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 got an electric potato peeler from amazon , the spiral one and it's AMAZING! So much so that I bought one for my step dad to and he loved his. I love my instant pot pressure cooker as I can throw frozen Casserole veg in with some meat and herbs and for zero edit it produces a stew that's decent and can keep us going for 2 days when I can't move.

Sharp knives really do reduce the effort to prep food. Waist height oven was life changing, as was my bottom cabinets being replaced with deep drawers instead of cupboards.

My best buys so far are the grab rails for getting in/out of the bath. I have wobbled too many times! The other is my ring pull opener.

My red crutches. No idea where I bought them or which brand since it was so long ago, but the grips seem to have been custom made for my hands! And they’re almost buttery soft. I never have any hand or wrist pain, I can walk all day with them & no blistering or friction issues.

And so easy to adjust too (I know I shouldn’t, but a girl loves the occasional heel lol).

My Barkswell jogger belt for the dog. Means I can go out & about on my crutch/stick and keep active, albeit slowly (fortunately I can stabilise with one, I only use both crutches on a crisis day when there’s active micro-fracturing). It’s the best I’ve found, the belt is wide enough to be comfortable (mine is a degenerative spinal series of issues which can be painful to any touch), and means I can keep a hand free for poop scooping.

If anyone has any suggestions on a good poop scooper with a long handle, please let me know! Have you ever seen how a giraffe drinks at a waterhole, with legs spread to reach the water? That’s me over a dog poop lol.

I did have one years ago, and I appreciate it may have been user error, but it was like a poop launching trebuchet!

The belt has a middle zipped pocket for treats/bags (so it doesn’t matter which way up I put it one, which is very helpful when coordination isn’t good).

Depending on your level of mobility- and not a gadget- I joined a cheap spa with sauna steam room and jacuzzi. I do physio in the pool/sauna/steam rooms. It keeps me mobile.

But you need basic mobility to manage- there are steps into all the pools. There’s a disabled shower cubicle with a seat in, though.

I’m extremely lucky to have a ridiculously cheap place near me.

A one cup kettle / hot water dispenser

Alexa

3 wheeled walker and a car cane (to help get in and out of any car) for MIL/my mum were both really helpful.

Unfortunately heat makes my condition worse, so saunas etc. are no use for me.

That’s a bloody genius idea, why have I never thought of that?!

My long stiletto acrylic nails are my favourite, although everyone always thinks they must get in the way but I use them for all sorts- piercing the foil on medication packets, picking up stuff from the floor when I’m in my wheelchair, reaching into the bottom of a full size trolly in the supermarket, opening packets (I have very weak fingers/wrists).

The most useless is my long handle hair brush- bought it because I can’t always lift my arms to brush my hair, but it’s so heavy on the brush end that it hurts my wrists too much to use!

Is a car cane a specific type of cane? It sounds useful… off to google.

Not for me but my late dad…elbow crutches from www.coolcrutches.com . They come in lots of fancy patterns and designs, but also plain black which dad preferred to the hospital issue ones, he felt they were more discreet.
A twirly turntable thing for the car seat which made it a lot easier for him to turn to get in and out of the car as he was able to just birl round on it

Long handled cat bowl on a long stick. I don't have to bend to feed my cats.

Car cane???? Did you mean this?? (My mind is blown btw)

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5806041

Down the google rabbit hole here. Has anybody got one of these and do they find it helps?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LTG-Vehicle-Standing-Mobility-Disability/dp/B07KDK4S3H/ref=asc_df_B07KDK4S3H/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310705025920&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16719253869933244457&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046416&hvtargid=pla-807672160754&psc=1&mcid=e18b0dde95143a60ad0d2279c8281461

One of mine is new, but in my utility room I now have a tap at a height to fill a mop bucket (on wheels) while it is still on the ground - no lifting! And a drain grid to tip it down.
Love the Plexifit arm sling which actually supports my arm/ shoulder
Automatic jar opener, tin opener, and the humble sticky mat to stop things wandering off.
For anyone with limited hand use, Active Hands do an amazing range of things, inc hoodies with magnetic zips, one handed hair ties and all sorts

Not a gadget but I have a monthly appointment at the beauty salon to keep my trotters in check (because I can't reach them).

My relative uses this for getting in & out of the car - definitely theyre best buy (they tell me)

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/simply-car-handle-aid-585205.html

The car cane is good - I use one to get into Dh 4x4 along with a step stool attached to a piece of string. Being short has its disadvantages…
mil used the car cane and it lived in my handbag for years when we took taxis - but be aware it isn’t suitable for all car door set ups.

I got a slippy sheet tube to help me turn over in bed, and it didn’t help at all.

Yes one of these, or the Halfords one that StBrides recommended...

Mobility scooter
Ring Doorbell!!!!!!!

@CentrifugalBumblePuppy would something like this suit you?
https://www.hhenvironmental.co.uk/handiscoop/

@PeppermintParty I go to the podiatrist to have my toenails cut but during lockdown I improvised by putting a nail file on a long, slim piece of wood and used that to keep them from getting out of hand. I've tried long handled scissors in the past but they were very thick and clunky, couldn't get on with them at all.

I'm a carer

We have had a lift installed. Ground floor to first floor.

Means we can stay in our house

We wanted this but in the end got a stair lift as it was so much cheaper.

@FreeAdamsApples Thats fabulous! I’ll have a good look after work. Thank you!

I'm blown away by the car cane. Ordering now!