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Mattress Protectors: Brolly Sheets

Mattress Protectors: Brolly Sheets

red Brolly Sheet mattress protector on single bed

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

Ingenious Ideas: Illuminated Magnifiers

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:

Low-Tech Lifesavers: One Handed Scissors

Low-Tech Lifesavers: One Handed Scissors

Using one table top scissors using only one hand

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.

Using one handed scissor on a table top

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 here to see the Peta-UK range available from Trabasack.com