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.

I used to. I could ride a bike longer than I could drive a car without adaptions. There are quite a few disabled riders.

https://www.nabd.org.uk/

What is your issue with holding the pages open? Do you have no use/hardly any use in the one hand, but the other hand is good? Would a large strong bulldog clip keep the pages open? (Only suitable if you have enough strength in the other hand to apply the bulldog clip in the first place).

I'm finding the search term "book stand" gives a good variety of designs, some of which might suit you. Some work in bed (or you could try an over-the bed table.)

Eg this seems to have large, good quality page-grips:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navaris-Bamboo-Book-Stand-Hands-Free/dp/B08KW23ZSN?

These two work in bed but might need pegs or a horizontal loop of elastic to hold the book open:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable-Ergonomic-textbook-studying-lightweight/dp/B00AGX1C08?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RNHWKD8

It's pain and strength. Most gadgets don't seem to be portable so you can use it at a cafe or hospital appointment. I did think bulldog clip but most supermarkets seem to only sell the small ones which won't grasp half a book. I tend to hold a book with both hands so the thumb opener gadget wouldn't put my hands in their "normal" place, and also means holding book one-handed which adds to the pain.

A large elastic band or knicker elastic would work. Off to look at haberdashery ..😂

Would beach towel clips fit the bill?

I bought some like this for thick laundry, but they're always AWOL from my peg bag, doing some other job round the house:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Colorful-Plastic-Laundry-Loungers-Blankets/dp/B0B633M5CN

These ones seem to have more delicate grips:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EMART-Muslin-Spring-Backdrop-Photography/dp/B01G0AAEOK

Of course both will add to the weight, so you may need to rest the book on something.

This might be overkill. It aims to do a lot and is correspondingly expensive. However it can be used on a lap.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385365799491?chn=ps&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

If you decided that a couple of large bulldog clips would do for when you wanted portability, you can order them from Amazon if you can't get them in your supermarket.

Or you could get a cheap version.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386074043201?hash=item59e3ce6341:g:gxgAAOSwISdk78Ig&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwEwg%2BgDmOo1qEfY%2FohCWLtcmM0n%2BS3p4HSfIcFhF4gbdpg428nF%2FbYykH4T8Fxr6eRIXdzKsf5SijDmRC%2FdTQaoqeMSet869m4cFaLVKztCzRaCDSpuCKilaLxcmoZ52%2FRl19WQwMTR7YiOc%2Bpm0c85kj58mSR9R1xcGxEl4HQkLfbZT1jG8nuCIUsZzGQNOTRxDkIGoYh3th8pyZQjHBSknfZJxwzVWza7wT11gHGFDfWwv31sLL61gvCBBVtm%2BBg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9LC-v6cYw

@Pixiedust1234

Can I ask why you don't want a kindle, I find it incredibly difficult to hold books and I've used a kindle for years.

Anyone recommend any slippers for those who struggle to get them on and off and have swollen feet and ankles that's aren't the old lady type Velcro fastening ones as my mum at 84 doesn't consider herself old enough for those yet 😁
Thanks for the Walker recommendation! We are going to go and look soon.

Would your mum get on with mules?

I find these faux-fur-lined mule slippers with instep support from M&S a comfortable fit and they stay on, unlike some mules.

But if she thinks velcro is too unstylish I'm not sure what she'll make of these...
https://www.marksandspencer.com/mule-slippers-with-secret-support/p/clp60616186?color=NAVYMIX

@Pixiedust1234

i've had a look and would any of these work?

Walker with a seat rather than 2 sticks and suction handles that cling into the tiles so I can take them to hotels or my brothers for mum to use. She loves both of them and it makes life much easier for her.

Another thing is the hive heating hub and alexas. She can turn her lights on, set up routines and put her heating without having to get up to climb the stairs to turn the thermostat on (stupid place to put it in the first place but the builder insisted and she didn't feel brave enough to insist otherwise)

Not tried this but just seen it on etsy

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1329193394/the-clip-twist-a-handsaver-for-opening?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=sheepskin+hot+water+bottle+covers&ref=sc_gallery-1-10&frs=1&plkey=0a5b57dba0a061b6a77b9746ebc35604900b1b76%3A1329193394

My neighbour and I just use pliers!

Thanks to everyone regarding the book holder as posting here gave me the light bulb moment of knicker elastic. It works 😂 although I am eyeing up @fandjango blue smilie weight thing too. The other items wouldn't be portable for medical appointments, etc.

Regarding the hot water bottle opener, my DH has been using pliers for years. I personally use a metal skewer through the hole in the plug for better leverage and twist.

@Pixiedust1234 that's amazing! i'm definitely going to do that too great idea!!

A potentially useful slippers thread in Style & Beauty:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4980793-supportive-slippers

A decent air fryer. There’s 2 people in the house and I can cook much more safely without having to ask for help transferring food to/from the oven!

Do veg trug have enough knee space for wheelchair users?

Asking for a friend who's looking for wheelchair accessible raised beds

https://www.vegtrug.com/shop/classic-vegtrugs/classic-vegtrug/

Sorry, I don't know the answer, but bumping for you in case anyone else might know.

Thank you @PeppermintParty 😊

@StBrides no direct experience, but looking at them I’d say probably not. I think the underneath slope might prevent getting your knees far enough in to reach into the middle.

Can you see if a local garden centre has anything similar you could try out?

@StBrides if a garden center doesn’t have raised bed/ benches, then it might be worth contacting a local fencing/shed place, the type which build their own. They may well take up the challenge to build something absolutely the right fit and shape for you. They have the tools, wood and expertise. Given these raised beds are quite expensive anyway, it might not work out that much difference moneywise, but you won’t have to do any diy connecting the parts - so maybe a win! Just a lunchtime thought.

Help needed- has anyone seen or got any good ways I can hack something to make a cleaning cloth holder. I need something that means I don't have to bend down to scrub the toilet/bath/around the back of the toilet.

I already have a flat mop with washable/reusable pads but it's too big to get in the nooks and crannies

Forgot to add, I have seen the cleaning brushes on Amazon but I'm looking for something that can hold onto a cleaning cloth. I've got a litter picker stick but it isn't long enough

@Icalledmywheelchairdoris
I have been known to wrap a microfibre cloth around a dish brush and secure it to the handle with a hair band or rubber band. I think a long handled back scrubber would also do the job - but it would have the advantage of a longer handle.

quick photo shoot of the improviser idea.