Funky disability aids

[Rosie]

Hi niccy

Do you have ankle braces from orthotics too? I have these and it means I don't have to rely on boots for support. Of course, I then have to find footwear to fit the ankle braces, but at least I have a little more choice. If you search on shoes or footwear you will find there are several threads about them. Also, there is this thread about boots.

Rosie

[niccysearle]

Rosie,

I am off to see an orthopedic surgeon on 11th April.......have been told I need calipers as nothing else will stop the over-pronation, so I assume that these will be like your braces!! I am really hoping that this will mean I might be able to have more choice in footwear and not be totally reliant on hard boots.....fingers crossed!! (and toes and all my other bendy limbs too!!)
Thanks so much for your thread....gonna check that out now!

[Rosie]

Hi again niccy

The ankle braces I have are these ones with the plastic stays. I have just found that they also make them in white! This would be so mucj better for the summer, and they would be easier to decorate!

Rosie

[niccysearle]

Ah....well these are very similar to the ones I currently wear, but they don't have the plastic stays, so I guess we shall see what the hospital say on Monday!!

[Jorgie]

Had the idea of making slightly elasticated covers for wrist splints and such. Even found the perfect material. Trouble is... I really like that top...

[Englishgremlin1]

I do this and it works, my splints have to be covered as the plastic goes a horrible colour in the sunlight. I have some in subtle lycra and some made of sweatshirt material - they don't look too bad.

[Englishgremlin1]

the other thing I found that works well is leg warmers - they cover a treat and only need a couple of stitches to convert them.

[Stone]

Typical male solution here - I cut hand-shaped pieces out of an old cotton t-shirt and attached them to my night resting splints with micropore Made a huge difference to how sweaty they were, and the cotton didn't even get that stinky. Magic!

Stone

[Es*]

Not sure if this is quite the right place, as it's not entirely a disability aid... but I'm totally loving the duluxe version of this http://www.nadachair.com/... I sit a lot better with it, and I think I'll be able to sit on the floor to meditate for the first time in forever... and even if not, it's making general sitting a lot easier. I need the 'cush shins' though, even for short periods of time, otherwise it hurts my knees too much. I'm using it more as a proprioceptive prompt than anything else, but planning to try sitting on the floor (so called long sitting) with the extensions on so it leans on my fit, and I intend to use my foot splints for that, as I know my knees wonts handle supporting my back.

[Superstottie]

I got one of these http://www.gofreewheel.com/ for my Birthday, and I cannot imagine not having one now!! It is amazing!! I was able to go round town that had cobbledey paths and even went to the beach with it (pushing was still hard but not impossible. I think it also makes pushing up hills a bit easier as the big wheel is easier to push than the stupid castors! It quickly clips on and off and clips onto a special perch on the back of your chair so that you can take it off when going round shops etc as it makes the chair longer and increases the turning circle somewhat! I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a more active life in their chair - I missed taking the kids for walks in the woods etc but this will no longer be a problem - can't wait to get more use out of it, but have had a bit of a flare up fatigue wise so not been out as much as I had hoped since getting it! Hubby just added that it makes it easier for him to push as well (and I don't have to hold on for my life in case he hits a pebble and ejects me from my chair!!! )

[phlipper1970]

Hi all

I just wanted to tell you about a few things that i have found helpful for my hms. I wear Flyflot shoes which are far more comfortable than the orthotics i was given. They are like wearing a memory foam matress on ur foot. It is a specially formulated shock absorbing material that moulds to your foot shape. You can get them from www.shoe-shop.com or the tv channel called paversshoes.tv (channel 659 on sky) and ebay. Do not buy used ones as they have already moulded to someone else's feet and will be uncomfortable. They range in price from £20- £40 depending on what style and where you buy them from.

My next little gadget is based around tens technology but the beauty of this is:-
1 It has no wires to plug in
2 It fits in your handbag/bumbag
3 You can use it over clothing (infact i wouldn't use it on bare hms skin at all)
4 You can use it on the site of pain as opposed to either side of the pain
5 No fiddily changing of gel pads and the expence that comes with it
6 You can not over dose on the treatment
7 Completely drug free

It is called Paingone and looks just like a large pen. It has a crystal inside with a hammer type devise. When you press the button at the top the hammer hits the crystal and it sends a shock out of the end. It is suitable for people over the age of 8 yrs and is fully portable. Cost £24.95 from the website www.paingone.com or from a local pharmacy more expensive. I got mine from a pharmacy that offered a service of buying it, trying it out for a month. If the device works you get your own model, if it doesn't work you get your money back. I'm not saying it will take your pain away completely but it will help.

[cracker]

one of my friends at hydrotherapy told me about a website where u can get crutches from today it http://www.coolcrutches.com
i had a quick look there some real funky designs. hope it helps guys

[Flora]

I have a pair of springy feet for my crutches, from here www.flexyfoot.com/ they cushion the impact from the crutches hitting the ground, and it doesn't irritate my shoulder as much. They also bend when they hit the floor, so the foot is always flat on the floor. They aren't cheap, at about£30 per pair but they last much longer. I've had mine 3 months now, and there is hardly any wear on the foot. Love them!
Flora

[AliJT]

My son needs a new heat pad for his leg and tummy pains due to BJHS. Does anyone know where I can get a funky one that an almost teen won't be embarrassed to use? He's sitting here with a Dalmatian one (!) and asked can he please have a different one for Xmas. I have 2: a long neck pad & a square cherry stone pad that he can use but wants one of his own. His younger brother uses a Bear one and his 14 year old sis uses a Hippo one. Teen girls and little boys are quite happy with cuddly ones but my big boy has obviously outgrown his! If anyone knows somewhere that sells heat pads that are a bit different from the normal boring ones and would suit an older boy I'd love to hear from you
Thanks Ali

[Jess]

if its just one that you want to bung in the microwave there is alot of just plan or tartan tube ones around.

Have a look for Wheatbags on line.