51 replies to this topic

[Victoria]

I'm in hospital, and needed to get water as I have some yummy Movicol in store. I filled up my jug but then sat like a lemon waiting for someone (a busy nurse with better things to be doing)to push me.If I had put it between my legs I would have spilled it and looked silly and sad. So, dear friends have I missed something, what should I have done?!

[Jeepmanmatt]

I try to use a container that closes tightly and hold it between my legs for transport. I learned from several dropped coffee cups that it must have a lid or it will spill!

[Anna16]

Are you able to push with one hand? I can't really explain how I do it. I just use one hand while holding the container. If I lose momentum, I can push off my wheel with my elbow. I don't know if that makes any sense... ha.

Edit: I've never heard of Movicol. I thought it was some tea or special drink, so I Googled it to see what it actually was. Haha! Silly me.

Edited by Beautiful, 21 December 2011 - 11:23 PM.

[Smileyblue]

I generally have a small steel trolley that I push next to my chair.. I have one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, n one on each side of the bed instead of bedside tables..

They come in especially handy when it comes to hot things, like pots from the stove, or microwave..

I haven't used them recently though as I'm stuck back in bed / or still in bed, I cant remember anymore...

I think I should up now..

[A trophy guy]

Whenever I have a drink that I need to carry, I fit it neatly next to me on my cushion, right into the corner of my chair, so it's snug and tight up against my arm-rest plate (I don't have arm rests, just the plates) and the wheelchair cushion and me. It fits perfectly. When people see me do this they always think I'm going to instantly spill it; lol, it never happens.

[edlee]

I have too big an ass to do as ATG suggests. I had some trouble a few years ago, with pressure sores on the sides of my knees from rubbing against the tubing on my A4. I made two changes,, I raised my footplate,, and I bought a two inch strap that I wrap around my legs to hold them together a little. The raising of the footplate cured my problem,, but I kept using the strap, because it made it so much easier to carry stuff on my lap,, and a perfect place for a bottle, cup, or beer can. I do suggest a hand towel in the formed slot,, to both prevent spills and burns from hot cups of coffee.

Lids are still a good idea, tho.
ed

[ebeth]

Like edlee, I also use a strap around my legs just above my knees. Its great for holding small stuff like a pen or paper. (Just tuck it under the strap) Or larger stuff like a box. (Just tuck a corner between my thighs. The strap prevents the box from sliding forward.)

When carrying a large container of water I rest it on my lap, hold it with one hand and push with my other hand. If I need to correct my direction, I quickly switch hands and push with my other hand. I also use my forearms and elbows to either propel myself or to slow down. If I'm close to a wall or something sturdy, I push off in the right direction. I eventually get where I want to go. The only thing that I have trouble carrying is a large, hot, heavy dish like a casserole. If I can carry something with one hand, it's possible to bring it to where I want to go.

Victoria, keep trying different things, it is possible to carry things with some practice.

[dancin' johnny]

One brings ones jug of water to ones room by only filling ones jug three quarters full and ramming it between ones legs. One should push very gently to ones room. {very eloquently put question Queen Victoria} :}

Also as suggested, a jug with a tight fitting lid would help, a tray on your lap or the one hand push one hand hold and swap method.
Another idea would be to drink bottled water or my preferred method, use a camping water bottle that you rinse and refill.

As you are in hospital though get someone else to do it.

[goose]

I have used a towel to wrap around my cup or bottle. It helps secure it from tipping over! And it'll help soak up any minor spills.

[wheeliebear75]

Are you able to push with one hand? I can't really explain how I do it. I just use one hand while holding the container. If I lose momentum, I can push off my wheel with my elbow. I don't know if that makes any sense... ha.

Edit: I've never heard of Movicol. I thought it was some tea or special drink, so I Googled it to see what it actually was. Haha! Silly me.

I'm able to do it "one handed" as well I think @ least one of the fallowing methods is what Beautiful was suggesting.....


(I know the plastic hospital pitchers you're talking about.)
Method #1: Hold the pitcher's handle in one hand & give a push on your rim with the other hand, then switch the pitcher to you OTHER hand that had just pushed the rim, then push the other rim with the other hand. So say you start with the pitcher in your right hand (most of us are right handed); hold the pitcher's handle in you right hand + push your left wheel with your left hand, switch the pitcher to your left hand to free up the right hand, then push the right wheel with the right hand, then switch the pitcher back & forth this way from hand to hand til you are back in your room.

Method #2 is to use ONE hand for the pitcher & ONE hand solely for pushing, you would then use your pushing arm (lets say you're holding the pitcher in your left hand) on the wheel on THAT side, then cross the arm over to give the OTHER wheel a push (so you'd use the right hand to push the right wheel, then cross your right arm over your body to push the left rim), repeat til you're back in your room.

[dingle]

Why not take the Movicol to the water.

[rAdGie]

Could you not put the equivalent amount of water in a bottle with a scew top? Then make the transfer to a jug or whatever you mix it in when you get there with it in the bottle? Or lie on your bed and press the nurse call button and when they come tell them to do it

[nomis]

I never carry a jug any distance. Jugs are dangerous. If going to another room I'll use a bottle, flask, ask someone else to carry it, any alternative that can't spill or harm me.

I am guilty of carrying mugs of coffee or tea, swapping hands as I go. I know it's dangerous so I'm careful. One mistake in over four decades. Those odds are ok but I might soon have to reconsider.

[isobar]

They make holders that mount to a chair or purchase a water bottle with a strap or sleeve or you could have someone bring one of those jugs with the spout on the bottom and leave it at your bedside.

[joskevermeulen]

Hello to all of you,

Sorry for my bad english but i will do my best. I use a laptop cushion that i bought by IKEA.
The back-site is a cushion, the upper-site is a horizontal plastc(pvc)platform.
I put it on my knees so i can move with two ore more drinks to another room.

See: http://www.ikea.com/...ducts/10086654/

No more spills.

[greybeard]

Hello to all of you,

Sorry for my bad english but i will do my best. I use a laptop cushion that i bought by IKEA.
The back-site is a cushion, the upper-site is a horizontal plastc(pvc)platform.
I put it on my knees so i can move with two ore more drinks to another room.

See: http://www.ikea.com/...ducts/10086654/

No more spills.

Hi joskevermeulen, welcome to the forum.

This is also available in the UK http://www.ikea.com/...ducts/60115791/
It is a bit wider than the Trabasak so might suit those of larger girth, like me . It lacks the straps of the Trabasak but with the extra width they might not be needed. Think I'll get one to try and let you know how it goes.

[StillFingers]

I've used beanbag style lap desks/trays for 3 decades, they cost about $20...work great, are comfortable and if you put a small towel across the desk/tray any spills are easier to manage!



If you want something a lot more sturdy and flexible, get a Trabasack, they work great as a lap desk/tray also and are made by one of our members, here's the link to their page here on Apparelyzed!

http://www.apparelyz...g-backpack.html

Edited by StillFingers, 22 December 2011 - 04:32 PM.

[Smileyblue]

Dont any of you spasm??? Lol.. I'd be wearing anything I put on my lap on any of those..

Anyway, whatever works for you! We're all different in our injuries and the way we manage them..

(But I am very jealous)

[StillFingers]

Dont any of you spasm??? Lol.. I'd be wearing anything I put on my lap on any of those..

Anyway, whatever works for you! We're all different in our injuries and the way we manage them..

(But I am very jealous)

Don't be jealous get one of these, they work great...and the seller will make the straws to whatever length you need; these are perfect at night for anyone that can't reach or grab heavy cups/bottles! Their clamp will attach to a bed rail as well as chair's frame and the bottle is easily removable from the clamp...yea I use one when out shooting!

Drink-Aide
http://www.drink-aide.com/

Edited by StillFingers, 22 December 2011 - 05:25 PM.

[wheelie182]

I either put it between my legs or hold it in one hand.





Revolutionary New Water bottle?????? ugh, ... I think the straw and bottle combo has been around for quite some time.

[StillFingers]

I either put it between my legs or hold it in one hand.





Revolutionary New Water bottle?????? ugh, ... I think the straw and bottle combo has been around for quite some time.

It's about 10/15 or so years old, took some time to go public/production...a rock solid well tested product, the folks responsible are pretty cool, helpful, nice folks

Edited by StillFingers, 22 December 2011 - 05:37 PM.

[mcferguson]

I carry a half liter water bottle in my backpack. The kids love it,as there is always water around no matter where we are.

[xxm]

Here is what I've made of a car safety belt, velcro...




... and a towel...




to carry everything from cell phone to logs for the fireplace

[Lou05]

I either put it between my legs or hold it in one hand.





Revolutionary New Water bottle?????? ugh, ... I think the straw and bottle combo has been around for quite some time.

hahaha, thats funny. I also use screw tops to transport water with no finger use i find them to be the easiest to refill by myself. i just fill like 6 of them a day if im going out but i can balance a cup between my legs if im feeling lucky. once i hit a bump spasms will get me...

[wheelie182]

I carry a half liter water bottle in my backpack. The kids love it,as there is always water around no matter where we are.

Lies! Kids dont like water!

[wheeliebear75]

Hello to all of you,

Sorry for my bad english but i will do my best. I use a laptop cushion that i bought by IKEA.
The back-site is a cushion, the upper-site is a horizontal plastc(pvc)platform.
I put it on my knees so i can move with two ore more drinks to another room.

See: http://www.ikea.com/...ducts/10086654/

No more spills.

Here is the USA link to this product. It's not a bad price...may have to see about asking for my family to get ME one. I'm really glad that more companies are making lap friendly products.....makes the $ more affordable if it is JUST US (the disabled community) who foots the bill for the development of these products.

[mcferguson]

I carry a half liter water bottle in my backpack. The kids love it,as there is always water around no matter where we are.

Lies! Kids dont like water!

Fortunately, mine actually do. They see us drinking water all the time and we didn't give them juice until their habit of drinking water was well established.

[tsh3406]

An aluminum tray to rest acroos my knees, and quick reflexes in case of a spasm and I need to grab the open container....

[edlee]

Hey Wheeliebear,, where's that USA link you mentioned???
ed

[oldwheelz]

I just use a 10x16 piece of scrap lumber. Like the beanbag tray without the beanbag. One for upstairs, one downstairs and one in the garage. Best part they cost nothing and how often do we have that. Someone gave me a beanbag style but I don't like it.