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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
drawingmaps · 13/12/2023 12:11

More for wheelchair users than scooters I think, but my bundlebean cover is great. It's fleece lined so it's cosy, and they come in fun colours

CMOTDibbler · 13/12/2023 12:16

I love a jar key, I currently have one of these [[https://www.activehands.com/product/5-1-opener www.activehands.com/product/5-1-opener/ opener do dads, which also does ring pulls, bottle openers etc. The automatic bottle opener is brilliant as no dexerity or hand strength needed (you do need to bang it, but any body part will do and not a massive force).
A really low tech thing, but everything goes into my oven on an over sized strong baking tray which has good textured handle grips - even if the thing itself is on a smaller tray. This makes it much easier to get hold of one handed and move to the countertop. My new ovens are waist height and have fold away doors which makes a massive difference to me as well.
Elastic laces are a godsend, and I retrofit zip pull tags to zip boots (or coats where they are fiddly). For DMs or Converse, I've just got some Tongue ties which allow you to put a zip in which open up some options

5-in-1 Opener - The Active Hands Company

Opening things in the kitchen can be tricky with poor hand function. This opener helps you get into screw-top bottles and jars.

https://www.activehands.com/product/5-1-opener

Spencer0220 · 13/12/2023 12:19

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)

Ooh can we have a link please?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Spencer0220 · 13/12/2023 12:30

Thank you! I'll have a look

MindTheAbyss · 13/12/2023 12:58

My mobility scooter was a game-changer.
A plug-in heat pad means no more trips to the kitchen to make a hot water bottle - I can just wrap it around whatever hurts.
I use a tall IKEA kids step stool as a shower chair as it’s really stable but weighs nothing and it’s easy for me or the kids to lift it out of the way.

TigerRag · 13/12/2023 13:00

A red copper chef. Means I can safely make omelette, etc much safer than frying

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 13/12/2023 14:41

drawingmaps · 13/12/2023 12:11

More for wheelchair users than scooters I think, but my bundlebean cover is great. It's fleece lined so it's cosy, and they come in fun colours

Oh my god thank you for this! I’ve been saying for years that I wish someone made an adult size cosytoes and there it is.

drawingmaps · 13/12/2023 14:51

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 13/12/2023 14:41

Oh my god thank you for this! I’ve been saying for years that I wish someone made an adult size cosytoes and there it is.

Show quote history

You're welcome! They're very good. Two tips: take care of the yellow velcro tabs and don't rip them, otherwise they might come off; tuck the bottom under your feet on top of your footplate, not underneath, otherwise it gets worn

TallulahG · 13/12/2023 15:06

My recommendation is these elastic no-tie shoelaces from Amazon. They take ages to put in, but turn all shoes into pull ons. I have them on every pair of shoes I own! Less than a tenner

TheSeasonalNameChange · 13/12/2023 15:44

Love this, what a helpful thread! Are there any that would be particularly recommended for Parkinsons? I'm adding a jar opener to the Christmas list for a relative, thrilled to get something recommended instead of having to guess

Icalledmywheelchairdoris · 13/12/2023 16:32

I am with you 100% on the wheelchair love. I've had mine about 8 months now and I could spend all night waxing lyrical on how much I love it. It was far, far from cheap (think 8k) but its the very best thing I have ever done

CMOTDibbler · 13/12/2023 16:38

@TheSeasonalNameChange how about a topple tray? It makes carrying cups etc much easier with a tremor as everything is stable

StBrides · 13/12/2023 20:08

TheSeasonalNameChange · 13/12/2023 15:44

Love this, what a helpful thread! Are there any that would be particularly recommended for Parkinsons? I'm adding a jar opener to the Christmas list for a relative, thrilled to get something recommended instead of having to guess

The car cane I recommended upthread - my relative who uses is has parkinsons

BakedTattie · 13/12/2023 20:58

Another app recommendation. I’m a carer for my relative with CP, they have very stuttery speech and we couldn’t get Alexa to recognise their voice and respond. Voiceitt is an app for those with a speech impairment to use with Alexa. It’s brilliant. Also on the subject of alexa, she’s used to open blinds, turn on lights etc. total game changer

Paperwhiteflowers · 13/12/2023 21:31

Thanks for the recommendation of Passenger Assistance App. I’ve just booked my assistance for my travel over Christmas. It’s marvellous!

Paperwhiteflowers · 13/12/2023 21:50

TallulahG · 13/12/2023 15:06

My recommendation is these elastic no-tie shoelaces from Amazon. They take ages to put in, but turn all shoes into pull ons. I have them on every pair of shoes I own! Less than a tenner

Just a warning. If you have a high instep, like me, they don’t work very well as they can be too tight.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 14/12/2023 00:56

My tips for using passenger assistance

If you're at a small or unstaffed station and nobody is there to assist you, you can press the assistance button on the platform and someone can try to contact the conductor on your train, and the providers of assistance at the next station.

They're often trained for a few types of disability and you have to be a bit forthcoming if you need something specific.

You definitely have to work out how to announce to someone that you're there and that you've booked assistance - the meeting points don't seem to be used. Do not wait for someone to find you in the assistance waiting room at King's Cross.

Spencer0220 · 14/12/2023 03:11

To anyone using a bundle bean, how easy are they to fit?

I have no movement in my right leg and am fully hoisted. Getting me to shimmy it in until it's under my bum is a non starter.

GivePeasADance · 14/12/2023 06:12

Not sure this counts as a gadget as such, but those £7 fluffy Primark stretchy, fleece-lined leggings. I've been wearing them all winter underneath everything, and they help brilliantly with the pain I usually get from cold legs.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 14/12/2023 08:13

NealBrose · 13/12/2023 08:11

Fab thread.

My best gadgets are oven gloves with fingers https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/heat-resistant-oven-gloves-with-fingers/

And a mini wicker shopping basket that means I can either carry two cups of tea (so I can occasionally take my DH a cuppa for a change) or a cup and a cake Grin

Oh can you share the wicker basket!?

NealBrose · 14/12/2023 10:30

@TruthThatsHardAsSteel Of course! I also made myself coffee and cake, purely for demonstration purposes, obviously.

Calling other disabled people - What is the best gadgets etc. you have ever bought.
drawingmaps · 14/12/2023 13:33

Spencer0220 · 14/12/2023 03:11

To anyone using a bundle bean, how easy are they to fit?

I have no movement in my right leg and am fully hoisted. Getting me to shimmy it in until it's under my bum is a non starter.

It goes over the top, you don't have to get into it. For me it works because I'm ambulatory so I can get in and out easily, for you it sounds like it would work as you don't have to climb into it unlike some cosy toes things. I've also seen other brands that attach to the wheelchair, you sit down, and they zip up the front.
https://bundlebean.com/

BundleBean - Cosy waterproofs for babies, toddlers & wheelchair users

A very warm welcome to the colourful world of BundleBean. We have developed a range of waterproof, cosy and useful products to help get you out on your everyday adventures with maximum comfort and miniumum fuss. We have products for babies, toddlers an...

https://bundlebean.com

Icalledmywheelchairdoris · 15/12/2023 23:52

For those that are handy with a sewing machine and don't like both the price and patterns of bundlebean wraps then it's fairly easy to make one yourself.

2 metres of fleece and some elastic cord is all you need. Cost me £10 for the fabric from the fabric stall at my local market.