Calling other disabled people - What is the best gadgets etc. you have ever bought.

[PeppermintParty]

Inspired by another thread about the best thing you have bought in 2023, I thought it would be good to chat with other disabled people about the best things you have bought to make your life easier.

Mine is my mobility scooter. I was reading on the other thread about no rinse shower caps. I had never heard of them and it made me think about what other things other disabled people had bought to make their life easier.

Was thinking about getting an electric potato peeler and something to pick things up from the floor, but there are probably loads of other stuff I haven't even considered, so would love to hear from other disabled mumsnetters.

My powerchair first off, although that's not really a gadget.
I also have a shower stool, a jar/ring pull multi opener, adaptive cutlery for really bad coordination days, a spaghetti spoon thing instead of lifting pasta to drain, a rather nifty sparkly walking stick, and probably over stuff I've forgotten

ETA: I don't peel potatoes, I either have baked potatoes so no need to peel, or frozen mash/ "naked" oven chips

Bad wrists over here. Could never open this without this! Sooooo easier no effort

Final Touch Champagne Opener (FTA7028) amzn.eu/d/iyRDK2h

Grabber thing for picking things up off the floor.
Compression gloves for my wrists
Variety of walking sticks/poles
Good Grips kitchen implements

Another vote for a grabber. I'm lost without ot. So many uses for non disabled people, eg when stuff falls behind radiator. Picking up cats toy to throw (yet agsin) saves your back. Second essential is my walker, which the cat rides around on.

Love my grabber! I have an upstairs and downstairs one

Perching stool for kitchen
Sturdy seat for shower (wall mounted)
Stairlifts
Electric wheelchair
Powered recliner chair
and last but not least, the fabulous Levo reading stand. You clamp your tablet onto the holder, swing the arm over to your best reading height/angle, wheel it to wherever you want to read…no more bent neck/ migraines

I love my grabber, my jar / ring pull opener and my foam handle cutlery. But the best by far is the Breville One Cup water heater - I was a danger to myself with a kettle.

my stick from cool crutches, the handle on it has made a world of difference to my wrist/elbow.

It’s basic. But a dishwasher installed mid height

This is such a good idea!

I forgot to mention my smart plugs so I can turn the tv and side lights on and off without having to reach for inaccessible plugs.

The robot vacuum cleaner with remote control

Came on to say my mobility scooter too, I've only had it for a couple of months but the difference it's made is amazing. My pain levels have reduced and I'm able to keep working when 3 months ago I was sure I was going to have to give it up.

I need to get a shower stool though, that would help so much, crutches don't really work in the shower

@Whattheflipflap
what a brilliant idea!

I've just thought of something else, I use, but not actually a gadget, but an app on my phone. It is Passenger Assistance by British Rail. I only found out about it by chance, so if it helps someone else if I mention it, that is good. I had to travel by train to a major teaching hospital in another city and with the app, I was able to arrange for staff to help me and my luggage to get on/on the train and at the other end, I was met off the train and myself and my luggage were taken to the taxi rank in a buggy.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Does anyone have any suggestions for a gadget to help with trimming my toenails?

When I brought my wheelchair, I paid extra to have a tilt-in-space kit installed on it. It's been the very best thing I have ever done.

The passenger assistance app is also a great idea. Gone are the days of having to ring up and have the same conversation over and over and over again.

electric recliner/lift chair, safety grab handles in bathroom and on stairs too and bottom, Sholley trolley makes shopping a breeze, grab sticks and a step for the shower door has been invaluable and much cheaper than redesigning a perfectly usable shower cubicle (except I couldn’t get in or out of it).
I have a multi tool thingy for jars etc - but Dh usually opens things for me out of love, so I don’t really use it!

My Quopener. It's a jar opener, but it works if you have two bad hands. Other openers require you to have one good hand to hold the jar.

Also my Culinaire one touch electric can opener.

I don't have a shower seat, as my only shower is over the bath and I can't step into it, but I do have a bathe seat that goes up and down that the local council set up for me at no charge to myself.

Thanks for some great suggestions. I am going to ask Santa to bring me some of them.

How do you get on with the bath seat? I was looking at them a while back because getting in and out is difficult but sometimes I really could do with a long hot soak. The shower is ok for washing but does nothing for my aches

I have a table top dishwasher, that works too.

I have a grabber, electric tin opener and a food processor with a wickedly powered motor.

It wasn't bought as a disability aid but my new Japanese knife is fab.

The best thing I've bought, by far, is my adjustable bed.

No more struggling to sit, prop myself up or elevate myself for comfort or to get into and out of bed, and no more putting pillows at the foot of the bed for my legs either !

My electric recliner armchair is also something I couldn't manage without now.

It is fine, but when lowered, it sits about 2 inches higher than the bottom of the bath, so I can't have as good a soak as I used to. If you re thinking of 'splashing out' on one, I would suggest you check with your local council first to see if they will do an assessment to see if they think you need one and if so, if you would qualify for it for free.

Shamelessly bumping again to see if anyone has good gadget to trim toenails easily. Perhaps like an electric filer.

@DuckWithOneWing where did you buy your Quopener, I googled it, but it looks like they are based outside the UK and I was wondering if there is a UK based supplier. Thanks.