeper Laces for her sports-loving husband:

Bought these for my hubby as he is a keen triathlon competitor. Just what he required to save himself a few valuable seconds… Thank you.

Greeper Always Tied Shoelaces Used by Everyone

Although championed by professional athletes and amateur sports fans alike, Greeper laces are an affordable inclusive design that can be used by anyone.

The bright colours and design of the Flats range of Greeper Laces are ideal for children’s shoes

Greeper laces come in a number of different styles and colours. The “Sports” design being perfect for all types of athletic sport-shoe and the “Hikers” design ideal for more outdoor-style footwear and activities.
The designers at Greeper understand the need for an everyday, easy to apply lace for  everyone, including people with impairments or disability. That is why they have produced a number of non-sport styles to assist those who simply need a lace solution for work or school.
The “Execs” and “Flats” ranges are the ultimate in inclusive design. These can be worn with smart dress-shoes, school shoes or trainers, yet still providing the same comfort and security of the more athletic designs.

Stay Tied Laces For Children

Many parents find the white and black sports or exec laces ideal for children at school. It removes the need for children to retie their laces or the danger of the shoes coming off or even being taken off (!) by children with disabilities or behavioural problems.  Like this recent feedback from Amazon: “bought these for my son who has autism and struggles to tie laces and they are perfect as he can do them on his own making him as independent as possible.”

For more information about Greeper Laces please see our previous post.

An extensive range of Greeper laces are available for purchase at Trabasack.com

@trabasack They are great, but if you find fiddly things hard, you’ll need help setting them up, once on, amazing!

— Rob (@GingerRob) February 23, 2013

The post Elastic Shoe Laces Reviews and Comparison with Greeper Laces appeared first on .

Supports Dignity and Independence in Dressing

Getting a bra on with one hand is very difficult without the help of a Bra Angel

The Buckingham Bra Angel

This week we thought we would feature a Bra Angel review. Not to be confused with the The Bra Angel Bra Repair Kit : instant bra repair kit that is a also available, the Buckingham Bra Angel is a gadget to help with putting on a bra with one hand

Dressing and personal care are among the most intimate and private areas in somebody’s life and the need for support in this can be upsetting and cause anxiety. At Living with Disability, we have searched to find a range of products which support individuals with their independence in personal care including the Uriwell Range and the Denham Brush and the latest product we’ve discovered is the Buckingham BraAngel. At the best of times fastening and unfastening bras can be difficult and it can become even more taxing if you live with a disability or injury. Women living with upper limb restrictions including weakness following a stroke, arthritis or permanent damage after trauma can find drawing together the ends of the bra very difficult and then realise they need support getting dressed. The Buckingham Bra Angel can even be used successfully by those who have the use of one arm or have had an amputation.

The Buckingham Bra Angel Dressing Aid

The BraAngel Dressing Aid has been specifically developed with this problem in mind by a trained and experienced occupational therapist. The aid is designed to provide support whether it’s needed for just a short period after a fracture or for longer more permanent usage.
As the image shows the BraAngel holds one end of the bra tightly whilst the other end can be brought around the body and attached to the secure end. As you can see the BraAngel is comfortably positioned around the neck, between the cleavage and comes with a useful soft chin pad to allow you to maintain its position whilst clearly seeing the fastenings so you can easily put on the bra.

The features of the BraAngel cannot be underestimated and as a truly universal design, it should be possible to use it with all different styles and types of bra and all collar sizes. The product is designed to allow for easy discreet storage and should require next to no cleaning as it’s designed with no obvious dirt traps. The product is 100% free of latex allowing those with allergies to use it when necessary and the heart shaped chin pad allows for comfort and extra functionality when securing the device.

Bra Angel Review

Using the Bra Angel

The Bra Angel has it’s fans and was reviewed recently by the  ‘British Mobility Scooters’ blog who said “The Bra-Angel holds one end of the brassiere securely whilst the other end is brought round the body and attached together. It even enables those who only have the use of one arm to be able to put on their brassiere independently.”

An original, ingenious idea that can give women back their independence and privacy when dressing, the BraAngel is truly an innovation. To purchase your own please visit Trabasack.com

The post Ingenious Ideas: The Buckingham Bra Angel appeared first on .

Searching for “Disabled Shoe laces “? Greeper laces are always tied, useful for top sportsmen and people with disabilities a truly universal design.

With the Paralympics coming up we thought we would feature a neat gadget used by top athletes like World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington MBE.

Shoelaces as used by top sportswoman Chrissie Wellington MBE

At Living With Disability we were really excited when we first heard about greeper laces as we realised the difference they could make to so many lives. You see, Greeper Shoe Laces carry the tagline ‘One Applied, Always Tied’ and you can adjust, loosen or do anything you need with your shoe laces without every needing to tie and untie them. This really is an innovative, yet simple creation which we had to share.

There are many groups of people living with disabilities who can significantly benefit from Greeper Shoe Laces. Firstly, we thought of those living with a range of learning disabilities which have made tying shoe laces very difficult. In the past, many people living with certain learning disabilities were seen only wearing Velcro shoes but with Greeper Shoe Laces, the range of shoes to choose from is wider and more accessible. Secondly, Greeper Shoe Laces are a great idea for children with autism who frequently remove their shoes, as there’s no need to retie and they can be put back on in seconds. We also believe Greeper Shoe Laces would be a great idea for anybody living with painful conditions such as arthritis which make bending and stretching difficult. You can simple slip your shoes on and off and the laces remain tied. People who are overweight or have back pain can also benefit as the laces remove the need for bending of reaching down to retie them during the day.

Once applied they stay on all day long

Greeper Shoe Laces require a little initial fitting but once it’s done, they’re there to stay. They come in a huge range of colours and two different lengths, so you can fit them in your trainers or boots. The really ‘inclusive design’ wow factor is the fact that they can be used in any shoes or training boots, removing the need to find expensive specialist footwear and allowing athletes to choose the absolutely most suitable shoes for the event. They’re a great help and remove one more of those pesky daily tasks which can become a difficult chore. This informational video shoes exactly how Greeper Shoe Laces work:

Range of Greeper Laces

There are several styles in the Greeper lace range. No matter what the occasion or task, there is a Greeper lace in a style and colour to fit your needs and tastes.

Sports Greeper laces in Neon Pink

Sports Greeper Laces

Greeper Sports laces are ideal for all types of sports shoes. Whether you enjoy tennis, running or golf; the Sports range are an oval type like the ones usually included with running shoes. They are also perfect for school shoes such as smart footwear or plimsoles used for gym.

Sports Greeper Laces are available in the following colours:

• Neon Green
• Purple
• Red
• Neon Orange
• Yellow
• Blue
• Black
• Neon Pink
• White
• Grey

Beige and Brown Hiker-style Greeper Laces

Hiker Greeper Laces

Greeper Hiker Laces are ideal for outdoor hiking and walking boots. They are longer than any of the other styles (150cm). This allows for the extra length needed when threading through the eyelets of boots. Greeper Hiker Laces feature a durable yet lightweight nylon toggle with high tension springs. This ensures that your laces will stay tight no matter the incline or conditions.

Hiker Greeper Laces are available in the following colour combinations:

• Purple/Black
• Brown/Black
• Beige/Brown
• Black/White
• Pink/Purple

Smart and stylish – Black Greeper Execs laces

Execs Greeper Laces

The Execs range of Greeper Laces are a stylish and formal option for smart shoes and occasions. Perfect for classic men’s shoes, business footwear and both girl’s and boy’s school shoes.
Execs Greeper Laces are available in either Brown or Black.

Modern and Fresh – The Greeper Flats range in Orange

Flats Greeper Laces

The Flats range of Greeper Laces are most popular amongst younger sporting-types. They are 10mm wide, flat laces that are usually found in less-formal sports footwear. They are ideal for pumps and “Converse” skater style footwear, and are available in with either the SureGrip or Sports toggle.

Flats Greeper Laces are available in the following colours:

• Pink
• Black
• White
• Red
• Purple
• Orange
• Brown

Thomas the Tank Engine Greeper Laces for Children

All children will struggle to learn how to tie their own laces, however for a number of children with fine motorskill issues, SEN and autism – this can be a frustrating new skill to learn, and may cause a lot of stress to both the child and care-giver when it comes to putting on their shoes. Greepers are ideal for children who struggle to fasten their own laces, and Greeper have designed an extra-special fun pair of laces featuring the most famous train in the world – Thomas the Tank Engine himself!

Officially endorsed by the NAS (National Autistic Society), these Thomas-themed Greepers are perfect for children who often remove their shoes when out and about, as the “stay tied” functionality means shoes can be quickly placed back on feet without having to retie the laces. For every pair of Thomas the Tank Engine laces sold, Greeper make a contribution to the NAS.

At Living with Disability we are particularly excited about this product because it really is a brand new idea and something we think thousands of people could benefit from. If you’re interested in making a purchase, please checkout the range of Greepers available from Trabasack.com

The post Low-Tech Lifesavers: Greeper Shoe Laces appeared first on .

High-Tech Helpers: Adjustable Shower Chair

At Living with Disability we have previously discussed the importance of dignity and independence for personal care and hygiene processes and have looked at items which supported this process. Today, we’re looking more closely at the range of adjustable shower chairs on the market and how they can be a huge help if you don’t have an adapted bathroom but need support using your shower or bath.

Shower Chairs make personal care dignified

Adjustable shower chairs are a great option as you can position them at the right level for you to ensure you can shower easily, comfortable and without risk of falling or slipping. The range of height adjustable shower chairs make showering safer and less stressful if you live with a condition which affects your mobility. Modern adjustable shower chairs allow for more comfort and the newer, more modern designs are more compact and lightweight than previous models. Some models even feature wheels making transfer to and from the bedroom or dressing room much simpler too. The lightweight and compact models make supporting someone living with disabilities slightly easier too as providing personal care becomes much easier whilst using a specifically designed piece of equipment.

Showering and bathing are very private elements of your personal care routine and any support you need needs to be given with dignity. Additional apparatus such as adjustable shower chairs can really make the process less uncomfortable. Customers who have already purchased their chair sing their praises, recommending them for being both lightweight and sturdy and providing much needed support in homes without adapted bathrooms.
This video from a company specialising in Multiple Sclerosis relief shows clearly how shower chairs can be correctly used:

There are a huge range of shower chairs on the market but all the reputable branded models are of equal quality. If you click in the box below you’ll be able to purchase one of the most competitively priced models on the market:

image
title	Shower Chair with Adjustable Height	Shower Perching Stool with Arms Adjustable Height	Clean Shower & Toilet Chair – Adjustable Height	Extra Wide Shower & Commode Chair – Adjustable Height with Detachable Arms	Shower Chair With Back – Lightweight, Adjustable Height And Integral Handles
Height
Length
Width
Weight	7.05 pound				7.39 pound
Brand	Essential Aids	ASM Medicare	ABLE2	Nottingham Rehab Supplies (NRS)	Aidapt
price	29.99	32.95	625.91	262.50	38.99
reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews
link	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info
Manufacturer	Essential Aids	ASM Medicare	ABLE2	NRS	Aidapt
Studio	Essential Aids	ASM Medicare	ABLE2	NRS	Aidapt
Title	Shower Chair with Adjustable Height	Shower Perching Stool with Arms Adjustable Height	Clean Shower & Toilet Chair – Adjustable Height	Extra Wide Shower & Commode Chair – Adjustable Height with Detachable Arms	Shower Chair With Back – Lightweight, Adjustable Height And Integral Handles
Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews
Link	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info

After this post we received this post from Guy at DisabledGear.com suggesting his Travel Shower chair

[blackbirdpie id=”222761150792728578″]

Travel shower chair a best seller at DisabledGear.com

The shower chair from DisabledGear is a superior shower chair and is easily folded away when not required. A real boon for short term storage and carrying it with you, it uses a patented folding design. The light blue foam padded back support is comfy and firm for resting against and the non-slip foam seat has a convenient U-shaped hole for er.. convenience

The armrests are also padded with foam for comfortable support when seated or rising and they also reposition out of the way to help you get onto the seat. The foam arms can be locked down by a  push-release catch for peace of mind. The clever shape and ergonomics of the shower chair ensures that it is firmly anchored to the floor whilst transferring your weight to another chair or surface – something that other makes and models cannot always achieve.

The legs are height adjustable and have ferrules to stop the shower chair from slipping or moving while it is being used. An aluminium frame means that it is one of the lightest models available is fully resistant to rust or corrosion.

Seat size 406 x 406mm (16 x 16′). Height adjustable to max.483mm / 19″. Weight 5kg. Price £133 Ex VAT

If you buy from Guy you know you have a guarantee of quality and top class customer service and the backing of the ethical and service led KanduGroup.com of which he is chairman.

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Adjust the height of your furniture in a few short seconds

If you need to adjust the height of your furniture or bed because of back pain or hoisting, these furniture raisers could be a big help.

There could be many reasons behind your need to modify and adapt your furniture, be that your bed or sofas and it’s understandable that the cost of brand new beds and sofas is not something that’s readily affordable most of the time. Whether you live with back pain or related issues, or perhaps have a mobility related condition that means you need your furniture at a more easy to access level, Langham Furniture Raisers can help. Simple to design and easy to fit, these small adapters can make all the difference and received positive feedback when exhibited at the Naidex New Product Showcase this year.

A Range of Styles and Designs

Langham Raisers fitted to a Sofa

The Langham Furniture Raisers can simply be attached to the feet of your existing sofa or bed, giving it some additional height and aiding your access to your furniture. They can even be used to raise tables and other furniture if necessary. What’s more, they come in a range of designs which mean you can match them to your existing furniture with both multipurpose and Wooden Cube Style Raisers available. They come in different heights so you can gain up to an extra 4″ on your furniture’s original height. What’s more the latest design come with SureFix technology which is a unique double grip design which ensures a safe and secure hold. As this video shows, there are many ways these items can be used:

The range of designs and styles means you don’t have to install some clinical or badly designed product into your home and you can actually find designs which suit the décor of your home and you won’t even notice them after a short while.

Holiday away? Take a set of furniture raisers with you!

Many people worry about the height of beds and chair while they are away on holiday. These furniture risers are small and light enough to take with you when you travel abroad on take a shorter trip away from home. Keep a spare set in the boot of the car!

With many happy customers already benefiting from their furniture raisers if you feel you need a little height and don’t want to fork out for a brand new three piece suite or bed, this is a fantastic alternative:

Furniture raisers from Buckingham Healthcare

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title	Raise Its – 8 Pack Furniture Risers – Black – For the Bed, Desk, Table or Dresser – Great for Eliminating Back Pain or f	Raise Its – 8 Pack Furniture Risers – Black – For the Bed, Desk, Table or Dresser – Great for Eliminating Back Pain or f	Furniture Raisers – Elephant feet 14cm (4 pack)	Raise Its – Clear Furniture Risers 16 pack (for 4	Etac Step Standard Furniture Risers – set of 4
Brand	Headwind	Headwind	Gordon Ellis		Homecraft
price	14.99	14.99	19.50	28.99	109.99
reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews
link	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info
Feature	Made from rugged, durable plastic and interlock as you stack them No Tools Required – Holds Up To 600 lbs Each Raise Its are 4	Made from rugged, durable plastic and interlock as you stack them No Tools Required – Holds Up To 600 lbs Each Raise Its are 4
Title	Raise Its – 8 Pack Furniture Risers – Black – For the Bed, Desk, Table or Dresser – Great for Eliminating Back Pain or for Elderly to get in or out of Bed Easier	Raise Its – 8 Pack Furniture Risers – Black – For the Bed, Desk, Table or Dresser – Great for Eliminating Back Pain or for Elderly to get in or out of Bed Easier	Furniture Raisers – Elephant feet 14cm (4 pack)	Raise Its – Clear Furniture Risers 16 pack (for 4	Etac Step Standard Furniture Risers – set of 4
Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews
Link	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info	More Info

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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

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 Buckingham Easiwipe Compact 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 full range of Buckingham toilet aids, including the Buckingham Easywipe and Compact Easywipe are available from Trabasack.com

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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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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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