Archive / Mobility Aids

Essential Items: The Bed Leaver

Some items are essential to our every day lives and are integral to ensuring we can get on without too much trouble and stress. Whilst living with a disability, the range of equipment and gadgetry used on a daily basis can be vast and there are some items which are absolutely essential to ensure a decent quality of life. One of these items is the Bed Leaver.

What is a Bed Leaver?

A Bed Leaver is probably the most well known bed grab rail that is used by both medical professionals and individuals in their own homes. They can be found in hospitals, respite centres and residential homes and as this tweet describes, they can really be an essential piece of kit:

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/WarpedWoman/status/139645293774909440″]

A Bed Leaver can help people with mobility difficulties sit up and get out of bed if necessary. With the support of a Bed Leaver, many people can feel significantly more independent and in control of their own lives. Used by both social services and medical professionals, this product has numerous recommendations behind it and the product itself is great quality.

: An example of a Bed Leaver

As the photo shows, the Bed Leaver grab rail is mounted upon high grade plywood which is designed not to split or splinter and it has a well-finished end block which looks great on the outside of your bed. The rail itself looks like any regular bed rail and the wooden finish of the end block means you bed doesn’t end up looking too clinical.

The Bed Leaver is designed specifically for divan-style beds and can be fitted to single, double or king-size beds. With a Bed Leaver grab rail you can easily get in and out of bed without struggling and you can sit up and down with ease too. Living with a mobility disability can be difficult and aids like this can support daily life and make it a little bit easier.

The Bed Leaver is recommended by occupational therapists and other medical professionals alike so if you’re looking for a grab rail for your bed, click the box below for more info:

Low-Tech Lifesavers: Long Handled Shoe Horns

The low-tech gadgets in our lives are sometimes the most important. Imagine trying to eat without a spoon or drive your car without its wheels for example. When living with disabilities, it is sometimes the most basic design which can make the most difference. Today, we’re looking at long handled shoe horns and how they can make life just that little bit easier.

Why would I need a long handled shoe horn?

A long handled shoe horn is an essential piece of kit if you need a little assistance putting on or taking off your shoes and like this tweeter says, they can be a real lifesaver:

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/Darediva/status/139440525399949312″]

An Example of a Long Handled Shoe Horn

Long handled shoe horns are a great idea for anybody who suffers from any sort of joint condition, chronic pain or difficulty bending over. It’s the extra helping hand you need sometimes when you need to get yourself into your shoes and also, after a long day at work or leisure, taking them off again. This informational video shows exactly how one particular brand of long handled shoe horn works:

Once you own a long handled shoe horn, you will wonder how you managed without it and it’s a great way of adding an extra element of independence to your daily routine. Once you’ve worked out the knack of using your shoe horn, you’ll be able to slip in and out of your shoes with ease.

There are a range of different long handled shoe horns on the market, traditional “jockey” style shoe horns are embellished with lots of extras that can make them harder to use so it’s a good idea to look in depth at the product you choose. The price range varies from product to product but you can get a great quality, functional long handled shoe horn for a reasonable price no trouble.

To purchase a long-handled shoe horn, or for further info, please click here to visit the Disability Horizons store.

Something Different: Unique Blue Badge Holders

Every now and again we come across a product which we really rate for its individuality. These blue badge holders are one such

Multi Terrain Camo patterned Blue Badge Holder

product. We first saw the new Blue Badge Company exhibiting at Naidex South 2011, and we were really impressed by the quality, range and bright colours available.

The Blue Badge Company

The Blue Badge Company was launched in 2010 by designer Camilla Hall, who didn’t like the ordinary, plain and awkward-to-use Blue badge wallets that were available.

She wanted to create something that reflected the user’s individual style, that they would be comfortable using every day.

Creating a new format she found specially tested acetate windows that allow the Badge and timer permit to be displayed clearly & legally.

Finally, here is a product which allows for a bit of style and funkiness to jazz up a blue badge!

The exotic Fire Cracker Blue Badge Holder design

These blue badge holders and parking display wallets come in a wide range of patterns and styles. Produced by the Blue Badge Company, you can be assured of their quality and they’re much more stylish than the traditional blue badge holders or disability parking badge wallets that we have seen available. Made in Britain, in fact, hand made in a workshop in Bristol, they use fully UK sourced materials. These wallets are designed to provide Blue Badge holders with an practical but stylish item which can express their own individuality instead of looking clinical and boring. There are a massive EIGHTY designs to choose from and from seeing the range on their impressive show stand, we think almost every taste is covered, from Pink PVC to suede! They make an absolutely awesome gift for a friend or relative who uses a Blue Badge.

Fabrics range from the girly Cath Kidston inspired Cathy to the more traditional Westwood and many more besides. You can get almost any design you can think of from the very popular purple Chinese silk to Army camouflage and anyone who has a disabled badge will be happy with their new product.

If you’re interested in buying one of these great Blue Badge Holders, click here to view the leather and patterned fabric ranges available from the Disability Horizons store.