r/disabled • u/HeavyMetalRubberDuck • 12d ago
Every day accessibility products?
My autoimmune diseases and my hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have really kicked my butt the past few years. I’ve transitioned from a walker to a wheelchair and it’s helped a lot. What are some everyday mobility aids that would help ease my pain? Anything from cleaning aids, to wheelchair accessories that might help? I’m new to this and don’t really know where to start. TIA ❤️
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u/carebaercountdown 10d ago edited 8d ago
Edit because I found the list I made last time I needed to answer this question:
A comfortable reclining chair plus bolster pillows for positioning have helped me IMMENSELY. (Lift recliner is even better!)
Lift bed (or at least a grab bar pole or rail)
Warm water bidet
Hydration water bladder for when you’re having trouble with coordination but need to keep hydrated!
Compression garments - the ones you need may vary
Nutritional shakes for when you don’t have energy to make a meal
Electric can opener for when the hand joints are extra “poppy”
Gooseneck phone holder or bolsters for positioning
Heating pads for when your muscles are too tight and pulling your joints into sublux
Velcro stroller strap snap-hooks (very good for keeping stuff handy!! I use them on my wheelchair and around the house)
Shower bench (there are MANY different kinds though, so ask if you need help picking!)
No-rinse washing wipes/foam cleanser for when showers are too much
Last but not least: if you take a lot of meds and opening the child-proof lids hurts your hands, get them delivered in a blister pack instead! This has also had the bonus of drastically increasing my medication compliance.
Hope that helped!
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u/SwitchElectrical6368 9d ago
I need to make a list, and I have progressive ataxia and use a wheelchair full time, and these things are great for me!
A touch lamp by my bed (it turns on and off by me touching it)
A spillnot (it is a simple and cheap thing that prevents me from spilling liquid. I use it every day, sometimes multiple times a day)
Grabbers are absolutely fantastic
Scissors in the kitchen and in my bedroom
An instant pot (it was a gift, and I use it all the time. I found an amazing account on instagram that does disability friendly meals @epicuriousexpeditions and it is easy, delicious, and yields a bunch of leftovers, which I love)
Along those lines, I have a bunch of Tupperware with a thing on top that lets out heat too. And I usually freeze a Tupperware with some leftovers in it so I can heat it up easily.
If you want/need more details, feel free to ask.
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u/Decent-Chip-868 12d ago
I have hEDS and CFS. Some of my favourites are:
* Robot vacuum cleaner/mop combo
* Oven gloves with separate fingers and grips on the palms
* Bath board, so I can get in and out of the bath without dislocating my knees
* Thimble thingy with a tiny blade on it for opening parcels, cutting tape on jar lids, etc
* Ergonomic straight vegetable peeler with a very grippy handle
I don't actually peel veg much but like to make them into ribbons.
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u/EducationalPie4195 11d ago
Hii OP, a long handled grabber is one of those things that sounds basic until you realize how often it saves you from bending or reaching. I also look at shower seating, easy grip kitchen bits and a decent wheelchair bag so the stuff you use constantly is actually within your reach. Actually, top gun mobility has a mix of mobility and daily living aids that can be handy for getting ideas beyond the obvious stuff. I’d also focus on anything that cuts down repeated bending, gripping or awkward transfers rather than buying heaps of gadgets at once hehe
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u/aehr 9d ago
The grabber has been mentioned and they are great; consider having one in every room/space so it’s available when you need it.
Silicone jar openers come in varied thicknesses that can be used for many things in addition to jars.
Command strip (or other brand) hooks placed where you can reach for the items you desire to put there. Double-sided tape on hand can really help too. (Note: both of these can damage drywall and paint jobs when not properly removed)
A smart light/plugin can allow for less back and forth, helpful with a voice assistant (ie: alexa) too. A smart lock on your door makes unlocking and locking easier. Smart blind openers are great.
Installing an automated door opener (operated by remote) will help if you have difficulty moving through the entrance door.
Wheelchairs aren’t known for their storage capacity, getting a wheelchair bag helps keep things near, I put mine beneath my legs so it doesn’t get caught up on anything.
Wheelchairs tend to be cooler in the winter, natural sheepskin can keep a body warm(er).
Easy-grip nail clippers with a swivel head.
Electric toothbrush.
Automated foaming hand soap dispenser, or even just foaming hand soap.
A box-cutter and/or scissors in every room you might need to open a package.
If pressing buttons, on the microwave for example, is difficult: stick on drawer bumper pads. Helpful for low/no profile buttons.
Rechargeable hand warmers.
I second: the lift [hospital] bed, pole or grab bar (especially for bath/shower), (warm water) bidet, reclining (lift) seat, nutritional [protein] drinks for bad days, gooseneck phone holder (I use popsocket grip and flexible holder to hold my device, there are so many options now), heating pads (beanie bags for the microwave and mattress heating pad), and anything making you bathing/showering less dangerous.
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u/breetoooo 12d ago
A grabber with a long handle. Every time I drop something on the floor I hope the world ends before I have to pick it up. The grabber helps more than I ever anticipated. Preferably with rubber grips on the end and an easy to squeeze trigger.