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.

@StBrides no it doesn't dry out, I store it in several glass tupperware type boxes (plastic boxes always make the food taste plastic to me) and I eat a lot of cheese so it's not there long 😅
The pre packaged grated cheese has a type of plastic coating to stop it sticking together.

Another thing I use (while I've still got some strength in my hands) is a potato ricer, it's like a massive garlic press. Boil spuds in the skins, push through the ricer and they're peeled and mashed for you.

Something I'm looking for, if anyone has seen any, is saucepans with two handles.
Every set I've seen only the biggest in the set has two.
I can't safely lift pans with one handle and I'm forever flooding the cooker top by ladeling food into smaller containers.

There's this sort of design of saucepan:
https://www.kuhnrikon.co.uk/smart-compact-3pc-cookware-set?

I wouldn't get on with those, myself, because my method of holding saucepans with weak hands is to grasp the long handle near the bowl and tuck the length of the handle under my forearm to steady it. This isn't great for pouring - you have to pour from the side opposite the handle - but for me does the trick for ordinary lifting. Your hands may vary!

@PerkingFaintly thanks for the link!

Such great ideas on this thread - thank you!

My mobility is very limited and I can’t stand for long , so I sort of manage in the kitchen with a perching stool and a cheapo wheeled chair ( the sort of thing hairdressers use). I have a compact indoor powerchair with a seat raiser, but it’s too heavy and clumsy for a v small kitchen.

Don’t suppose there’s such a thing as a lightweight manual chair with a small battery- assisted motor and seat raiser?

The Vela Tango chair I linked earlier looks like it might fit your brief, @Keepingongoing .

https://www.vela.eu/vela-chair

For some reason the website doesn't load properly on my ancient laptop, but from the description it sounds like it was designed precisely to meet the needs you describe – for a price.

I have a stairlift.
Wet room... with shower seat and toilet frame.
Long hand rails to front and back doors.
Walking sticks.
Zimmer frame .
Love my electric blanket and electric heat pad for the pain .
I don't peel any vegetables ( buy frozen)...even mash.
But have the gadgets for opening jars/ tins etc.
Luckily l have my family near by as my carers.

Actually "two handled saucepan" is bringing up a lot of hits, some with open handles you could hook your hand in, rather than these solid handles you'd need to grip.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Velaze-Cookware-Saucepan-Induction-7-Stainless/dp/B07T4DK9YN?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

Hmm, don't know why that didn't give you a pic, and did adda MN referral tag.

Oh well, I don't mind at all if MN get paid for the referral!

For me a gooseneck phone holder has been amazing. One attached to my bedside table and one downstairs. I also have a kindle stand and a kindle page turner. I can get in to position and be completely under the covers with everything warm and just click the hand held controller and the pages turn. It's one of the best things i've ever bought myself. My able bodied friends don't understand my enthusiasm for it!!

@CherryogDog I was admiring the two-handled saucepans in IKEA this week with my mum. They gave quite a wide range, aren't too expensive and work with induction hobs: www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/pots-sauce-pans-20633/

This sounds amazing!! Can I ask which kindle page turner you have? Never heard of these but would be a huge help. Thanks.

Thanks @PerkingFaintly those Vela Tango chairs look fab, but do you have to propel them with your feet? That might be difficult some of the time. They do look
very sturdy and stable though.

That I'm afraid I don't know. It does look like it.

I'm sure the company or a stockist will be happy to answer questions: they usually are.

Power add-ons for wheelchairs.

The reason some carers don't like them is that they are big, heavy and depending on how they are mounted on the chair also a tripping hazard. Also, the battery life isn't always that great depending on how far you push the chair for. If the battery runs out when you are out and about, you're stuck pushing the chair AND the add-on. Some chairs are incompatible with power add-ons and if you have a NHS chair then the answer is usually no.

As for folding powerchairs, for some people they work really well depending on where/when you use them. It's well worth getting in touch with an independent supplier and asking them for advice. I did and 2 weeks later I had a person come to my house with several different chairs to try. Turns out that what I thought I needed chair-wise would have been a very bad idea in reality. What I actually have is a TDXsp2 nb powerchait base but with a Rea Azalea seat unit and headrest.

For anyone considering buying expensive mobility devices, insure them! Not as an add-on to home insurance but get a separate policy instead. Often the person who supplies/maintains the chair will have a preferred company they work with. Oh, and if you are considering a powerchair/scooter, make sure you also get home recovery included with the insurance. Ask me how I know this.

The kindle page turner and the stands I use are below. I've taken photos..

Thanks so much!

Oh, and if you are considering a powerchair/scooter, make sure you also get home recovery included with the insurance. Ask me how I know this.
🙀

I'm soooooo glad mine have all been lightweight & folding. Now just have to remember to take my phone with me so I don't have to importune strangers...

Got myself a playing card holder today, as I struggled holding playing cards when playing games over Christmas.

Sounds interesting! And it sorts of leads me to ask other posters if anyone uses something to hold paperbacks open. I used to read a lot. I have several bookcases full of wonderful stories. I have a new stack in my bedroom. My lovely DD bought me one for Christmas...and yet it hurts my hands to hold/open them so I haven't read in years. Don't tell me about kindles, I like/love/neeeeeedd the real thing. Any advice lovely posters?

How about walking aids like rollators? Anyone got a good folding one that fits in small cars?

Mil had a brilliant Walker (4 wheeled braked with seat and bag) by DRIVE. It folded concertina wise in half width wise then in half again height wise. Went in lots of small cars, on buses and taxis.

we went to an independent mobility store and tried out 3 or 4 before we found one that was suitable.

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/mobility-aids/walking-aids/rollators-and-wheeled-walkers/four-wheel/compact-easy-rollator?sku=M66739

it was almost identical to this model. Just as an idea.

Fairly niche question, but does anyone ride a motorbike with a disability?

I rode a scooter for a long while. Does that count?