The Many Benefits of Wheelchair Pushrims

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The report, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, looked at different lacing patterns in sports shoes, and found that a firm “foot-to-shoe coupling” (FTSC) could be beneficial to athletes and less sporty folk alike.

It’s not just professional athletes who will benefit from the security of Greepers laces

Real shoelaces, such as those used by the revolutionary “always tied” Greepers laces, provide that secure attachment.

The research went on to say: “A firm foot-to-shoe coupling… leads to a more effective use of running shoe features and is likely to reduce the risk of lower limb injury.”

Researchers at Sheffield University are investigating the benefits of running performance using real laces, and have uncovered some promising findings that should make all runners  – and non-runners alike – think about how they lace their shoes.

Why choose real shoelaces?

The right shoes – and laces – can make a world of difference to runners. A firm FTSC helps stop excessive movement of the foot and lower leg, reducing the risk of injury by eliminating unnecessary bends, pulls and twists.

Think about how your foot moves when you plant it on the ground. Do you want it firmly anchored, or able to stretch on elastic? Opinions vary among professional athletes and occupational therapists alike, and sometimes it’s a matter of personal taste and preference.

Silver winning Jacqui Allen at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships.
Greeper laces are used by top athletes.

But, with research indicating that injuries could be reduced with less stretchy laces, the debate is sure to intensify.

And, unlike elastic laces that allow extra movement of the foot as you pound the pavements, “real” shoelaces such as Greepers provide minimal movement, aiming to lessen the impact of every step.

Greeper review in Triathon Magazine

Security with every step

It’s not just athletes who will find a benefit in having shoelaces that are firmly attached. It’s easy to see how disabled athletes, people with joint pain or bone weakness and  those of us with reduced mobility need security and stability with every single step.

Greepers provide a simple and accessible solution. Once they’re tied once, you don’t need to tie them again – meaning they can be loosened and tightened but not undone. If you find it a pain to reach down and tie shoelaces, or need a shoelacing solution for someone who needs to know they won’t have to keep tying and untying at school, these sturdy and stylish laces offer the perfect package.

Greepers are available in a range of different styles

Many parents find the Greepers laces the perfect choice for children who have a range of needs, for example if children regularly take off their shoes at unwanted times or if they have difficulty in tying them and don’t like the feel of Velcro fastenings.

There’s also the Greeper fastening device for people who can only use one hand, to help get the laces snug.

Greepers are available at Trabasack.com

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There are many different reasons a person may have difficult with their grip or poor hand function and it can make independence and access to a wide range of regular daily tasks difficult. Active Hands specialise in creating aids which provide their users with a functional gripping aid or aids, letting them enjoy activities which they may never have thought possible.

The Story behind Active Hands

The Active Hands Company Ltd is the development and creation of Rob Smith, an inventor who used his own experiences to develop his gripping aids. In 1996, as a student, Rob suffered a high-level spinal cord injury which resulted in partial paralysis in all four limbs and whilst his recovery took some time, he returned to continue studying engineering.

Lack of hand function became a real frustration however and this is when the first seed of thought was planted and quickly Rob got together the necessary materials and with the help of his mother and her sewing machine, the first prototype was made and these gripping aids allows Rob much more hand functionality.

From household tasks to skiing, Rob could now enjoy many activities that had been impossible after his injury and the family then took the next step and began to make the aids for others, with the limited company founded in 2008.

The product is now available in a range of sizes for a range of purposes and has helped many individuals enjoy a fuller life, from helping tots ride their first tricycle to allowing treasured hobbies to be discovered.

A Closer Look at Active Hands Gripping Aids

This informative video shows exactly what Active Hands Gripping Aids can do and how they can be used:

All of the aids produced by Active Hands are made from strong webbing material to ensure they are long lasting, even when used for strenuous activities and the aids are easily washed in your washing machine.

There are a wide range of different Active Hands Gripping Aids, which we’ll look at in turn below:

Active Hands General Purpose Gripping Aid

Active Hands General Purpose Gripping Aid

The original. A standard aid created to be used in a range of environments, at home for DIY, working out in the gym or to hold a wide range of sporting equipment including a pool cue or a rowing oar. You can use them to enjoy gardening or to hold a glass bottle or even to hold a games console controller.

They’re available in a range of sizes, including those for young children, with the mini gripping aid in pink or blue and the adult version can also be bought in pink. We had a closer
look at childrens gripping aids on our sister blog here.

Looped Exercise Aids

Designed for fitness fanatics, these looped exercise aids are ideal for using in the gym and the loops make them perfect for using equipment such as pull down bars and rowing machines.

This video shows the looped aids in action:

D-Ring Aids

Active Hands Gripping Aid for Working Out

D-Ring aids are another creation for use in the gym, sold as a pair and perfectly designed so you can access cable and pulley machines with ease. They allow for a greater range of movement and can be beneficial for those with limb differences as well as weak hand function.

Outdoor Aid

A modified version of the standard Active Hands General Purpose Aid, the Outdoor Aid has been cleverly designed for use with thick gloves. It has the same functionality as the general aid but you can use it for extreme winter sports, gardening in colder weather.

What the Customers Say

The Active Hands Company Ltd has a huge fan base with many reviews and lots of support for their quality product. Below are some examples of happy customers’ thoughts:

“I just ordered a new gripping aid after a number of years with the first.  It still works great and has allowed me to do a number of things I was in the process of giving up on (tennis, shoveling, cutting with a knife, etc.). I ordered a second right hand one because I travel with it sometimes and the thought of leaving it somewhere and having to do without it for a period of time is not a pleasant one. Thanks again for coming up with an invention that truly makes a big difference in my life.”

Bob Goodkind

“I am a big fan of active hands and every one of my clients that has grip issues has been shown how effective active hands are. They are quite simply the best tetra gloves on the market and I am very happy to recommend active hands to my clients at Prime Physio.  I am a big fan and meet people throughout the country and occasionally in Europe, I always recommend Active Hands. Active Hands can be applied easily and adapted to so many exercises, I think they are a great bit of kit.”

Andy Galbraith

MCSP MLACP, Physiotherapist, Prime Physio Specialist Therapy Centre

“My grandson has a genetic disorder generally referred to as Micro Cephaly with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy.  He cannot speak, sit up, walk or control arms but is such a warm hearted little guy who loves to ride an adaptive bike.  For some reason, his little legs work on the pedals!

When he first started riding the bike, there was no way to control his arms and hands… I came across your website one night after a pretty extensive search.

Well they work as well as I could have hoped. His movement is much more controlled, he is stronger at pedalling (which is great exercise for him).  The teachers in his school, his parents, and of course myself could not be happier.  Thank you!!”

Bob Majkrzak

Buy your Active Hands Aid

You can purchase your Active Hands Gripping Aid or Aids at The Active Hands Company Amazon Store. . This is an aid which can truly be life changing and the range of different styles ensure there is something to suit every kind of buyer. It’s a revolutionary design that so many people can benefit from and Rob Smith and his family can be proud of what they’ve created.

Other Gripping Aids on the Market

Dycem® Matting

Dycem® produce a wide range of non-slip matting in a range of shapes and styles which can be used in a number of ways, such as the Dycem Jar Opener. It can be used to hold objects in place or popped onto bottle tops and door handles to make them easier to open, turn and twist.

Gripeeze: for DIY and Gardening

Gripeze DIY Glove in position

The Gripeeze brand comes with the slogan “Get your Grip Back” and their simply yet innovative products certainly deliver this. Designed with a Velcro strap which allows for any item from spanners to hammers to be strapped securely into your grip and the leather and neoprene fabrics mean the gloves are extremely comfortable.

They’ve been designed with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) sufferers and rehabilitation of temporary loss of grip in mind but this is far from their only use and if you live with a longer term disability which effects your grip there is absolutely no reason you won’t be able to benefit from this creation. Take a look at this demonstrative video, showing how effective the Gripeeze gloves are:

Grip-Par

Grip-Par Golfing Glove

The Grip-Par range are a little more specialised and designed for keen golfers. With both and male and female ranges, the Grip-Par gloves have been ergonomically designed to cause as little disruption to your game as possible and allow you to continue with your favourite sport despite living with your disability or injury. The Grip-Par glove can both improve your control and have received recommendations from PGA coaches and professionals. They provide a unique griplocking action which allows you to comfortably grip your club without any fear. Not designed solely for those who live with disabilities, this product has gained a much wider audience yet can still be extremely liberating for the keen golfer who thought their hobby was a thing of the past.

The right gripping aid can enable so many things, from the most basic daily tasks to enjoying hobbies and sports. We hope you can find the aid which suit your needs and really think the range available is beginning to ensure there is something for everyone.

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3D Printed Products

3D printing is a revolutionary new development which has unfortunately been in the news for the wrong reasons. However when it’s looked at critically it can only be a positive move for the world’s technological and even medical industries. 3D printing can revolutionise the lives of millions of disabled people through some of its many applications.

3D: Printing the Future

The Science Museum, London has an ongoing exhibition – 3D: printing the future which looks at all the innovative ways of utilising this technology for the benefit of mankind. It showcases the power and versatility offered by 3D printing equipment and the collection includes over 600 printed objects. Some are little more than a bit of fun whilst others could genuinely be life changing.

This exhibition shows how innovative technologists and medical technicians are able to turn data into 3D printed objects which could have life changing impact. The exhibition focuses mainly on the future of modern industry, medicine and how 3D shopping could change your everyday shopping experience. Here we’re looking at some of the ways 3D printing is already being used for the benefit of people around the world.

3D Printing for Disabled People

Hundreds of disabled people have already been helped by 3D printed products. It has the potential to make the clinical, ugly assistive equipment more personalised and part of the person rather than an unmatched addition. This is only the beginning however and below we’re looking at the practical applications of 3D printing for disabled people.

3D Printed Prosthetics

The Nemours Biomedical Research facility at the Alfred duPoint Hospital for Children in Wilmington researched and developed a unique durable exoskeleton. This exoskeleton was made through 3D printing and it was able to be fitted to a child, Emma Lavelle, who had previously been unable to raise her arms or use her legs. As this video shows the WREX exoskeleton has revolutionised her life:

Further examples of the 3D printing of prosthetics can be found in Europe. An elderly woman was able to have her jaw replaced, based upon a 3D printed model of her lower mandible. The woman had unfortunately had her jaw removed due to an infection and was considered very high risk due to her age and related factors. The researchers from Belgium and Holland were able to utilise 3D printing to develop a unique jaw replacement for this lucky patient, who was able to speak and swallow normally within a single day of the operation.

3D Printed Organs

There are recorded cases where 3D printing has been used to print organs built from the patient’s own body cells. There is scope that this could revolutionise the organ donation network and whilst there are thousands of people waiting for donations another method of replacing organs really is much needed.

Using 3D printing a doctor at Wake Forest’s Regenerative Medicine Department (North Carolina) was able to develop artificial scaffolds in the shape of an organ with living cells. The department is now working towards developing printing equipment that can print these scaffolds and living cells simultaneously. The doctor in question, Dr Anthony Atala, has presented a TED Talk on the subject.

Other Applications

3D Printing for Facial Reconstruction

The benefits of 3D Printing for disabled people doesn’t necessarily have to be medical. There have been developments of an educational and entertainment based nature which strive towards inclusion. There have been developments of 3D printer equipment for mathematics and science study for the partially sighted, with graphs and data being accessible in a way that has never been possible before.

Equally others have been able to utilise 3D printing to build custom game controllers to support people living with physical disabilities and enhance their gaming experiences. Many different people have shown their home-developed game controllers simply through utilising 3D printing equipment and this is something which really could revolutionise people’s daily life.

There are 3D printed utensils designed to help people with fine motor difficulties and 3D printing is also allowing people who may not have been able to afford a prosthetic to build their own with the support of their families and friends.

Technology can be harnessed to work towards inclusivity and with 3D printing gaining steam on a daily basis it’s clear it’s something everybody should take note of.

The Science Museum London’s insightful exhibition is accessible between 10am and 6pm every day, except over Christmas, until 15^th June 2014. It gives you the chance to see this astounding technology in action and take a closer look at some of its applications.

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Mi Smarthouse Kitchen Area

At the Museum of Liverpool there’s a small, unassuming exhibition which looks like the recreation of a normal house. When you get inside you realise it has been setup with every possible gadget and gizmo to support independence. The Mi Smarthouse is a project put together by More Independent (Mi).

More Independent is a Government-funded initiative that is being piloted across four UK regions. As there website says the scheme exists to:

• enable you to take charge of your health, wellbeing and lifestyle
• use technology to allow you to feel safer and live more independently in your own home
• give peace of mind to yourself and your family
• reduce the amount of time you have to spend on appointments, by supporting you to manage better at home

The Mi Smarthouse at the museum is kitted out with a wide range of equipment covering all the key areas of the home. Here we’re taking a look at some of the gadgets they’ve highlighted and used in their perfect, accessible home.

General

These gadgets could be useful at any place in your home and can make it feel more safe and secure.

Fall Detector

Fall Detector

A fall detector can be worn around your neck and it connected to a system which will alert your carer if you do fall even if they’re not on the premises.

Large Buttons Picture Telephone

Phone keypads can be hard to use and it can also be difficult to remember phone numbers. This phone has spaces for photographs of those people you call regularly as well as large, clear numbers for when you need to dial out.

Home Safety Alert

The Mi Smarthouse has a bonus caller panic button installed by the front door, giving the residents the chance to press the button if anyone arrives at the door who they’re not comfortable with. Similar home safety alarm system can be found elsewhere too.

Supra KeySafe

Supra KeySafe

The Supra KeySafe is the UK’s first police approved key safe and is the perfect place to store your emergency keys. You choose a combination number and you can share this number only with somebody you trust implicitly.

Carbon Monoxide Sensor

Carbon monoxide can kill. It’s odourless and can’t be seen so the only way to sense it before it is too late is with a dedicated carbon monoxide sensor. Sensors can be easily installed and can save your life.

Fingerprint Lock

A fingerprint lock is a great option if you struggle with keys. You can add the details of your carer and friends as authorised ‘pad-pressers’ so they can get in and out with ease when necessary too.

Kitchen

We’ve talked regularly about the importance of gadgets to make access to the kitchen easier. It’s potentially a dangerous environment so anything to make it less so is a good invention in our book. In the Mi Smarthouse they demonstrated a range of kitchen-specific gadgets.

Talking Microwave

The controls on a microwave oven can be difficult if you have difficulties with your vision or dexterity. A Talking Microwave Oven can help guide you to the buttons you need and it will also tell you when the door is open or closed and let you know whether the food needs stirring or left to stand.

Induction Hob

An induction hob only cooks the pot upon it. There is next to no danger of being burned by it and they’re becoming a common installation in supported living environments to aid independence. This type of hob is also energy efficient and reaches top temperatures in record time. In the Mi House the hob was fitted but they can also be bought as separate electric units .

One cup Kettle

We’ve talked before about how useful the one cup kettle can be. Never worry about spilling boiling water as the kettle will dispense the exact amount you need with the simple pressing of a button.

Entertainment and Living Area

Many of these items listed below could be used all around the house but are most useful when you’re relaxing in front of the TV or lounging on the sofa.

Big Switch and Remote

Big Switch Remote

A Remote Control Big Switch can be positioned wherever you need it to avoid bending to switch off items which have plug sockets uncomfortably out of reach. The big switch can be used with any electrical appliance in the home.

Voice Recorder Switches

If speech has always been or is becoming difficult then these small voice recorder switches can be used to record key phrases. They can have messages such as ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘I want to go home’ ready recorded for when you’re home or out and about when speech has become difficult.

Chair Occupancy Alert

This item is extremely useful if you have an outside care team supporting you as it allows them to monitor the time spent out of your chair. If it seems exceptionally long they may phone you or come around the check everything is OK.

Big Jack Controller

Big Jack Multi-Controller

The Big Jack can replace all your smaller, fiddly remotes and switches. It can be programmes for a whole range of jobs and can be used to change channels on the TV, switch off lights and even use the telephone.

Personal Care

The personal care element of the home is the most private. Both the bedroom and bathroom are places where you want to maintain as much independence as possible and some of these gadgets are designed to guarantee this as well as ensure you can get the help you need, when you need it.

Epilepsy Sensor

Epilepsy Sensor

Living with any form of epilepsy or convulsions can be extremely frightening – especially if you’re alone when one occurs. This epilepsy sensor will alert an outdoor care team if a seizure is taking place, allowing them to provide the right support ASAP.

Enuresis Sensor

Enuresis Sensor

Designed to fit comfortable under the top sheet, an enuresis sensor will alert your carer to the fight signs of dampness whilst in bed – ensuring you’re not left uncomfortable for a long period of time. We have looked at these aids previously for helping children but they can be equally useful later in life.

Flood Detector

A flood detector will guarantee you never forget about another bath. It’s very easy to forget the bath is running but with the installation of a simple detector, it will be safe and you can avoid the risks of damage to your home and the even higher risk of slipping.

The Mi Smarthouse in Liverpool is one of the first examples of how all this technology can come together and successfully be used to help people remain in their own homes independently. You can take a virtual tour of the Smarthouse here. We recently visited the £D printing exhibition at the London Science Museum and will cover the potential benefits in a future post.

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Guest Post with some cool crutches ideas

from the excellent BlueBadgeStyle.com:

Trendy Mobility Aids: Sticks, Canes And Crutches For The Discerning Disabled

Skoe Crutch Wraps

A quick and simple way to glam-up your current crutches is to purchase a stylish Skoe Wrap – created from quality fabrics and available in three styles, the Skoe Wrap instantly adds personality to traditional, grey crutches! The “Midnight Sparkle” wrap is crafted from black sequins to add a little glamour for evenings out. The Skoe “Go Wild” Wrap is made from a plush, furry tiger-print fabric that is soft to the touch, and finally the “Dark Demin” Skoe Wrap is something a little more relaxed and casual, for days out or the weekend.

 

Sabi Walking Sticks

Cool coloured canes

These canes look really cool! They’re beautifully designed and look really vibrant and stylish. They come in a variety of colours and are apparently built to last a lifetime. They weigh 12-14 ounces and can support up to 250 pounds.

They’re made from a high-strength bicycle-grade aluminium shaft with a hooked birch wood handle. The handle widens in the right places and has a build in rubber strip to make it more comfortable and practical to hold. The shape of the handle also means that the user holds it directly above the tip which means they have increased stability.

The classic Sabi Cane costs around £59 plus shipping costs. They come in three sizes depending on the height of the user.

 

Luxe Premium Cane from Sabi

As well as their standard cane, Sabi have created the Tuxedo – an all black version of their walking cane due to popular demand for a more formal mobility aid. It comes in luxury packaging and the birch handle is stained to make it darker and richer. According to their website: “It is the criminally gorgeous and brooding hero. It is the reflection of a love affair.” This might be a slight overstatement but, whether you agree with that or not, you have to agree it does look very good.

The Luxe Premium cane costs around £79.

 

All the Sabi canes look fantastic!

The final form of Sabi cane is their sports cane which is ostensibly for taking out on hikes and walks. The design is largely the same but  with a matte finish rather than the brighter effect of the standard model.

It’s a fair bit lighter, weighing 10-11 oz. and has a reflective logo, for walking at night. The handle is foam rather than birch wood which makes it more suitable for providing a secure hold on long walks but also makes it a little cheaper (£37-£59 plus shipping). It’s not quite as stylish as the standard cane but it is perhaps a little more practical for some people.

Sabi Sport Cane – £39.99

All the Sabi canes look fantastic and are really creatively designed. It shows that you can do interesting things when designing walking sticks!

Arbin Crutches

Arbin Crutches are great because they are so compact. They’re retractable, so when you are using them they can put aside taking up very little space. It removes the usual problem of your crutches getting in the way and making a unattractive mess, when they aren’t being used. These crutch’s handles slide down from the cuff and up the bottom slides up from the foot of the crutch to the small size of only 67 centimetres. Once folded in it can also be stood up on the handle making it easier to reach as well as being less noticeable. It’s really practical and stylish too!

Arbin crutches also look good when they are at their full height. They’re sleek and cool and they come in bronze or grey. They’re available in the UK at Chic Aid Crutches costing £184 including postage, packaging and VAT.

Height adjustable Arbin Crutches

Arbin Crutches fold discretely away

Stylish Folding Walking Stick by Blue Badge Company

Blue Badge Company have created a collection of tasteful, stylish walking sticks that are super-compact and folding in design. Created from the highest quality aluminium and featuring a Canadian Maple Wood handle, these walking sticks are abundant in character and class.

Also available by the Blue Badge Company is a range of bags in a range of attractive prints, designed for keeping your walking stick to-hand, or allowing you to hang the stick on wheelchairs or hooks using the handy D-ring. Also ideal for keeping your handbag clean of debris and dirt that might gather on the walking stick if you chose to store it in your bag.

Luxury Blue Badge protectors can also be purchased in prints to match your walking stick bag.

Glam Sticks

If you like bling and want to make a bit of a statement with your mobility aids then Glam Sticks is the place to go. In 2011 they were named Mobility Product of the Year. They take no prisoners with their designs – covering the sticks in diamante and sparkles – making everything extravagant and shiny. Glam Sticks look to provide glitz and glamour to go along with your style. They’re particularly good fun for evenings out, providing a bit of glamour to go along with your outfit.

Glam Sticks Kaleidoscope Crutch

Kaleidescope Crutch – £57.99

Glam Sticks come in a variety of models and designs with varying prices. The amount you pay is essentially based on how ostentatious you want your stick to be or how much bling you want on your crutches. A fairly basic, but stylish, crutch costs just over £3o. At the top end you can get a Swarovski encrusted walking cane – the ultimate decadent walking stick – for £224.99.

Swarovski Walking Stick – £224.99

Jesse J at MTV awards

 

 

 

Glam Sticks have picked up something of a following amongst injured celebrities, adding to their reputation for providing glitz and glamour. For instance, when Jessie J broke her leg last year, she wore a pair of Glam Sticks to the MTV Awards, giving her the required bling to accompany her style. These aids are great for providing a bit of luxury and sparkle, especially for a night out.

Cool Crutches

Cool Crutches offer people a range of crutches with fun, patterned designs. They also have a washable, removable neoprene squidgy grip which moulds to left and right hands and makes walking a lot more comfortable. They are possibly not quite as light and sleek as some of the other crutches we’ve featured but they are fun, colourful and, well, cool!

@trabasackI have black Cool Crutches.. whoever engineered thosewas afreakin genius!

— M.W. (@MMmmwa) February 15, 2013

Most of the crutches cost £47.50 (not including VAT or shipping) but for £67.50 you can create your own custom design for them.

Polka Dots from Cool Crutches

 

Ellipse Crutches 

Nice Colour Range – £34.99

This range offers a good range of block colours which liven up the crutches without becoming too garish. This might be preferable to people who don’t want to make quite as much of a statement, with their crutches, as someone who’d go for a Glam Stick, for instance, but who want to add a splash of colour to them.

You can chose from a variety of main and secondary colours to accompany the black handle. This is good because it means you can design your own crutches to be as bright as you want.

They’re available at Chic Crutches and cost £34.99 (plus VAT and shipping)

Mobilegs

Mobilegs have created an interesting new design of crutch, using a ‘saddle’ instead of a the normal cuff at the crutch’s top. This is supposed to improve mobility, flexibility and comfort for users. They say that since it is so radically different, from traditional crutches, it can’t even be called a crutch but has been named a ‘mobi’.

Mobilegs are intelligently designed to help the user and really are quite different. They look a lot better than many traditional crutches too – certainly a lot sleeker, slimmer and less drab than NHS crutches. It’s also possible to get a ‘mobiskin’ to cover the shaft with a more distinct design.

The problem (and it’s quite a big one) is that Mobilegs are currently not available in the UK. When we got in touch with them they told us that they are still a relatively small start up company so they can only cater to the US market. However, since there might be ways around this, especially if you buy them online, we thought they were worth including. They cost $129 plus the (possibly substantial) cost of postage and shipping. We will keep you up to date should there be any change regarding UK distribution. Hopefully there will be soon!

The Mobilegs Crutch looks unique!

 

 

Intelligent Design

So that’s the end of our list of trendy mobility aids. We’ve had a variety of styles, designs and prices in there. From Sabi to Glam Sticks – hopefully there should be something for everyone in there!

If you know of any other trendy mobility aids on the market please get in touch with BlueBadgeStyle or leave a comment below

This post first appeared on BlueBadgeStyle.com

Once you have your cool crutch or glam walking stick you may also be interested in this neat gadget for holding sticks or crutches together. Check out this post on the Bridgit Crutch Holder

UPDATE : Strictly Judge shows off diamante encrusted crutches

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans may have spotted judge Craig Revel Horwood with some glitzy crutches, apparently they are actually diamante encrusted.  He had major hip surgery and rehabilitation therapy at King Edward VII Hospital in London.

 

Ice Cool Crutches: the diamante encrusted crutch showed off by Craig on ‘It Takes Two’ with Zoe Ball

 

Craig is not the only person who wants to be seen with some stylish crutches. Copyright images : BBC

 

 

The post Cool Crutches ideas, Stylish Canes and Glamorous Walking Sticks appeared first on .

Comfort and Safety in the Bathroom

Update: AXS Wingman in the running for a Mission Main Street Grant

Before reading about this fantastic product we wanted to let you know that it’s in the running for a potentially life-changing grant. The AXS Wingman is in the final running for a Chase Mission Main Street Grant where they will be awarded $250,000. The company has big plans for this kind of money and believe it will help them take the product to a larger scale – allowing it to be rolled out further afield. As a unique inclusive toilet seat design it is the kind of product the world genuinely needs. The more funding they can get the better and we’re supporting their drive for votes. You can cast your vote for them here and voting is open until November 15th.

What is a Mission Main Street Grant?

A Mission Main Street is a grant programme which sees 12 small businesses in America given a grant of $250,000. The final grant winners are decided over December and in January 2014 all winners will be notified.

To apply for the grant businesses have to be for profit and the business also has to have been actively engaged in the current business activity for a minimum of two years to the Launch Date of the program.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for AXS Wingman and you can find out more about the company below.

The AXS Wingman, A Safe Inclusive Toilet Seat

Wheelchair users who regularly do toilet seat transfers will know what a problem this can be. We were really pleased to discover this new brilliant design from the US.  It is a toilet seat with a difference, there are supports built in to the seat which make transferring from the wheelchair to the toilet much easier and safer.  The name ‘Wingman’ gives you some idea as to how it works.  It has wings!  These ‘wings’ mean that you have quite literally something to hold on to and lean on when you’re hauling yourself onto the toilet.

To see just the transfer click below:

Support on all sides for safer use with the AXS Wingman

Installing the super strong toilet seat

The Wingman can be fitted on any standard toilet in place of a normal seat  so you won’t need any special fitting equipment which will cost you extra.  No hidden costs at all.  This is a very simple, effective design that installs with a minimum of fuss and with maximum benefit to people needed to transfer.

Using a transfer wheelchair toilet seat

People who use a wheelchair regularly know how hard it is raise and lower yourself onto a standard toilet seat.  There’s not much to hold on to and it’s not great having to hook your hands around a wobbly toilet seat, especially if the toilet you’re using is in a public place.  It’s just not very hygienic to put your hands so close to the toilet bowl.  The AXS Wingman is perfect because you don’t have to put your hands as close to the actual bowl of the toilet itself, much nicer to use. The surface of the Wingman is made from material which is easier to grip and has “smoothly integrated palming surfaces”  as it’s designer describes them. This is a very well thought out bit of equipment.

Easy and safe toilet transfers

With the Wingman you can lean and hold onto the wings and at the front of the seat without worrying about breaking the seat, and for added stability too.  Twisting your body and leaning to either side isn’t such a worry, because you have something sturdy to hold on to.

The AXS Wingman wing can take the weight of 767lbs, it is a very strong toilet seat!

When you lift yourself from your chair, you can easily hold onto one or both of the wings or the shaped front of the seat and hoist yourself onto the toilet.  No more worrying about breaking the seat or falling whilst transferring.  The surface of the Wingman is made from material which is easier to grip onto as well, so this is a very well thought out bit of equipment.

Durability – a very strong toilet seat

Traditional toilet seats can end up breaking over time because of the pressures put on them.  The AXS Wingman has been tried and tested so you know you can trust it to support you even after a lot of use. If you have a wall bar in your bathroom, it makes using this toilet seat even easier as you have even more handholds. You can use this seat in whatever way you find most comfortable for you.

Designed for a need

The AXS wingman was created by inventer Stephen Cowen who saw that his 87 year old father was struggling with a traditional seat. It is being made in small batches at the moment. Seats produced are going into ‘Case and Pilot studies’.  When installing a public toilet, architects should be thinking of installing a toilet that is easiest for anyone to use, particularly in a disabled toilet. For wheelchair accessible toilets in shop or an office, this design should be added to the budget.

Unfortunately it isn’t available in the UK. As soon as it is we will let you know. The best way to keep in touch with them is via the Wingman Google + page. or via twitter @axswingman

@silverandblue Alumni Universal Design Product in six Campus locations including Events Center for ease of transfers twitter.com/AXSWINGMAN/sta…

— AXS-WINGMAN (@AXSWINGMAN) December 1, 2012

Until the Wingman is available there are  a range of seat raisers and rails available here .

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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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Meet Bridgit – The Clever and Attractive Crutch Clip

Bridgit Connecting Two Crutches

Bridgit Securing A Walking Stick to A Chair

Bridgit is a clever little device which solves the problem. Simple and straightforward, Bridgit connects together two crutches or sticks in a stable X shape so they can rested securely against any convenient surface, such as a nearby wall or table. No longer do you have to worry about causing a hazard by lying your sticks on the floor or knocking them accidentally into other people. Also, as an extremely versatile product, Bridgit can even be used with single crutches or stick to hook them securely over backs of chairs or onto hand rails so they’re out of the way but still accessible when you need them. The unnecessary stress of bending and stretching to retrieve your aids can be completely removed.

Suitable for all walking sticks and crutches between 18 and 25mm, you could even use Bridgit with the funky and fashionable foldable sticks we’ve featured previously. The Bridgit Clutch Clip is both affordable and solves a problem. If you’re looking for a safe and easy way to keep your crutches/sticks accessible and within reach but not in anybody else’s way, this is it.

Made of a durable plastic they are lightweight and easy to clip on, as well as being strong and of good quality. Designed by the same team: Such and Such Design, who created the Duo double handed cup holder and the the Strawberi Straw Holder. The prototypes of the Bridgit Crutch Holder were shown to the public at Naidex 2011 and the Mobility Roadshow last year to test public opinion and improve the design.

Grab a Crutch Holder today!

Launched at this year’s Naidex National Convention in May, Bridgit Crutch Holder is a brand new product that is fast gaining fans. If you’re interested in purchasing your own Bridgit, click the boxes below:

Bridgit was also mentioned in a review of products from Such and Such design on the Disability Horizons site:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/trabasack/status/267893236905934848″]

The full article is here http://disabilityhorizons.com/2012/11/disability-products-really-useful-things-from-such-and-such-design/

UPDATE FOR 2013

If you are looking for a new crutch or walking stick and are wondering about what are the most stylish options, check out our new post about Cool Walking Sticks.

The simplicity and ease of use of the Bridgit Walking Stick and Crutch holder makes it one of the most popular mobility aids on the market. We’ve found an excellent review that really pinpoints the usefulness of the Bridgit and how it has helped the reviewer:

“So Very Useful” review written by Patricia Farr – Rated Five Stars (February 2013)

The cane holder is such a small, insignificant item – but oh so very useful. Instead of sitting in my wheelchair hanging on to my crutch awkwardly and sometimes dropping it, it is now held securely and I have both hands free.

Bridgit Walking Stick and Crutch Holder

The Bridgit Crutch and Walking Stick holder is now available to purchase online at Amazon.co.uk. To purchase the Bridgit Stick Holder please click the button below:

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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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