Physical and Mobility
Disability Products

Leg Braces and Orthotics

PAUL:  Over the years since my stroke, I have used a variety of ankle-foot orthotics to help overcome the weakness in my right leg. For the past five years, I've used a small ankle brace that straps around my foot and ankle, supporting and stabilizing my ankle while allowing a little movement to help stretch and tone the leg muscles. With Velcro straps, it's easy to put on with one hand. It's very sturdy and lasts years with every day use.  But best of all, it fits inside a regular shoe! Order online

Canes and Portable Seats

PAUL:  I use different canes when I need them.  I have a light weight folding cane-chair with a canvass seat for visiting museums and other places where I might need to sit. I prefer this four-legged cane seat to the three-legged ones, because it is more stable to sit on, lighter to carry, the canvas is a more comfortable seat, and it doesn't clank when I walk. Also, I have a cane that folds down to the size of an umbrella to pack when I travel. This is similar to the one I have used for years. Order online

Folding Travel Cane.

Features: Maple handle, strong lightweight aluminum, folds into compact plastic carry case included. Adjustable height from 33 - 37 inches. Order online

Cane Holder.

Keeps cane upright for easy access in restaurants

Order online

Arm Support for Computer Use
PAUL:  Since I can't use my right hand, my left hand does double duty, especially on the computer. During my years of work drafting blueprints for buildings using AutoCAD on the computer, I developed tendonitis in my left arm. I use an articulating arm support to reduce the stress on my left arm.  It clamps easily onto my computer desk, and is sturdy and durable.  This is similar to the one I've used for many years.

ErgoRest® Articulating Arm Support and Mouse Pad ErgoRest® Wide Clamp for Mouse Pad. Order online

Bathroom Safety Grab Bar

PAUL:  After my stroke, I had problems with balance, standing, and climbing. We had handrails installed on both sides of all our stairs, and grab bars in the bathroom by the toilet and shower, giving me independence and safety. Order online

Transfer Tub Bench
PAUL:  For safety in the shower, I always use a shower or tub seat with a back.  This is similar to the tub bench I've used since my stroke. It converts a bathtub into a safe shower for me. I sit down on the part that extends over the side of the tub, then lift my legs and turn. Another tool that makes me independent in the morning. Order online.

Boots Over Foot-drop
I finally found a solution for snow, ice, and heavy rain for stroke survivors who wear an ankle brace (orthotic) for foot-drop, like me. It's very hard to safely get my toe in a boot. Most of the time I use the rubber galoshes thatstretch over my shoes. While they protect my shoes from rain, they don't help for deep puddles (which always seem to surround the handicapped parking spaces), or winter snow and slush.

We found a small manufacturer, Vulpine Adaptive, who makes 'shell boots,' waterproof boots that go over my regular shoe (and orthotic). They zip up the front, and have a buckle that tightens around the instep and the upper part of the boot, which reaches over my calf.  They protect my shoe and my pants leg, with warm and waterproof material.Vulpine Adaptive is located in Duluth, Minnesota, order online.

Being a small company, their orders back up. We happened to find similar 'overshoes' advertised in the Skymall magazine from Plow & Hearth; also available from Amazon.com, order online.

One-handed Digital Photography

Cameras are designed for people who can use two hands, and the button to take the photo is located for the benefit of right-handed people. After my stroke, I lost the use of my right hand, and found taking pictures a challenge. I wanted to be able to take good photos of our special trip to New Zealand (Stephanie & I traveled there to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary).

I finally found a camera that worked for me! It's a Canon PowerShot SD630 6MP Digital Elf Camera. This digital camera:

* Is small, only about 3-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches
* Has a huge view screen covering most of the back of the camera
* Very light-weight
* Easily carried either in my shirt pocket or in
a small soft case that hooked on my belt
* Takes crisp clear photos.

I bought a 1-gig memory card and set the photo size to medium, giving me almost 1,000 pictures. I took 400!  I have great shots of New Zealand mountains and glaciers and hills and lakes and people.

The camera is available in camera, computer, and department stores, click here.

Shower Time

Doing everything with one hand takes more time. You can manage this in two ways:

1. Try new things to make your routine easier
2. Watch the time

By watching the time you start and finish a task, you learn how to plan your day.  Also, you see improvement as you practice and finish faster.

This is true in the shower, too. I have a waterproof clock that hangs on a rope over the shower arm and runs on regular batteries. When I first came home from the hospital, it took me more than an hour to take a shower. Today, it takes about 20 minutes, including drying off.

You can view & order the shower clock on Amazon.com, click here

Lighting Candles with One Hand

Lighting candles for holiday or birthday celebrations can be hard one-handed. Matches are almost impossible for me. Instead, I use a lighter that looks like a small gun, the BiC Surestart® Aim-N-Flame Lighter. You hold down the hammer with your thumb, then pull the trigger and a little flame leaps out.

You can buy them at most hardware stores, some chain drug
stores, or from Amazon.com, click here.

Cutting Paper with One Hand

Since I can only use one hand, cutting paper can be difficult. I use a small, lightweight, inexpensive paper cutter. It's about the size of a 12-inch ruler, perfect for my desk and fits in a 3-ring binder. It has a guide for precise cuts, a protected sharp blade, and an arm that holds the paper in place.

The model I use is the Personal Paper Trimmer made by Fiskars, available from office and craft supply stores or online from Amazon.com, click here.

Holding Small Books, Checkbooks, & Papers with One Hand

Some of my favorite tools are my angle weights. They look like small bookends, but are heavy enough to hold open a checkbook or paperback book, or serve as a paperweight. They don't break or chip. I have all three sizes, and probably use the 2" x 2" the most.click here.

 Belt Clip-type Phone Holder

I carry my cell with me all the time. Since I can use only one hand, the standard clip-type phone holders are hard for me. At first I stuffed the phone in my shirt pocket, along with my notepad and pen. But when I bent over, it would fall out. I finally found a cell phone holster with loops for my belt similar to the Lux Leather case available on Amazon.com, click here.

Incredible Machine for Your Desk

It works every time. It staples 2 pages or 20 pages with the same easy, light touch -- one finger!  Every time.It's the PaperPro® Desktop stapler, lightweight and powerful with ergonomic shape and rubberized, non-slip handle. And it is very affordable. To see one, click here.

Important Daily Helper

Staying healthy after a stroke often requires taking multiple medications. It is very important to take them on schedule, as the doctor directs. Missing doses or mixing them up can make you sick..click here or click here

Fun & Easy Stretching

One of my favorite reasonably-priced physical therapy tools is the Gymnastik Ball. It's a strong, resilient, plastic ball with a diameter of about 18 inches. I have used it for many years in my therapist's office and at home for PT exercises to help stretch my upper body muscles and relieve back stiffness. And it's a hit with my niece and nephews who roll around on it when they visit. For more information, click here

Doorway to Better Arms

I do stretching and strengthening exercises at home to help the tone of my muscles. One fun and easy exercise is using an elastic strap to pull my weak right arm. I use a Theraband with a door anchor. I put the anchor over the door, close it, then slip my hand into the loop at the end and feel the pull for a count of 30. Then I go side-to-side10 times. My physical therapist gives me other exercises, too.

To see these reasonably priced Therabands, click here.
To see the door anchor, click here

Shirt Sleeve Tool

My right hand is paralyzed from my stroke. I can't button my sleeve on my good left arm, so I use a collar extender on the cuff button. This gives me a little extra room to slip my hand through and other people do not notice it. I put the extender on by myself before I put on the shirt, so I do not need my wife's help -- one more small way to be independent!

You can buy these inexpensive and reusable extenders at sewing stores. To see the type that I use, click here.

Hold Paper with Dycem

My right hand is paralyzed from a stroke. When I write or do other activities on my desk, to hold the paper in place, I use a square of Dycem. Dycem is a non-slip material that solves many of the stabilization and gripping problems for people with stroke or similar problems using both hands.You can buy a roll for your desk for about $25. To see what I use, click here.

Straps and Wheels to Go!

I needed a new carry on bag for my summer vacation. I wanted something small and lightweight, but with wheels so I could pull it for the long walks through the airline terminal. Many of these small bags have wheels, and handles. Since I can only use one hand, I also need a shoulder strap. I found a bag with all these features: the Delsey Helium Fusions 17 Trolley Tote. To see one like mine, click here.

Click here for other helpful everyday products.
Click here for my recommended Aphasia Rehabilitation & Reference Books
Click here for my favorite Internet resources and links
Click here for a list of my books and tapes
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