[dsindc]

I am c5/6 with wrist extension. This is a survey of sorts. I'd like to accumulate any tips/tricks/adaptive tools that are useful for those with limited hand function. (not all pertain to the limp hand issue.) Feel free to ask/answer more.

1. How do you open the suppository? (Magic Bullet, or any other)

2. What push/grip gloves do you use?

3. How do you apply shampoo to your hair (thoroughly)?

4. What do you use to shave?

5. When sitting, is your lower back slightly reclined and curved, or do you use lumbar support and how do you keep balance?

6. How to pick thing up off the ground? Off a high shelf?

6.5 Switching lamps on/off?

7. Do you wrestle with the cover at night when you turn? Any tips for this issue?

8. Would you use Emotion wheels?

9. How do you put on an ab binder/compression stockings if needed?

10. Do you have any other special tips? Any especially directed towards female quads?

[megatrig]

Ok verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry quick reply!

can't believe so little response! blimy!

Practice practice practice....

Handling things, scissors, etc, etc yes great stuff helps

Teeth .. essential lol honest!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo not emotion wheels!

Ummm more to follow

[dsindc]

I know. Pathetic turn out. Leave it to me to post the most boring topics ever. I'll reply to my own post because I just came up with a trick, could be useful to others.

Massage shampoo brush for working shampoo into scalp also really good for itching.

[Tetracyclone]

1. How do you open the suppository? (Magic Bullet, or any other)

2. What push/grip gloves do you use?

3. How do you apply shampoo to your hair (thoroughly)?

4. What do you use to shave?

5. When sitting, is your lower back slightly reclined and curved, or do you use lumbar support and how do you keep balance?

6. How to pick thing up off the ground? Off a high shelf?

6.5 Switching lamps on/off?

7. Do you wrestle with the cover at night when you turn? Any tips for this issue?

8. Would you use Emotion wheels?

9. How do you put on an ab binder/compression stockings if needed?

10. Do you have any other special tips? Any especially directed towards female quads?
[/quote]

got extention? pretend you exercise flexion until it is real.

Suppositories- with teeth and right hand pinch, much cursing, until I could do it normally

I use bicycle gloves. I'm wearing right now the same ones I had the accident in. They still have a drop of blood on them. Sooo sentimental.

I use an electric shaver with a nose that extends for curvy places.

I use lumbar support, both pre and post accident.

lamps: wire in a big wall push switch, or buy an audio control. Too cool: "ON", "OFF", she said loudly.

There are sock frames, but still a major challenge. Try one in the assistive device store.

You will get there, and I bet your needs are very different now from in October.

[gracie]

lamps: if metal there are little devices that attaches to the plug or the light bulb that allow the lamp off/on by touching anywhere on the lamp, just a tap to the base of the lamp turns it on/off. here in the states they cost about $10.

[allis53ca]

1. How do you open the suppository? (Magic Bullet, or any other) n/a colostomy

2. What push/grip gloves do you use? flex tuff...$5 home depot..also use when cooking, and numerous other tasks because of great traction and protection from heat or sharp edges etc...easily washed by throwing in laundry

3. How do you apply shampoo to your hair (thoroughly)? pump bottle and bath scrub mitts..$1 ea. @ dollar store

4. What do you use to shave? my daughter

5. When sitting, is your lower back slightly reclined and curved, or do you use lumbar support and how do you keep balance? i slouch..or overuse elbows

6. How to pick thing up off the ground? this reacher : http://jaecoorthopedic.com/products/produc...ad-Reacher.html worth every dime, hand built by one guy in ark....super rugged, mine is 6 years old and one time that broke randall who built it personally fixed it

Off a high shelf? see above

6.5 Switching lamps on/off? touch switch, or above reacher

7. Do you wrestle with the cover at night when you turn? tuck side, instead of foot of bed

8. Would you use Emotion wheels? too heavy for me...too expensive for me..but great for others

9. How do you put on an ab binder/compression stockings if needed? velcro loops, when i still used

10. Do you have any other special tips? Any especially directed towards female ..... penis prevents knowledge in this category

This post has been edited by allis53ca: 16 January 2010 - 11:49 PM

[Quad65]

I've used an electric razor mostly for convenience. I prefer a blade and shave cream, but electric is less mess and faster. Norelco and Braun are good brands. I don't use gloves. My rims have 8 projections on each rim, so I get good leverage forward and backward. My back is bent a bit and I use no lumbar support. If I sit straight up at 90 degrees, I fall forward. So, I keep my hips slightly forward.
To pick things up off the floor, I use several methods depending on the size and weight of the object. For light stuff, I use a roll of masking tape with a short section peeled back with the sticky side up. I hold the loop in one hand, hook my other arm on the push handle of my back-rest and lean over the side. I press the tape roll with the sticky loop onto the object to be picked up and transfer it to my lap. Sometimes I use a big cooking spoon to get smaller, more compact objects. Other times I can slide the object up the wall or against a cabinet with my hand and get a grasp on it. I've even used a spatula and a spaghetti scoop.

[Meadowlarkmark]

One of my favorite assistive tech device is tyhe bunji cord check` it out here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZbczN3Ws9g...feature=related

[uAdapt]

I am a C5/6 Quad without any finger function = here are my answers to your questions:

1. How do you open the suppository?
- I have my morning care attendant do this

2. What push/grip gloves do you use?
- I use the Quad Cuff gloves made by Harness Designs: www.harnessdesigns.com/dayglvs.html
- I've also used the palm gloves - they are great

3. How do you apply shampoo to your hair (thoroughly)?
- I just use my hands

4. What do you use to shave?
- I use a Braun Pulsonic Shaver and to hold it, I use a product called the uDrink: www.u-adapt.com/udrink.html
- The uDrink also helps me to hold and drink beverages independently

5. When sitting, is your lower back slightly reclined and curved, or do you use lumbar support and how do you keep balance?
- I use an awesome customized seating system made by Ride Designs: www.ridedesigns.com/

6. How to pick thing up off the ground? Off a high shelf?
- I have an Awesome service dog that helps me pick up everything
- I got her for free from Canine Companions for Independence: www.cci.org
- This is BY FAR the best service dog company

6.5 Switching lamps on/off?
- I use the clapper and I can make a clicking noise with my tounge

7. Do you wrestle with the cover at night when you turn? Any tips for this issue?
- I've got nothing

8. Would you use Emotion wheels?
- I just got a new chair with emotion wheels and I love them

9. How do you put on an ab binder/compression stockings if needed?
- I don't use them

10. Do you have any other special tips? Any especially directed towards female quads?
- I just started an adaptive equipment business with my college friend aimed to help quads become more independent along with other people with disabilities
- you can check out our products here: www.u-adapt.com
- Another great website with great quad solutions is Access To Recreation: www.accesstr.com

[animadversor]

Great links! Thanks :-)

[megatrig]

just watched this -- I can do pritty much all this too just in v diffrent ways!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RuPEbcL754...feature=related

[COOL Mobility]

As a complete C5-C6 my answers below

1. How do you open the suppository? (Magic Bullet, or any other) - my attendant...

2. What push/grip gloves do you use? Don't use gloves or rims (they just break little fingers) just push on tires.

3. How do you apply shampoo to your hair (thoroughly)? Use pump bottle and base of hand. Use massage brush as already shown to comb and dry hair though.

4. What do you use to shave? Best quality electric foil shave I can get, blade and foam tooooo messy.

5. When sitting, is your lower back slightly reclined and curved, or do you use lumbar support and how do you keep balance? Slump a bit with reclined chairand back. Not great posture but not really bad.

6. How to pick thing up off the ground? Off a high shelf? Off the ground usually with one hand and tenodesis grip while other wrist hooks oto chair handle. I can hust reach floor now but used to be easier when young.

6.5 Switching lamps on/off? Touch lamp by bed and normal switches elsewhere.

7. Do you wrestle with the cover at night when you turn? Any tips for this issue? Use a Doona and flip back so as not to roll onto it then flip it over again.

8. Would you use Emotion wheels? Tried but not used to pushing on rims so don't find them friendly.

9. How do you put on an ab binder/compression stockings if needed? Don't use.

10. Do you have any other special tips? Any especially directed towards female quads? Best hint is a bulky ring that a narrow handle spoon/fork will slide into and st & 2nd finger over the top gives good looking functional cutlery grip with normal position. Also locks pen under woven fingers for writing or typing.

[dogface830]

I can't help with too much on your list but hopefully a few bits I use might help.

Suppository packets. Give up! I get a few packs opened by any able bodied friend/partner and put them in a plastic box, the ones with a four sided fold down clip lid.

Razor, electric every time..