#mobility tools

[hhenderson]

My #1 favorite mobility aids.

Embark on a journey through a handpicked selection of my favorite mobility aids, curated based on personal experience and research. These items have been a game-changer, offering unparalleled support and empowerment in navigating life's various terrains.

With these items I hope to inspire confidence, promote independence, and revolutionize the way we approach mobility challenges.

Whether you seek assistance with mobility challenges or aspire to improve daily life, this list is crafted to guide you through innovative solutions that prioritize functionality, durability, and user-friendly design.

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Get tired of holding your phone or is it uncomfortable to rest your tablet on your chest while lying down? This item is perfect for you. I have 3 of these in different areas of the house where I spend the most time. Great for weak or tired arms, perfect for watching videos on your phone or tablet.

360 Degree Rotating Bed Tablet Mount Holder Aluminum Arm for iPad, iPhoneXS, Nintendo-Switch, Amazon Kindle Fire or Other 4~11 inch Devices.

https://a.co/d/6i52vgF

You also might want a really great stylus, pen with two working ends with different points. One is a pen tip and the other is eraser sized. This stylus is rechargeable and works great with your phone or tablet. Perfect for that extra reach you might need so your arms don’t get tired.

Active Stylus Pen Compatible for iOS & Android Touch Screens, Pencil with Dual Touch Function, Rechargeable Stylus for iPad/iPad Pro/Air/Mini/iPhone/Cellphone/Samsung/Tablet Drawing & Writing

https://a.co/d/9tWiG20

If you work at home from your laptop, this item is a complete game changer for those with back issues and have trouble sitting for long periods of time. I can do my work, search the web or play computer games while laying comfortably in my bed.

MagicHold 3 in 1 360 Degree Rotating Height Adjustable Laptop Tablet Stand for Bed, Floor, Compatible with Ipad Pro 12.9 Inch, IPAD, MacBook Pro/Air, MS Surface Pro, MS Surface Book

https://a.co/d/ciHBPhz

Let’s face it, most chairs and couches have no back support. If you have back pain, you’re gonna want to get a lumbar pillow. I take mine everywhere in a tote bag or straps to my back. Depending on the chair or bench, I will use it for back comfort even sit on it if the surface is wood or stone.

ComfiLife Lumbar Support Back Pillow Office Chair and Car Seat Cushion - Memory Foam with Adjustable Strap and Breathable 3D Mesh (Black)

https://a.co/d/4pHeCCP

This multifunctional storage cart on wheels lets you keep everything you need right next to you so that you don’t have to fetch the items that you use most often.

Keep your meds, tissues, games and drinks directly in your reach wherever you might sit in your home. I even have my phone and tablet mount attached to it so I don’t have to hold my phone while resting.

SimpleHouseware Heavy Duty 3-Tier Metal Utility Rolling Cart, Red.

https://a.co/d/bOsu9MW

Are you tired of losing the tip of your phone charger? If you have lots of

different chargers for your iPad, phone, other items that use charging cords, these cable clips are perfect for you. Attach one or two of these clips to your side table and I even put them on the side of my rolling cart.

Cable Clips, OHill 16 Pack Black Self Adhesive Cord Holder, Ideal Cable Management Cord Organizer Wire Keeper for Phone Charger, Computer, Desk, Home, Office, Car, Nightstand

https://a.co/d/fJNTPOU

For those who have trouble bending while in the shower, use a loofah or brush on a stick. Trust me, you’ll be happy you did. This is the loofah I currently use, and there are different styles available with longer handles.

2 Pack Back Scrubber for Shower with Long Handle (2Pack Blue)

https://a.co/d/6IKQKm7

This reacher is perfect for picking up light items nearby that might be out of reach. Perfect for grabbing toilet paper off of a shelf or clothing off of the floor this reacher has so many different uses you’ll want to get one for each room in your home.

DMI Reacher Grabber Tool for Elderly, Disabled or After Surgery Recovery, Claw Grabber, Reaching Assist Tool, Trash Picker, Hand Gripper, Arm Extension, 32 Inches, Non Folding, Magnetic Claw

https://a.co/d/bwpfYi3

If you like me and get tired while in the shower, you’ll want to get an adjustable shower stool. This particular stool has a rotating seat so if you need to turn left or right, it’s easy to do. This seat is also perfect for shaving your legs and washing your feet.

Adjustable Tub Chair and Bathroom Stool with Storage Tray for Seniors, Elderly, Bath Handicap & Disabled

Green https://a.co/d/5jjwC8T

The most difficult area for me to wash is my feet. I found a really great foot scrubber that attaches to the bathtub surface with suction cups. When you’re finished using it, just hang it on the bath tub faucet.

Fresh Feet- Foot Scrubber With Pumice Stone, Cleans, Smooths, Exfoliates & Massages your Feet Without Bending in the Shower or Bathtub

https://a.co/d/4JmWfB0

I really hope that these suggestions help you navigate your life with disability as they have mine. I will add more mobility items as I use them.

For any questions you may have, please message me at any of my social media sites.

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Does it embarrass you to use certain mobility aids?

Yes

No

Depends on the mobility aid

Voting ended onDec 22, 2023

[bibliotheca-babble-on]

Just was thinking “but do I really NEED a rollator?” abd like the answer to that is probably no

But then if I ask myself “would my life be improved by a rollator?” the answer is a very big Yes

So I’m gonna get one and I’m gonna make it very flashy and obnoxious bc fuck ableism

[chronicallypainful]

Bicycles as Mobility Aids

I reblogged a post recently about whether bicycle could be a mobility aid.  I added a comment about how I use my own bicycle to help me get around campus with minimal pain.  That post got more notes than I expected, so it occurred to me that maybe there would be interest in some more information about how a bicycle can be (for some people) a useful mobility aid.  Since I'm just now getting back to riding my bicycle regularly (after months of struggling with iron deficiency and sleep apnea), I've been thinking a lot about how to best use my bicycle and what makes it so useful for me.  So, here are some thoughts, based on my own experiences, on when a bicycle is useful as mobility aid and how to take best advantage of it. (Organizational headings in bold)

When is a bicycle helpful? -You need to traverse moderate distances in an area that is physically safe for bicycling. -You have a moderate to high capacity for aerobic exercise or the ability to develop that capacity.  (The flatness of your route will majorly affect how much aerobic fitness is required.)  Also, hybrid electric/pedal bicycles are now available, but they are expensive (but less expensive than dedicated powered mobility equipment...).  Might be a good option if you can afford it. -Most of your traveling will be done during daylight hours. -You have the ability to walk short distances, either unaided or with a mobility aid that can be carried with you on the bicycle, like a folding cane. - The motion of pedaling is easier or less painful for you than the motion of walking.  (Alternatively, a bicycle might be a useful tool for people who can walk and bike easily, but cannot drive a car and don't have access to good public transit.) -You have reasonable ability to balance and steer.  (If balance is a problem, adult tricycles are an option.)

What should you keep in mind when picking a bicycle? -Aluminum frames are more expensive, but they also weigh much less than steel frames.  This is especially helpful when it comes to parking your bicycle at a bike rack, or turning it around in a small space. -If you have any issues with hand dexterity or grip strength, consider looking for a bicycle with coaster brakes (brakes that activate when you pedal backwards).  These bicycles are generally harder to find, but they do exist.  Some people (who haven't kept up with changes in technology) may tell you that having multiple gears is physically incompatible with coaster brakes.  This isn't true.  A shifting mechanism called an "internally geared hub" allows you to have both.  I have coaster brakes, and they are awesome!  I wouldn’t feel safe without them. - In general, there are several different styles of handle bars available, and most handlebars can be connected to most bicycle frames.  A good bike shop should be able to let you try out several handlebars until you find the kind that is most comfortable for you.  (Similarly, there are many types of grips that can be put on your handlebars.  Again, a good bike shop should be able to let you feel lots of them and pick what's best for you.) -If you plan on carrying any significant load, you will want at least one basket.  Baskets on the front of your bike make steering more difficult, so rear baskets are generally easier to ride with.  Make sure that your bicycle has mounting options for baskets, and that the baskets compatible with them aren't outrageously expensive. - Even if you don't plan on carrying loads, you will want a place for a water bottle.  You could find a backpack or fanny pack with a water bottle holder (or use a camel pack or similar), but it's often easier to just have a water bottle holder on the frame of your bicycle. -Having a few gears to choose from will make handling hills much easier, especially if you have limited aerobic fitness.

What other gear will you need? -A helmet.  In the US, all helmets have to meet minimum safety standards, so you don't need to worry about one brand being better than another.  Just find something that fits comfortably. -A water bottle and a way to carry it -some sort of bag for carrying keys/wallet/etc.  If that's all I need to carry, I usually go with a simple fanny pack.  Otherwise, there are a variety of lumbar packs, backpacks, and frame mounted bags available. - A high-quality U-lock (if you ever plan to park outside of your own garage).  These aren't too hard to find, but make sure that the locking mechanism is something you can physically handle.  It is worth investing in a good lock will to protect your bicycle.  (I have been told by multiple campus police officers about the inadequacy of chain and cable-based locks (I used to do peer education on bicycling).  You want a U-lock!) -Baskets and/or a backpack if you need to carry anything substantial. -Rain gear if you need to ride in poor weather.  I have a rain proof helmet cover, a good rain jacket, and a pair of waterproof pants.  As well as a pair of waterproof athletic-style boots. -If you will be riding at dawn, dusk, or after dark, you need, at a minimum, a red rear reflector and a white front headlight.  I would recommend additionally having a flashing rear, red light.  These are so important for helping cars and other cyclists be able to see you!  If you're riding in a dark area, you will need a higher-powered headlight.  If you're riding in a high-traffic area, you may also want to add reflective clothing.  (Some helmets are available with built-in reflectors and/or lights.  You can also buy reflective vests or wrist/ankle straps.)  Light are also advisably for poor weather: rain, fog, etc.

Some things to keep in mind when you're starting to use a bicycle -Take it slow at first.  There's no shame in riding just a few blocks a day to start.  Especially if you have limited aerobic fitness.  If you have access, you might consider using a stationary bike to help you build up your aerobic capacity before adding the challenges of dealing with hills, traffic, etc. -Take a look at the cycling laws in your state or country.  Most US states require that bicycles ride on the road, not the sidewalk.  You will also likely find rules about helmet use, use of lights after dark, and official hand signals.  If you will we riding on the street, you should learn the hand signals! - Look to see what bicycling resources exist in your community.  There may be trails that are good places to practice, to ride for fun, or that even connect places you need to go.  Additionally, there may be community-based resources like classes on basic bicycle maintenance, bike racks downtown, or air pumps for public use along major bike routes.  If you purchased your bike from a bike shop, they can probably point you in the right direction.  And the Internet is always a good place to look as well. -Unless you have a family member or friend who is willing to help you with bicycle maintenance, you're going to need to learn some basic bicycle maintenance skills yourself.  You don't want your bicycle breaking down on you when you are relying on it for your mobility!  At a basic level, this means learning how to check tire pressure and air up your tires, replace a damaged inner tube, and adjust your brakes and shifter.  You may need to look for adapted tools to help you with some of these tasks.  (For example, I need to use a foot pump rather than a hand-powered pump to air my tires and an extra-long handle on my socket set.  Other people may need bigger grips on wrenches or an electric air pump.  Lots are these “modifications” are actually available at a standard hardware store, because abled people use them too, just because it’s easier.  Many can be done yourself, too.)

I hope this is helpful.  Feel free to drop questions in my ask box if I can clarify anything to provide any more useful information.

[coordination-vital-hocke-b]

Mobility Aids UK - Providing Easement and Independence

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[it-is-ok-i-am-ok]

It’s official I am getting a wheelchair.

I guess i convinced and changed the mind of my doctor with the pros and cons list he asked me to do (and I mean I did add in a long essay like of why I need it) and he took it all in and agreed with me that I need one.

I get my script monday.

Wooooh to mobility tools.

[it-is-ok-i-am-ok]

Off to my doctor, going to request my wheelchair (he wanted to wait until after I got my cane and since I have my cane now I can ask for the wheelchair again)

Going to ask if there’s any other medications I can add on top of lyrica to help etc.

Wish me luck!

[chronicallypainful]

More Airline Security Worries

I know I know that this is going to get long and rather rant like, so, yeah, read on at your own risk.

I'm back on air travel security worries train again.  (Previous post here.)  The basic premise is this: I have a neurological disorder and chronic pain.  Walking is painful.  I use a pair of athletic walking sticks to reduce the pain.  (I've tried canes.  I have a hard time holding them and they hurt my hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.  I do use one very occasionally, but it's not appropriate for the amount of walking I would need to do in an airport.)  Airports require a lot of walking.  I need my walking sticks in order to get through the airport.  I also need them at my destination.  They really are like an extension of my body, and they allow me to be significantly more mobile and independent than I would be without them.

Of course, airport security has a special gift of being able to see anything as a potential weapon.  (Nevermind that I'm so physically weak that I sometimes fear for my own safety in crowded environments.)  I've read everything remotely relevant on TSA's website.  (I seem to think that problems are solved by information gathering and processing; needless to say, this works better in school than it does in "real life.")  They allow mobility aids, including the typical "canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs."  But my walking poles are technically athletic.  I use them as mobility aids, but that doesn't mean that anyone else is going to see them that way.  Especially since I'm young, look healthy, and generally have all the typical problems associated with being chronically ill in my 20s.

I actually got my air travel tickets (for one school I want to visit) scheduled today.  So that brought this whole issue back into my mind, and I decided I had to start doing something about it.  Well, TSA has a phone number that you can call if you have questions regarding traveling with a disability or medical condition.  It's called the TSAcares hotline.  Well, I called.  It was extremely nerve-racking and briefly made me consider just not traveling, like, ever again.  (Because I hate talking to strangers on the phone, and because self advocacy still sort of makes me queasy, and because ableism fills me with a hot boiling hatred, and because I half feared for the answer.)  I'm proud of myself for calling.  Yeah, pat on the back for that.

The woman I spoke to on the phone was not much more helpful than the website (shocker!).  She told me that athletic walking sticks are usually required to be checked, but that I could declare to the security personnel that I needed them for mobility.  She proceeded to tell me that it was up to the discretion of the officer whether I was allowed to keep them or not.  I reiterated that the poles were necessary for my mobility, and asked if another type of mobility aid could be guaranteed as acceptable.  She told me the canes were allowed, so I asked about the technical definition that distinguished a cane from a walking stick.  She made some generic comments about length, but didn't give me a clear answer.  I explained why I cannot use a cane, and she noted my explanation, but she told me again that it was up to the security officer to make the final decision.  I again attempted to explain why I was concerned.  She still refused to give me any assurances or better options.

At this point, I was getting quite upset.  It was probably pretty obvious.  At this point, she offered to send my information to the airport in advance and have someone available at the airport to help me to the security process.  I let her do it, and she said that the airport might call me before the flight if they had questions or concerns.  We'll see if anything comes of that.  At that point I ended the conversation.  It was clear that I wasn't going to get anything else accomplished.

My thoughts are still a jumbled mess.  At this point, though, I do have a few things I want to say.  Preferably very clearly and very loudly.

My mobility should never be subject to the discretion of any non-medical professional.  Never.  (And only some medical professionals are allowed the privilege of influencing my use of mobility aids.)

Taking away my walking sticks is like taking away a healthy person's foot.  (Hey, that foot could be used to kick someone.  It's clearly a security risk!)

By refusing to give me a clear answer about the acceptability of my mobility aids, TSA has actually been less helpful than they would have been had by simply saying no.  A straightforward answer of no would do several things for me.  First, it would give me some very strong ammunition with which to argue discrimination.  Second, it would get my family and friends behind me in understanding that this is a case of discrimination and that I do need to pursue other solutions.  Further, it would allow me the information to plan around the situation.  I could investigate getting a wheelchair for use in the airport or taking some other mode of transportation.  (Neither of these are things I want to do, by the way.  But either would be better then having my walking sticks confiscated at security.)  Instead, I get to sit in this gray in between space and try to imagine a risk benefit analysis.  (And it also gives my brain lots of room to freak out about what happens if my walking sticks are confiscated.)

I am allowed to use what ever tools function best for me, and simply because the tool was not manufactured as a mobility aid does not make it less useful or less valid as a mobility aid.  (Part of the issue here is that it is considered sketchy to make/repurpose/invent/modify your own aids for disability.  This of course speaks to a deeper cultural idea that to be a "good" disabled person you must use tools that society gives you and not think for yourself about how to improve/invent tools.)

I have a lot of self-respect (though I am still learning to respect some of the disabled parts of me), and I have every intent of standing up for myself.  I have had enough of being silenced, trod upon, and generally mistreated.  However, in a situation like this, I'm not sure how to stand up for myself while being appropriately respectful of authority.  This is a situation where I don't have the option to just turn around and walk away.  There are serious consequences if I don't go on this trip, and even more serious consequences if I don't get home.  But there are also serious consequences if I try to walk through the airports without my walking sticks, if I arrive at my destination without my walking sticks, if I am a gigantic wad of pain by the time I arrive for my visit.  Of course, uncertainty is inherently unsettling to me.  I love to have well formulated plans.  But this is a situation where I can't seem to find a safe way forward.  Honestly, if I was interacting with a business and they were treating me this way, I would be running away in the other direction and hunting for a competitor with better customer service.

I'm wondering, is public transit inherently ableist?  Is the expectation that we can all travel by air inherently ableist?  Is security, with its fear of anything diverging from "normal," inherently ableist?  And how do disabled people effectively advocate for themselves in these situations?  What tools do we have to draw from when confronting this type of authority?  (Especially when we know that the people in positions of authority may not recognize, or even believe, the reality of our needs.)

In particular, how do young, invisibly disabled people deal with being treated as fakers and liars?  I can choose not to make any more appointments with a doctor who doesn't believe me.  I can leave a place of business that is treating me poorly and choose not to come back.  I can present documentation to a professor who doesn't believe me, and go to the department chair or a professor I trust for more help if I need to.  I can stop communicating with friends who aren't supportive.  But I don't have that sort of choice in this situation.  If the security officer decides that my walking sticks are a weapon, what can I do?  I don't think a physics presentation is going to help anything!  (I absolutely could analyze the force and pressure delivered by a typical human punch as opposed to a blow with my extremely light walking sticks.)

I see little choice but to accept the possibility of encountering problems on the day of my trip.  But I don't like that answer.  I don't like it at all.