Tips for Crips

[criptips]

Pinned Post

This blog is still being set up, the plan is to consolidate lots of different resources as well as create some original posts about living life while disabled, most likely with an added focus on adulting, submissions and asks are open.

Tagging system is below the cut, tags aren't currently linked or explained as I'm still deciding on stuff, this will be updated later

Tagging System

#disability

#physical disability

#crutches

#cane

#wheelchair

#mobility aid

#adulting

#masterpost

#benefits

#healthcare

[chariot-titan]

How to make a joystick cover out of a rubber duck or similar rubber animal

Hey everyone! One of my favorite ways to customize my powerchair is to make joystick toppers. Here is a tutorial on the way I consider the easiest

You will need:

A pair of scissors

Rubber animal of your choice (I get mine from claw machines, a lot of restaurants and arcades have ones that are play ‘till you win with these)

Optionally is an exacto knife or similar tool, it makes the first cuts easier but it is doable with scissors

Step 1:

On the bottom of your rubber animal you will see a small hole, around that hole make three short cuts in a triangle pattern

Step 2: connect those cuts to each other making a larger hole by trimming off the rubber between them. Depending on the thickness of your joystick you can make it smaller or larger to fit.

Step 3: line up the hole in the animal with the head of the joystick, if it is the right size it should slide on easily but not be too loose.

Visuals included below and the final product (the one I have on right now)

[dustbunnyaac]

Benefits Organization Tools

This is a masterpost of tools I use to organize my benefits applications, including applications for cash benefits, SS(D)I, home aid, and long term rental assistance.

ID: Two photos of the same Phone Message Book. The first is of the cover, orange and blue, with the title Phone Message Book. The second image is of a partially filled page with several fields blurred for privacy. The book has four slips to record phone calls on the page. They have spots for who the call was for, the date, the time, the name and organization of the caller, their phone and cell numbers, their message, and check boxes for telephoned, returned your call, please call, will call again, came to see you, and wants to see you. End ID.

This is my phone message book which I use to record when I get phone calls, what they were about, and who they were with. I am trying to get better with it since I also want to record which specific worker called and their extensions but that is very hard!

It helps with my brain fog because I can see exactly when and why I was called. It allows me to reliably report when I was called, what about, by who. It also lets me tell how long it's been since the call for call back. All of them are doubled on the next page and tear away.

ID: A large vertical whiteboard with several words blurred for privacy. It has charts on it, each with for sections, Desired, Scheduled, Obtained, and Submitted. The four charts are labeled SSDI docs, RFC Forms, Records, and Misc Documents. Beneath it is a label for Ongoing Medical, and Open Referrals, both of which have several listed items beneath them. End ID.

This is my document whiteboard. I use it to track what documents I need. I also use it to track what ongoing processes I am in, both medical and benefits related, as well as Open Referrals (referrals that I haven't gotten the medical treatment for).

It helps me keep track of my goals, where each form is at and what stages I am in, and it also helps me figure out if I need to reach out about a referral. For example my EEG was scheduled over a year ago - I really need to reach out about that one! Or ask my care manager to help me out with it :)

ID: A white box with hanging folders in it. There are sticky notes to label each folder. The sticky notes read Submission Receipts, SSDI Corrospondence, Letters + RFCs, Misc Benefits Proof, Misc Med Documents, ER Visits, Bills + Expenses, Proof of Income and lack of it, Commonly Needed, and Letters for Appointments. End ID.

I use a document box to contain and label all documents that I commonly need for appointments. I also have my Blue Binder with document sleeves so I can easily pack them up per appointment :)

ID: Two cropped bullet journal pages with charts on them. The first lists documents on the first column, and then has blank boxes to check off. The top row lists each column as Obtained, Printed, Scanned, and Submitted. The second one has most of the first column censored for privacy, with the visible labels for Mental RFC and Physical RFC. Each column for checking off is labeled as Requested, Personal Sample Made, Blue Book Summary, Form Rules Summary, Sent to Provider, Received from Provider, Online Submission, Faxed Submission, and Mailed Submission. End ID.

These are the charts I use for smaller steps to break down the tasks and make them easier. I also love to use bullet journals and markers day to day which makes these extra helpful :) making a task easier and more fun is a great way to get yourself to do it more and faster, plus breaking it into smaller steps.

[mountaincripple]

there are disability aids for literally everything…. and that includes intimacy!!

its very important to me that you know this!!!

here are just a few examples:

18 and over post pls <3

first my credentials: i’m physically disabled (wheelchair user, chronic pain, spasms in extremities, muscle weakness, numbness and atrophy in all limbs, seizures, etc) i’m an ex SW and i used to work at an adult store (trying to get rehired again pray for me pls)

pillow forms:

my fave is the liberator wedge, but there’s a lot of shapes. can be used in a variety of ways to ease strain.

hand harnesses:

extremely helpful if you can’t grip for long periods of time. just like regular harnesses, you can fit it with a toy and use it on yourself or a partner.

hands free toy holder:

suuuper helpful if you can’t grip at all/if you’re like me and can’t stop your hands and arms from doing as they please. can be used on yourself or a partner.

intimacy chairs:

usually used by people with paralysis but also helpful for profound muscle weakness and if you can’t hold yourself up/produce motion reliably

sleeves:

generally most useful if you have a penis, fantastic if you don’t have steady hand motion but can grip semi reliably.

mount/toy mount:

these have a ton of variety. you can get ones that are a pillow with a spot for a toy, or ones that act more as a sling for your body (and can be used with toys or partners)

and remember these are only a couple! if you are disabled and struggling to be intimate in any way, there is a tool out there that may very well help you!!!

[criptips]

I always got an energy drink with me, so I put a cupholder on my crutches but it … dont work too well. If it’s too full, it splashes just from the rocking motion, especially if it’s farther down.

Yall got any advice? I’m real accustomed to working with my hands so I can make something custom, I’m just . Out of ideas

Multiple ways you could go about this

splash proof can lid/covers for if you want to stick to the cup holder solution.

but if you, like me, find that having the can attached to your crutch messes with the balancing of the crutches. i would suggest looking at either like. cargo pants with big pockets that a can could fit into.

or a water bottle bag. you can get generic ones quite cheaply from various places like the first one pictured below, but there's also some really cute ones (with extra functionality as well) on etsy like the second one pictured below that is from artisxan, or i've actually had this pattern on etsy by SewingilgiPatterns (third picture) saved for ages that i've been meaning to make for the express purpose of water bottle carriage.

[a-totally-reasonable-username]

My smart crutches finally came! I really want to decorate them but i don't know how. Any suggestions i've come across are usually a bit too... cutesy? I think they look awesome but it doesn't fit my style. Does anyone have any ideas?

[wonky-joints]

this post reminded me that i was working on creating a printable template for covering the smartcrutch branded wrap on the main cuff about a year ago, so even though i no longer use my smart crutches i went n pulled em out and actually finished getting all the dimensions close enough to work and i now present to thee the easy ability to design your own cuff design if you have access to a printer (and tbh even if you don't you could probably draft it up on paper with pencil without too much difficulty)

wonky-joints' smartcrutch cuff sticker template

available as pdf, svg, and png (each format is linked to the file of that format)

Instructions for use is fairly basic, the PDF or SVG format is the most ideal to use as the PNG may not print the right size. You can either digitally design over the template or go straight to printing the template out and designing on paper. Then it's just a case of carefully cutting it out (it's easier with a craft knife but you can make do with scissors) and affixing it over the existing sticker.

Depending in how invested you are and what you have access to, you could make do with glue and regular printer paper (and maybe apply modpodge or something similar over it if you want some waterproofing) but you could also buy some inkject printable vinyl sticker paper and use that.

I didn't cut it perfectly so it looks a bit wonky in my photos below, but;

---

in addition to doing whatever design you want (and being able to change out designs in future if you wanted), another thing you could look at that I did do when I used mine, is you can get a bicycle bag and attach it to the smart crutches fairly easily (or you can pay like twice the price for the smart crutch branded bag that is functionally more or less the same), it made my life a lot easier to carry light items in, and you could also absolutely put pins and other things onto the bag itself

[stitchposts]

actually. genuine question. i've kinda wanted to get into sewing and embroidery (i know they're separate things but they're both cool) for a while now. however, i don't have the dexterity for such minute movements. i never have. my hand also shakes marginally, but enough to notice with fine details like that. i've always just accepted i probably can't do these things and that's fine, but, do you have any suggestions?

No worries. Hoop stand is still the answer. As I mentioned in another post I made a friend get a clamp (shaped like a whimsical bird) to assist in hand sewing previously. It's helped his ability to work on his projects. It functions like a clamp embroidery stand, just instead of holding a hoop it clamps onto the end of his working fabric.

Mobility aids or ergonomic tools, whatever they're called in this context, really allow you to focus on the task without the like. Sub tasks there and present - When you don't have to balance your material you're stitching on it's a lot easier to focus and work with the movements involved. My understanding from talking to older members of the embroidery community and other embroiderers here on tumblr is that stands help with hand tremors in the same way that they help with hypermobility issues and RSI pain/arthritis due to removing the sub tasks involved with the motions of sewing.

[wishful-seeker]

Please tell me your favorite wheelchair accessories, whether they are practical or just look nice.

Examples: handle bar spikes, cup holders (what kind preferably?), cool patches with cripple punk phrases or motifs, decorations to go on wheels, ect.

If you have any brands, styles, or phrases/designs (like patches and stickers), please tell me! Maybe even certain etsy shops. Getting a new chair soon :)

[criptips]

Disclaimer: I am not currently an active wheelchair user, this post is based mainly off recommendations from and discussions with wheelchair users.

Jansport's Central Adaptive Backpacks and Crossbody Bags are designed for various use cases, including attaching to wheelchairs. Jansport is also generally very good about honouring their lifetime warranty.

I do not have specific brand recommendations for spoke decorations, however I will say, aside from spoke guards, (last photo), there is a lot more variety/options if you search for bicycle spoke wraps/beads/decorations than specifically for wheelchairs, and as long as the relevant sizes are correct they should still work.

Again, no specific brand recommendations, but push rim covers are both an opportunity to add some extra colour/flair as well as make it easier to grip and self propel.

I went into writing this post wanting to put a lot more than this but my energy levels are dipping so this is it for now. I will likely self reblog with more later if I get the chance.

[disabilityaidpositivity]

Friendly reminder to check the feet/tips on your canes and crutches; do they need to be replaced?

Also, don't forget to check the feet of your shower chair/stool occasionally ✌️

[trans-axolotl]

faq: getting arrested in the US as a wheelchair user

i've been having a lot of conversations with wheelchair users new to protesting lately, and many people have questions about what to expect if you're risking arrest. disclaimer that this isn't legal advice, a lot of this will vary based on where you live, and cops rarely bother to follow their own departmental policies.

1. How do cops transport wheelchair users to jail?

Depends on the police department, the type of wheelchair you have, and whether you're ambulatory. The ADA does not specify that we have a right to be transported in a wheelchair van--examples from ADA resources just state that "Officers should use caution not to harm an individual or damage his or her wheelchair."

In practice, this might mean:

Cops lift you out of your wheelchair, handcuff you, and put you in the back of a regular patrol car. They fold up your wheelchair and put it in the back of the car.

Cops have a specific patrol van with a wheelchair lift and transit securement system. You can often find this information listed in police policy if you search for your city's police department and "prisoner transport van wheelchair." Keywords often include Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) or Prisoner Disabled Accessible Van (PDAV).

Cops have a contract with an external company (often local public transit, sometimes a private company) to call for one of their wheelchair accessible vans to use as a transport vehicle.

Cops make you transfer or ambulate into the patrol car and then just leave your wheelchair on the side of the road.

2. Will I be taken to a architecturally accessible jail?

Depends on the police department, but probably not. All that ADA resources specify is that wheelchair users "must have access to the toilet facilities and other amenities," at the jail we're taken to. When I've been arrested, I've been held in an "ADA compliant cell" which featured a very narrow toilet with no grab bars that I know for a fact would have been impossible to transfer to for most of my friends who use power chairs. There seems to be very little enforcement when it comes to architectural access.

Relevant info is that police departments will often have one specific jail that they always transport disabled prisoners to in your city. You can usually find this information in prisoner transport policies that are often posted publicly on police department websites. This can be important information to know, especially in the cases of mass arrests at protests, where wheelchair users might get separated from the rest of our comrades and taken to a completely different holding area.

3. Will cops let me stay in my wheelchair in jail?

Depends on the police department. Some police departments will let you stay in your chair, some might make you take off any removable parts (cushion/footrests/sideguards/etc) and then let you stay in it, some might make you transfer to a basic wheelchair that the jail supplies, some might leave you in a cell without access to any mobility aids. My comrades and I have experienced all of those scenarios while getting arrested.

4. How can I try to protect my rights while being arrested?

Unfortunately, there's not always a ton that can be done in the moment--knowing that we have rights under the ADA doesn't mean that we can get cops to take that seriously.

But if you're familiar with local cop policies and your rights under the ADA, it can sometimes be helpful to verbalize what policies are not being followed in the moment, especially if cops have cameras on. Saying things like "I am not resisting arrest, I am a wheelchair user and cannot walk/disperse/get on the sidewalk/etc," can be helpful for trying to fight charges later on.

Memorize your local legal support hotline/NLG chapter and do not answer any questions or offer any information to cops without a lawyer.

After you're out, your local Protection and Advocacy organization for your state might be able to help you make a formal complaint or sue the police department for disability discrimination.

5. Other things to keep in mind:

Cops are fucking bastards and getting arrested as a wheelchair user can be really scary! It's even scarier when no one in your community knows how to prepare, what to expect, or how to support you afterwards.

It's super important for protest buddies, affinity groups, and local jail support organizations to know this kind of information before a wheelchair user gets arrested. More people being able to recognize PDAVs on sight can help wheelchair users get advanced warning if cops are specifically preparing to target us for arrest at a protest. Knowing which specific jail wheelchair users are taken to before a mass arrest means that lawyers won't have to scramble last minute to track down wheelchair users that get separated in the system.

Even if you're not a wheelchair user and you think that there aren't any wheelchair users protesting with you, PLEASE make sure you know this information, especially if you do "know your rights" trainings or are a legal observer.

feel free to send any other questions in regards to getting arrested with mobility aids my way and I'll do my best to answer!

[tiredsn0w]

Summer reminder to any blind/ VI people in the northern hemisphere -- Hot temperatures and UV exposure can degrade adhesive, and make it not work properly.

If you use bump dot stickers, try to limit their exposure to sunlight, or they could start to slip around when pressed, and won't be in the proper spot anymore.

If the stickers already started degrading, remove them and scrub off the remaining adhesive before applying new ones. I find that isopropyl alcohol tends to work well for this, and it might be easier to get packets of alcohol wipes.

Good luck, and I hope you can enjoy the summer weather in whatever way you do !

[sniffanimal]

i can't remember if I've ever shared askjan.org before so I'm sharing it now! JAN is the Job Accommodation Network, and it's super useful not only in my work (accommodating students with disabilities) but in my day to day life as a disabled person. I can search by my diagnosis, or my symptom, or the situation I am finding difficulty in and it suggests different accommodations for each category. It's super robust. All of the accommodations on it could be considered reasonable for workplaces as well, if you need help at work. Check it out, click around, see the different lists and how it's organized! Of course it's workplace-focused but everything is still relevant whether you're working or not!

[disabilityaidpositivity]

Friendly reminder to check the tips/feet of your canes and crutches; do they need to be replaced soon?

[toothtalk]

a neurodivergent spoonie's guide to having teeth

this is as close to a comprehensive guide to dental care as i can make. i'm autistic/adhd/ocd/chronically ill and i've worked in dentistry for several years. i want to use my knowledge to help other spoonies struggling with dental care. i know it can be really hard, but dental health is so important and we deserve healthy mouths just as much as NT/abled folks!!

being neurodivergent and/or chronically ill can make personal care tasks incredibly difficult. so many of us struggle with washing our hair, getting dressed, and cleaning up. but remember: hair will grow back if it's damaged, clothes can be washed when they smell bad, and a dirty house can be made clean again, but we only have one set of teeth to last our whole lives. those pearly whites are worth taking care of!

these tips are based on feedback/questions i've gotten from ND folks on tumblr and facebook, patients at the practices i've worked in, and my own experience. standard disclaimer that this information will not be applicable to every single person, just take what works for you and pass the rest on to the next person. i am also a resource for further information. this is going to be pretty rapidfire, so if you want me to elaborate on anything or have a question about something i didn't address in this post, my askbox is open and anon is enabled. i love talking about teeth and i would love to help my fellow spoonies take care of theirs!

without further ado:

on homecare:

any dental professional will tell you that having good oral health starts at home. taking care of our teeth can be incredibly difficult when our spoons are low, so i've made a list of strategies to make it easier.

best practice is to brush twice per day and floss once per day. this may not be realistic for those of us who struggle with habits and/or executive dysfunction. if you can only remember to brush once per day, brushing at night is the most important.

the ideal order of operations is floss, tongue scrape, mouthwash, then brush. but flossing and brushing are the most important steps in the routine.

brushing your teeth in the shower is perfectly acceptable! personally, i keep one toothbrush in the shower and one on the sink to maximize my opportunities to brush.

if you don't have the energy to floss, a toothbrush with fine bristles like this one is a good compromise.

you should replace your toothbrush or electric brush head every three months. the bristles get worn down and become less effective over time. set a recurring event on your phone calendar to keep track!

if you find it difficult to brush your teeth at all, use a washcloth to gently scrub your teeth until you feel that you've gotten the film off, then use a fluoride mouthwash. they also make single-use waterless toothbrushes like these. i like to keep them on my nightstand for really bad days when i can't even get myself to the bathroom to brush.

this is an excellent guide on proper brushing technique.

an electric toothbrush is an excellent investment. even a cheap one at the grocery store is a huge step above a manual toothbrush. personally, i love quip because they're more affordable than brands like sonicare, and they send you replacement brush heads on a regular basis.

be careful not to brush too aggressively; your brush should glide gently over the surface of your teeth. if you feel a lot of friction, lighten your pressure. brushing too hard can wear away your enamel and damage your gums.

if the mint flavor in toothpaste triggers sensory discomfort, try kids' toothpaste! it has less fluoride than adult toothpaste, but it's still miles better than not brushing at all.

mouthwash is used to neutralize bacteria on soft tissues. use an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash for healthy gums and strong enamel. listerine original is the best, but they have lots of varieties including gum health, alcohol-free, and many more.

whenever possible, use a straw to drink soda or coffee so it doesn't touch your teeth, and rinse with water after you drink it. try to not sip sugary drinks throughout the day. switching to sugar-free beverages will make a huge difference in cavity prevention.

if you have any gaps between teeth, an interdental brush will help you keep the areas between those teeth clean and prevent decay.

i like to keep a package of floss picks in the living room so that i can floss while i watch tv. the best time to floss is right before you brush your teeth, but there is no bad time to floss.

this video shows proper flossing technique. this video shows proper technique when using floss picks.

dry mouth is a lesser-known cause of cavities. saliva protects your teeth from decay, so when you don't produce enough of it, you're at higher risk. dry mouth rinses like this one are a great defense against this!

remember, something is always better than nothing. brushing once a day is better than not brushing at all. flossing once a week is better than not flossing at all. be gentle with yourself.

on finding a dental provider:

finding a new provider and making an appointment can be confusing and overwhelming when we have low executive function. there are some ways to make it just a bit easier.

if you have insurance, they likely have a tool on their website to find providers in your network. you can usually find this information on your insurance card. this should narrow down your options considerably.

the absolute best thing you can do is find a supportive provider who you can open up to about your struggles with dental care. look up your options on google reviews and ctrl+f "anxiety". if these anxious patients have a good experience, it's more likely you will too.

you can ask for recommendations in your local community's facebook group or subreddit, both of which offer anonymity. specify your needs in your post. chances are, other people in your community have similar needs, and can help you find the right people to meet those needs.

a few people expressed that they avoid the dentist because of a family history of poor dental health, and the fear of having the same problems. i want to assure you that, while dental health does have a genetic component, it is far from the only factor. the most effective thing you can do to prevent dental issues is to go in for regular maintenance. prevention is the gold standard in dentistry.

a lot of us struggle with making phone calls. luckily, it's becoming increasingly common for practices to allow online booking and communication via email. look for these options on a practice's website!

if fear or executive dysfunction is getting in your way, phone a friend for help. sometimes things that are hard for us aren't as difficult for others. maybe your roommate can call the office for you. maybe your sister can drive you to your appointment. don't be afraid to lean on your village.

in the dental office:

a big issue with dental offices is that they are basically a sensory nightmare. while it's never going to be fully comfortable, there are some things you can do to make your experience more tolerable.

be open and honest with your dental providers. if you smoke, tell them (this includes cannabis; they cannot report you for cannabis use even if you're not in a legal state). if you've never flossed before, tell them. their job is to help you, not shame you. if a provider makes you feel ashamed, stop seeing them.

so many people have mentioned they're embarrassed about their anxiety and sensory struggles in the dental office. let me assure you that your providers see so many anxious patients every single day. they're used to it, and they're not going to be judging you. to help illustrate this, i'm going to cite some examples of patients from my practice and the ways we help them manage their anxiety and sensory struggles.

probably the most common concern among patients in our practice is a fear of the numbing injection. i have a pretty severe phobia of needles myself. our dental assistants are well-trained to manage this fear. they distract patients during the shot, and help them breathe through the anxiety before and after. this training is part of the dental assistant certification process, so it should be relatively universal.

you can bring a comfort item with you. be it a stuffed animal, a video game, a book, even a comforting person who can sit with you.

you know that lead vest that they lay on you when they take xrays? you can ask to wear that during your whole visit. it acts like a weighted blanket and it feels so nice and comforting. we have a few patients who do this at my practice.

headphones or earplugs are a lifesaver to drown out all the horrible sounds. i literally refuse to get a cleaning without them. there's even a hygienist at my practice that wears earplugs while she's working because the sound of the cavitron bothers her. there's no shame in it whatsoever.

if your practice offers it, nitrous oxide is a great option for anxiety. most people know it as laughing gas. it puts you in a dreamlike state so you're more or less unaware of what's going on. no joke, this stuff had me so relaxed i fully fell asleep while getting a root canal. you can even get it when you get your cleanings!

a lot of our patients request a specific doctor, dental assistant, and hygienist for their appointments. this is incredibly common. if you find someone that makes you feel safe, let the scheduling staff know that you'd like to see that person each time you come in.

dress comfy. there's no dress code for the dental office; show up in sweatpants if you want.

remember at the end of the day, your dental providers are not there to judge you if you don't have perfect homecare. their ultimate goal is to get your mouth healthy no matter your starting place. i can't speak for every dentist obviously, but the dentists at my practice are incredibly patient and sympathetic and have nothing but their patients' best interests in mind.

again: if you feel disrespected or shamed by your provider, find a new one who will be compassionate with you. you don't owe any provider loyalty, even if you've been going there since you were a toddler.

on recovery:

one of the hardest things to do is build healthy habits when you're starting from an unhealthy place. if you're dealing with poor dental health, getting your mouth healthy again can seem impossibly daunting. i'm here to tell you it is possible, but it takes work.

it starts in the dental chair. your provider should communicate what treatment is the highest priority, and they will start there. rather than overwhelming yourself with the big picture, focus your attention on the next step.

things like root canals, crowns, and periodontal treatment can be very expensive. unfortunately, in the united states at least, dental insurance is quite lacking across the board. if expenses are a concern, dental schools are a great option for having treatment done at a low cost. keep in mind that treatment will often take significantly longer due to the dentists being supervised students.

my job in the practice is treatment coordinator. this means that i work one-on-one with my patients to help them understand their treatment plans and make the process as easy and comfortable as possible for them. ask your practice if they have a treatment coordinator. if they don't, suggest that they create the role, and reach out to me here. my dream is to be able to help people manage their oral health. i will be a resource to anyone that doesn't have a treatment coordinator available to help you navigate your course of treatment.

any restorative work (fillings, crowns, etc.) that you have done has to be cared for, just like virgin teeth. cavities can still form underneath fillings and crowns. make sure you are keeping your regular hygiene appointments, and use the above strategies to effectively care for your restorations at home.

if you have a lot of treatment to work through, it may take a long time. we have patients that have spent 2-3 years working through their treatment plans with us. this can feel daunting and depressing. but remember, it's not forever. the majority of these patients who continue to see us for regular visits only have 1-2 new cavities at a time, if anything, once we finish their initial work.

there are very few dental problems that cannot be fixed. cavities can be filled, crowns placed, root canals done to save teeth that are severely decayed. gum disease cannot be cured, but it can be very effectively managed. i see patients all the time that come in expecting to lose all their teeth and need dentures, only to be relieved when we tell them only a few teeth are truly not restorable.

my job revolves around patient education, and it's always shocking to me how little we are taught about caring for our teeth. please be kind to yourselves; it is NOT your fault for not knowing or having the resources to take care of them yourself. once again, my askbox is open and anon is enabled if you have more questions after reading this guide.

[wonky-joints]

This is an incredibly great post, as someone who is only recently starting to improve their oral health, I want to emphasise how great an electric toothbrush is. Not just because they're far more effective in cleaning, but also I've realised part of my issues with brushing came with the amount of force/energy/repetitive motion it took to feel like I was sufficiently brushing with a manual toothbrush, which was causing me pain in my wrists and making it overall an unpleasant experience. Having swapped to an electric toothbrush it's so much easier now and results in a lot less pain.

I also recently went to the dentist for the first time in almost 10 years, having had terrible dental hygiene my entire life, and it was actually not a horrible experience, and the dentist was really nice and even said I was being too hard on myself and that my teeth aren't that bad.

[unwell-radio-transmissions]

Realistic ways of staying clean as a disabled adult

[Plain text: realistic ways of staying clean as a disabled adult.]

(TL;DR/Simplified version at the end of the post.)

See many posts share positivity and affirmation about different levels of hygiene and struggles with hygiene.

Want share realistic examples of how I keep clean as a disabled and autistic adult. (LSN (low support needs), physically disabled).

I've ordered these based on which is most energy and sensory intensive for me personally, but your own needs could make these vary.

1. Cleansing wipes/baby wipes/makeup wipes: All essentially the same product with different names. I use these during the day to keep fresh, especially areas that need cleaning more often. I keep a pack on my bathroom sink so they're visible and easily accessible. If it's particularly warm or it's been a few days without a more thorough bathing, I'll use these for my whole body in lou of that. I also do my best to remember to use these to wash my face daily.

2. Washing my hair in the sink: The biggest sensory struggle I have with being unclean is my hair and scalp. The least intensive way I have of washing my hair is doing so in the bathroom sink. I use a shower chair propped up to the height where I can comfortably lean my head into the basin. I then use the facet and a plastic jug to pour water over my hair. I have a towel over the from the the sink/vanity and sometimes my shoulders to catch any spilled water. Starting with shampoo and then conditioner, I lather and rinse my hair. I use shampoo first because it strips the oils from my hair, reducing some of the bad sensory. This was if I can only manage the shampoo and not the conditioner, my hair will stay clean for longer. This isn't the most healthy for your hair but it's what I do based on my needs.

3. Sponge bath: I fill the sink with water and use a flannel to wipe down my body. You could also use a sponge. I then lather a body/shower gel into the flannel and use it to clean myself. I then rinse out the flannel and using clean water, wipe off any soap on me.

4. Shallow bath: I fill a very shallow bath, so that it covers maybe half my legs when I sit down. Then using a plastic jug I bathe how I normally would. Sometimes this means just washing my hair, sometimes it includes part or all of my body. It depends on what is necessary and what you can tolerate. I keep a hand towel within reach so I can quickly dry off any areas that get wet that I don't want to be.

5. Regular bath: Same as above, only using a bath filled to whatever you consider a regular level, usually around torso level when sitting, or underwater when laying down.

6. Showering with a shower chair: Self explanatory. Shower how you usually would but with the aid of a shower chair. Chairs from medical supply stores are usually higher quality but much more expensive. I got mine from a big box hardware store.

General advice: - Warm water is much more likely to worsen or trigger issues with heart rate, blood pressure and temperature regulation. If these are issues for you consider bathing with lukewarm or cool water instead. - Be mindful of your sensory environment. Use dim lighting, choose soaps or shampoos with fragrances that appeal to you (or fragrance free versions), put on music or a youtube video. - You don't have to make bathing more difficult than it needs to be based on an abled standard. Use that shower chair, that sponge on a stick, that seseme street branded shampoo. - Consider a visual schedule if the steps involved with bathing are confusing or hard to remember.

TL;DR: Ways to say clean: 1. Cleansing wipes 2. Washing hair in the sink 3. Sponge bath 4. Shallow bath 5. Regular bath 6. Showering with a shower chair

General advice: - Warm water is much more likely to make heart rate, blood pressure and temperature regulation issues worse. - Think about your sensory environment. - Use things that make bathing more accessible for you. - Consider a visual schedule.

[criptips]

Winter Reminder for Mobility Aid Users

For those of us heading into winter in the northern hemisphere, particularly in areas where it gets snowy or icey, if you haven't already done so now is probably the time to start thinking about winter-readying your mobility aid(s).

Crutch, Cane, and non wheel-ed Walker Frame users: Depending on the typical winter weather conditions for you this might just be making sure your ferrules/tips of your canes/crutches are in good condition or it could mean getting new, potentially winter specific, ferrules/tips and/or investing in ice pick attachments!

For those with wheeled mobility aids, from Rollators to Wheelchairs and beyond: Depending on the condition of your wheels/tyres and whether or not you can easily get spares or ones specific to winter weather what you might be able to do varies, especially when replacing multiple entire wheels can be quite costly. @cripple-punk-dad has a good recommendation on this post regarding using zip ties to add tread to wheels. (credit for the two images of zip ties on wheels and their alt text also goes to cripple-punk-dad)

you can also look at getting wheel socks/slippers/covers for when indoors to protect your floors from any added tread, these come in a whole range of sizes for both smaller caster wheels as well as large wheelchair wheels.

For those who self-propel wheelchairs: make sure you've got good gloves and take a look to see if you can get some good non slip push rim covers!

Those whose mobility aids entail sitting may also want to look into wheelchair specific blankets, and in general everyone should make sure that they have weather appropriate clothing where possible!

It may also be the case that your mobility aid needs are different/higher this season, you do not need to be ashamed of this. Cold weather can worsen symptoms for many people and icey conditions especially can make it harder to safely walk outside, even for able-bodied people. Stay safe out there!

[ordenna-deactivated20181024]

this book is worth more than a dozen restaurants that grow their own microgreens on the roof

[watchoutfordinosaurs]

ACCESSIBLE GARDENING FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

[recreationalwitchcraft]

So important!

[ocherednoe-dno]

[“accessible gardening for people with physical disabilities: a guide to methods, tools and plants” by Janeen R. Adil]