It was after my first major surgery nearly 7 years ago that I was first introduced to the world of disability living aids, although at the time I looked at them as simply a tool to help with my spinal fusion recovery. A bath seat whilst I couldn't step into the shower, bed raisers to keep my body at the right angle and the ugliest, but most comfortable, brown chair I have ever seen. It wasn't until my hip replacement several years later that I begun to see these tools as something that could make my life easier on a long term basis though, and now they are something I use in every area of my life. They've helped me stay independent wherever possible and without the pre-hip replacement class I attended I don't think I would even know that so many of these aids exist! Websites like Mobility Smart have also introduced so many new disability aids to me as well, with recommendations from other disabled people playing a big part too so today I'm contributing to that by sharing some of my favourites that I've come across that make my life that little bit easier.
When I had my spinal fusion surgery I was only 16 so I didn't mind my Mum helping me with things like dressing but I had my hip replacement at 18 years old and was determined that I'd be independent with dressing in my recovery, and that is where my sock aid came in. It was recommended at the aforementioned class I attended before my surgery and without being too dramatic, it changed my life. I was unable to bend beyond 90 degrees post surgery and without my sock aid I would have been reliant on someone else to do this for me. 5 years on and it's something I still use, bending down to reach my feet can be painful some days and on others when my hip is feeling unstable, it's dangerous and so my sock aid comes to the rescue in these moments!
The next item is one that completely blew me away when I first came across it, and that is my hot water dispenser! Now, this is saved away for when I move out but I already know how much easier it's going to make my life. Lifting a kettle is a challenging task for a lot of people but that doesn't mean we stop enjoying hot drinks. Kettle tippers are one option but when I came across the Breville hot water dispenser I knew it was a better match for me. It's like a coffee machine but it simply dispenses hot water. It still needs filling up but I find that carrying a small jug full of water to the machine is so much easier than lifting and pouring a heavy kettle!
Another item that was introduced to me after my spinal fusion surgery is my bath board! Like many UK homes we have our shower over our bath and so you have to step into the bath to use it, something that I was unable to do for quite some time after all my surgeries and that's where a bath board comes in. It's simply a board that sits across your bath which you can then sit on to have a shower or simply use to transfer into the shower. It's such a basic item and yet something that enables me to stay as independent as possible. In an ideal world I'd have a wet room, but until then this does the job!
Next up is something that only came on to my radar a couple of years ago, and it is genius! I think it's safe to say that even those without a disability struggle to pull plugs out of their socket sometimes, but as someone with a disability it's something I find particularly challenging. I often lack the strength and the grip to pull a plug out but these little plug pullers make it so much easier. They are a small and inexpensive item that has made a big difference to my everyday life.
Finally, whilst this isn't strictly a specified disability aid it's a gadget that many disabled people, myself included, have found to be life changing. My Amazon Echo Dot is a trusty little gadget that can do everything from remind me to take my medication to turning off my lights without needing to get out of bed. Smart devices have been a game changer for disabled people and I don't know what I'd do without mine now!
There really are so many tools and aids that I use everyday and all too often I forget just how much of a difference they make to my life. Without the surgeries I've had and the advice that came with them from occupational therapists I'm not sure I'd know that even half of this stuff existed, I'd still be unnecessarily struggling with everyday tasks. Everything from my pricier Amazon Alexa to my inexpensive pen grips make life just that little bit easier and for that I am very grateful.
Which aids, tools or gadgets do you find to be the most helpful?
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