9 replies to this topic

[uAdapt]

I’d like to start an equipment discussion for people with any type of disability that affects a person’s grip strength and hand/finger movement. More specifically, what equipment or techniques do you use to drink beverages? I’d like to share what works for me and to learn about what works for other people.

I am 12 years post injury. I am a C5-6 complete quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury from a diving accident. I have no grip strength, no finger or hand movement and my fingers are in a closed/fisted position. I spent years trying out different types of equipment and different techniques for drinking beverages.

I dislike using straws all of the time, so I use a cool simple product called the uDrink. It is a unique handle with a strap that can go around any time of cup, can, glass or bottle. A friend of mine helped develop the uDrink so it could help me and others with disabilities affecting their hands. You can find out more about the uDrink here: http://www.u-adapt.com/udrink.html

Please write about what equipment you use, or what techniques that you’ve found helpful. I think this topic could help a lot of people.

[dm999]

uAdapt, on 26 September 2010 - 08:51 PM, said:

I’d like to start an equipment discussion for people with any type of disability that affects a person’s grip strength and hand/finger movement. More specifically, what equipment or techniques do you use to drink beverages? I’d like to share what works for me and to learn about what works for other people.

I am 12 years post injury. I am a C5-6 complete quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury from a diving accident. I have no grip strength, no finger or hand movement and my fingers are in a closed/fisted position. I spent years trying out different types of equipment and different techniques for drinking beverages.

I dislike using straws all of the time, so I use a cool simple product called the uDrink. It is a unique handle with a strap that can go around any time of cup, can, glass or bottle. A friend of mine helped develop the uDrink so it could help me and others with disabilities affecting their hands. You can find out more about the uDrink here: http://www.u-adapt.com/udrink.html

Please write about what equipment you use, or what techniques that you’ve found helpful. I think this topic could help a lot of people.

My fingers are clenched too and if I stretch them around the bottle or can it holds it tight. A mug if it has a handle big enough for your thumb and rest the heel of your hand below (careful if it's hot)

[Craig'sAunt]

dm999, on 26 September 2010 - 09:33 PM, said:

uAdapt, on 26 September 2010 - 08:51 PM, said:

I’d like to start an equipment discussion for people with any type of disability that affects a person’s grip strength and hand/finger movement. More specifically, what equipment or techniques do you use to drink beverages? I’d like to share what works for me and to learn about what works for other people.

I am 12 years post injury. I am a C5-6 complete quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury from a diving accident. I have no grip strength, no finger or hand movement and my fingers are in a closed/fisted position. I spent years trying out different types of equipment and different techniques for drinking beverages.

I dislike using straws all of the time, so I use a cool simple product called the uDrink. It is a unique handle with a strap that can go around any time of cup, can, glass or bottle. A friend of mine helped develop the uDrink so it could help me and others with disabilities affecting their hands. You can find out more about the uDrink here: http://www.u-adapt.com/udrink.html

Please write about what equipment you use, or what techniques that you’ve found helpful. I think this topic could help a lot of people.

My fingers are clenched too and if I stretch them around the bottle or can it holds it tight. A mug if it has a handle big enough for your thumb and rest the heel of your hand below (careful if it's hot)

Hi, Thanks for starting this discussion. My nephew is a c4/c5 quadriplegic and has only been home for a few months. I found this website while trying to find technology options for him. I am really glad to hear of this product as currently he's pretty much only able to use straws. He has no basic fine motor skills in his hands and wrists so holding this at this point are still very tricky for him. I am going to order one of these for him this week. I will continue to monitor the discussion for new ideas. Thanks again.

Craig's Aunt :-)

[snowqueeneh]

This is Pauls lighter. He just pushes the bar down and it lights - then he lifts the bar up and it shuts off. It's super easy. His sister & brother inlaw made it for him. We also had to remove/ tape down the safety device to make it.

[snowqueeneh]

This is Pauls wine glass. We started off with a "glass" one but it broke. So this one is actually plastic. We wraped soldering iron around the base to add weight so that it doesn't tip. It works great! He can also use any wine glass if it's half full. This comes in handy when we go out to eat.



Here is another pic of the glass



Here is Pauls forlk device thingy that the OT made for him. It works well but it's really ugly. We also use it for popsicles as you can see (c: This is one of our issues. It's nice to have something that works but we are hoping someone has something less noticable.

Can you spot the difference in the popsicle pictures?

[snowqueeneh]

Here is a picture of Paul before the injury. He misses his truck more than he misses his legs. We are hoping someone with a C5/6 complete injury figured out how to adapt a lifted Ford truck out there somewhere lol

[sh1wn]

Hi, I am a c3/c4 quad and I really love my naturalpoint mouse http://www.naturalpoint.com/smartnav/ I had poor results with voice control so it has really been helpful. There are controls for a quads to drive but I have never used them http://www.emc-digi.com/
Hope this helps

[quadinva]

Im c6/7 with no finger function. In the beginning (~2yrs) my left hand clasped up and my right hand did ~50% because i used it more. last fall i started tendon transfers. i started with the left hand bc i was weary of the operations and didnt want to lose the ability i had in my right hand if something went wrong. the first surgery was to install a digit widget in my fingers that were completely clasped in order to stretch them out. the second surgery was to actually release them by cutting the tendons in my fingers. the third was the actual transfer and was supposed to connect a tendon in my forearm to those in my hand and hopefully get some "opening" action from flexing my forearm. op #3 wasnt 100% successful so kinda off topic. Anyhow just the opening of my fingers has helped alot with function as i wrap my fingers around stuff and the semi contracted fingers provide a pseudo grip. Works very well with beer bottles. For eating I came across utensils called "Dining with dignity" http://www.diningwithdignity.com/ and would highly recommend their fork and spoon, the knife is akward but better than nothing. The company and I are both in Virginia but I swear its mere coincidence, im just a satisfied customer. They are kinda pricey but worth it I think

Bags

[guido]

Sorry to plug DisabledGear.com again, but I have just taken on a great new product for those with a weak grip or poor hand function. And I'm pleased that it's supporting another great product designed and made by a tetraplegic.

Do you know about Active Hands Gripping Aids? Designed by Rob Smith who has a high injury.



More photos and a video available via the link.

[WC_Sage]

Snowqueeneh,

Regarding "... hoping someone with a C5/6 complete injury figured out how to adapt a lifted Ford truck out there ..." - a fellow named Scott and his team have done the very thing for which you have hoped. You can see his lift mechanism here.