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Original poster

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

310 replies

PeppermintParty · 10/12/2023 19:26

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
39
JanglingJack · 13/12/2023 07:11

WildAndFree123 · 10/12/2023 20:09

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.

Thank you. My peripheral neuropathy has just reached my hands and it hurts! I'm going to get all these listed. Listed and bought! My Christmas treat to myself.

sashh · 13/12/2023 07:31

UniMom101 · 12/12/2023 14:15

Can I ask how you get on with the tabletop dishwasher please? I am thinking of getting one as I struggle with bending down but I am worried that I wont be able to fit much in one.

I am also hoping to find some cheap way of converting my kitchen base cupboards in to drawers as I am also really struggling with them.

Show quote history

I get on fine, unfortunately the only place I could put it is on the draining board (I'm in rented accomodation).

I have had several over the years. I'm single so not usually lots of pots and pans so if I have guests I stack the dirty dishes and wash in batches, starting with the pans as they take up most room.

You can't fit as much as you can in a conventional dishwasher but when I go to my dad's there always seems to be a lot of space between what is on the bottom and the top tray.

If you have room and the money you could install two.

Recently I have seen one with a water tank that doesn't need to be plumbed in.

As for your base cabinets, take the doors off and put in plastic baskets?

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howdens.com%2F-%2Fmedia%2Fhowdens%2Fassets%2Fclh_asset_products%2Fclh_asset_levela_108418%2Fclh_asset_levelb_25445748%2Fclh_asset_levelc_25517733%2Fass_prod_img_904248.jpg&tbnid=Y-zl7QGJFLuSMM&vet=12ahUKEwjD64SR8ouDAxVBpycCHQC6AmkQMygVegUIARCDAw..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howdens.com%2Fhelp-and-advice%2Finspiration%2Fkitchen-ideas%2Fstorage-hacks%2Fpantry-storage-ideas&docid=uFO7OojMkfMbVM&w=1508&h=848&q=kitchen%20base%20cabinets%20with%20baskets&ved=2ahUKEwjD64SR8ouDAxVBpycCHQC6AmkQMygVegUIARCDAw

Before you continue

https://www.google.com/imgres?docid=uFO7OojMkfMbVM&h=848&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howdens.com%2Fhelp-and-advice%2Finspiration%2Fkitchen-ideas%2Fstorage-hacks%2Fpantry-storage-ideas&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howdens.com%2F-%2Fmedia%2Fhowdens%2Fassets%2Fclh_asset_products%2Fclh_asset_levela_108418%2Fclh_asset_levelb_25445748%2Fclh_asset_levelc_25517733%2Fass_prod_img_904248.jpg&q=kitchen+base+cabinets+with+baskets&tbnid=Y-zl7QGJFLuSMM&ved=2ahUKEwjD64SR8ouDAxVBpycCHQC6AmkQMygVegUIARCDAw&vet=12ahUKEwjD64SR8ouDAxVBpycCHQC6AmkQMygVegUIARCDAw..i&w=1508

HereIAmThereYouAre · 13/12/2023 07:47

@Spencer0220 @LollipopViolet we recently bought our DC (with VI/cerebral palsy) a Gizahand LED cane and its been a total game changer (in case it's of interest)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Nonentity2023 · 13/12/2023 07:49

I had a large walk-in shower installed and it’s been brilliant. It still makes me smile when I go into it. I love my electric recliner too.

I use a Drive walking stick that has a gel handle, which is easier on my hand.

UnpropitiousNightmares · 13/12/2023 08:00

I have a powerchair, a battery operated wheelchair hoist for my car, a portable car support handle, a selection of walking sticks, a grabber, compression gloves, an adjustable overbed table and a hydro spa.

IClaudine · 13/12/2023 08:03

This is a brilliant thread, so many good ideas.

Can anyone recommend a car seat spinny thing?

Seaitoverthere · 13/12/2023 08:17

What a great thread. One of my best buys has been a light weight directors chair that I can take into the garden to garden plus a long handled pruner that holds onto branches once cut and can pick up other tools off the floor. I have some metal raised beds going in this year and will have layout so I can take my chair and sit next to them. I also use it in the house a lot.

My sock aid is a huge help too along with grabber, walk in shower, reclining sofa, extra handrail on stair that was here when we moved in. An automatic car has been a huge revelation.

Mrsjayy · 13/12/2023 08:24

for scooter users I bought a rainskirt that I drape over my legs and it folds up into a pouch it was under £10.

PermanentTemporary · 13/12/2023 08:58

Sorry another lurker as I have family with disabilities.

Original poster
PeppermintParty · 13/12/2023 09:24

Mrsjayy · 13/12/2023 08:24

for scooter users I bought a rainskirt that I drape over my legs and it folds up into a pouch it was under £10.

Thank you. Do you have a link please to the one you bought? A quick google suggests loads of varying prices (I hadn't heard of them before), but as they aren't designed specifically for disabled people, it might be good to choose one that a disabled person recommends for ease of use.

OP posts:
sashh · 13/12/2023 09:26

IClaudine · 13/12/2023 08:03

This is a brilliant thread, so many good ideas.

Can anyone recommend a car seat spinny thing?

Before you spend money get a supermarket carrier bag and put it on the seat.

Mrsjayy · 13/12/2023 09:32

PeppermintParty · 13/12/2023 09:24

Thank you. Do you have a link please to the one you bought? A quick google suggests loads of varying prices (I hadn't heard of them before), but as they aren't designed specifically for disabled people, it might be good to choose one that a disabled person recommends for ease of use.

Show quote history

I an out atm but I'll definitely link when I'm home

PerkingFaintly · 13/12/2023 09:48

My lightweight folding powerchair.

I am embarrassingly in love with her. When the bloke from the council came round to assess her for the Dial-A-Ride bus, and I realised I haven't gushed like that over an introduction since I was a teenager with a new boyfriend.Blush

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 13/12/2023 09:54

Autumntimeagain · 12/12/2023 06:58

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.

Same here. The electric bed is an absolutely godsend.

We’re hoping to move soon and I’m definitely going to prioritise space for a lift and recline chair and a walk in shower.

I recently bought some Flexifoot crutches and they are amazing. No clicking and shock-absorbing tips.

The car cane is fabulous but unfortunately it doesn’t fit the lock on our current car. When we choose a new one I’ll be taking it with me to the dealership.

DuckWithOneWing · 13/12/2023 10:13

PeppermintParty · 12/12/2023 08:19

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.

I got it from the official Quopener Website. It came from somewhere abroad but didn't take long to arrive. I originally found it because of and I'm so glad I did. I've had it about a year and never found a jar it can't open.

Easy Jar Opener

The Easy Jar Opener by Quopener is the best jar opener in the world. Open jars of any shape or size with this innovative, patented kitchen tool.

https://quopener.com/en-de

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 13/12/2023 10:23

@UniMom101

you can get retro fit pullout baskets which screw onto the shelves from A PLace for Everything. For some of the lighter things, I just use plastic baskets from Curver, they fit into a shelf space if you have the shelf in the middle of the cupboard. Then you can slide of lift them out , I keep cleaning cloths and plastic boxes in mine.

ChickenJeffrey · 13/12/2023 10:41

My most used gadget is the stairlift or recliner chair. I also have a mobility scooter, robot vac, shower chair and grab sticks as already mentioned.

I have an extra long shoe horn which I bought second hand years ago and also shoe related I use elastic laces in place of regular ones.

When we had our bathroom refurbished we had an extra high loo fitted so I don't need handles to stand up from it, we also had a bidet spray fitted which is easier.

PerkingFaintly · 13/12/2023 11:11

Yy proud new owner of a jarkey, too, tealady.

Why I didn't get one before is a mystery to me! I struggled on with various gadgets which grab the lid. Now I just go "pop", and presto, the lid turns even in my feeble bare mitts.

PerkingFaintly · 13/12/2023 11:12

Ooh, Arianna, those look good...

PerkingFaintly · 13/12/2023 11:14

Yy also to oven gloves with fingers.

Mrsjayy · 13/12/2023 12:03

sorry for the ginormous link but that is the skirt I have, it's up to £12.99