Disability Essential Items 👩🏻🦼♿
I have Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. This list includes items I (or my friends) use to make life easier while living with a disability & being a full time wheelchair user.
Bathroom Aides
These grab bars are great. I had a 12" set at my sister's old house. I like these longer ones even more because there's extra length to grab. They need to be wet, but then suction very strongly to surfaces.
This device looks funny but can be super helpful after surgery or in general for those whom are bed bound or elderly. The positioning takes practice for a female, but it can be used for males as well.
Easy to use & wash. This style is best for males. It has a lid to help avoid spills before dumping & washing it.
I used this after surgery & it's an amazing system for those in need! Contact insurance for the collection part & Amazon has decent priced replacement urine collection units. *These contain latex*
I've had this for a few years, it's lightweight & folds up. It can be used at a bedside (I used it in Oct after surgery), over a toilet for stability or as a toilet when staying with family in non accessible homes.
I use these when I'm on my menstrual cycle. However, they can be worn daily depending on needs. These have tear off sides & are pull up style of brief.
Male style pull on briefs. These have maximum absorbency & easy tear off sides. They can be worn daily at anytime depending on needs.
This is a similar shower chair to mine. I use a Raz shower wheelchair with tilt & recline that was custom fit to me. However, this one is thinner & more compact. This will allow your loved one to sit safely in the shower to be washed without ...
For homes with bathtubs, this is a great option. Your loved one can be safely wheeled to the bathroom & put into the tub using this system. It can be purchased at cost via my link, or sometimes via insurance as well!
Movement & Transfer Devices
Insurance can cover these. If you need to purchase one though, this is a nice electric option & it comes with one style of sling as well.
I have one of these at the outside of my bed. It helps me to roll over & pull myself up from laying to sitting.
This is another easy to use simple device that helps you pull yourself up &/or reposition in bed.
This is the lift I use at home in my bedroom
If you or someone you care for have positioning trouble & very tense lower extremities, this cushioned roller could be very helpful! It helps keep your/their knees apart, can be strapped in place & helps roll in a smooth motion.
Wheelchair & Wheelchair Accessories
Contact your local wheelchair vendor for trials & to order. This is my wheelchair! It is in spring green. It has all the functions, lights & USB charging port! Amazing chair that helps you get around, adapt to the environment around you &...
If you live in a cold climate, especially an area with snowy winter weather. These are great! They hook to your wheelchair push handles & allow you to sit inside & zip up your lower body, keeping you warm & covered!
This is also good for cooler/colder weather as traditional jackets are hard to get on/off & don't cover you completely.
This one, you would need a sweater on underneath, but it will keep you & your wheelchair covered for the weather elements. These are way more comfortable & easy to use compared to traditional jackets.
I use a wedge like this to elevate my legs because my left foot has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome & it helps keep the swelling reduced as I relax.
I've owned a few in my life & like them. They can hang into a variety of wheelchair styles (as long as there's handle bars). It's nice to be easily able to carry items that are needed on the go. The waterproof ability is great too.
I use the small size to hold my keys & a large one to hold my water bottle. I clip them to the ring on my wheelchair seatbelt.
Kitchen Tools/Independent Eating
This is my simplest yet most used adaptive kitchen tool! It allows oven/toaster oven racks to be pulled out & pushed in with ease! It helps so you can safely reach your cooked items.
Cappy not only helps you grip & open canned beverages but also act as a cap to close the can opening from bugs &/or the elements!
These bowls have suction cup bases & a lip to make it easier to scoop food from them. They're very helpful & overall spill proof.
These grips Velcro to the hand so the items can't easily be dropped. They are universal & can hold all utensils & more.
Duel handled light weight cup with lid & straw. This can make drinking easier & spilling happen less often.
Tools for work or School
Simple grips like these help keep a better hold on writing utensils & can be used for general overall comfort as well.
I have an older version of the live scribe pen & still love it! This is another essential item for kids in school & adults in college. It records what it hears & how you write on the special notebooks. You can play it back right in the no...
Dragon is awesome software. It really helped me in college & can help anyone, with tasks at home, school or work. You train the software to your voice & can dictate emails, social media posts, papers & more!
Hold your papers books etc upright & higher. Makes for hands free reading & gives you a higher/easier to reach writing surface.
This is a heavy duty, thick paper capacity stapler. What's great about this is, it takes very little pressure to staple. So even those with minimal hand strength can use it!
Helpful Items for Getting Dressed
This device can help you independently put on socks. It also comes with tools to help remove shoes & your socks.
I wish this was around when I was younger! Getting my AFO's on was a challenge in itself, then getting them into my sneakers was a battle! I'm sure this would take practice, but it would make things easier for any child or parent/disabled adult who w...
I personally don't need these, but I've seen them used. They can help put on shirts & jackets.
Exercise at Home
These weights look awesome they range from 2-5lbs in weight in a single set! Easy way to do upper body strengthening at home!
With this set, you can do a variety of seated strengthening exercises. They can be done at your own pace & with the help of physical/occupational therapists.
A yoga mat to make the floor more cushioned is important.
This has adjustable resistance & can be used with your arms or legs. Great for exercising both upper & lower body with one, more compact machine.
Occupational Therapy, hand strengthening/exercise device pack.
I have original fitness boxing. Even though I can't stand & do the leg movements, it's a great upper body workout!
Medicine
I use both of these for my liquid meds. The syringe style I use to carry meds on me in a sealed container for travel days & the spoon type is my general at home go too. These both work well, as needed.
I can't swallow pills of any size. This pill crusher works perfect for me to use daily. The colors are nice, they easily wash & have a nice grip!
Easy to open daily pill storage container. It is also easy to clean.
Other Helpful Items
I have the dot with the clock. It's essential for me because it is my alarm, cooking timers & helps me operate my lights around the apartment as well. This can also make calls & send texts to contacts who approve use on the Alexa app.
This is a second style of reacher tool. It also folds, but has pincher style magnetic tips. These make grabbing things in smaller spaces easier to grab.
This style of reacher is super convenient to carry with you because of its ability to fold. The suction cup style ends (not pictured) are my favorite, they work best for me.
These bulbs install like normal ones & have an app to help you connect them to WiFi. Once connected, enable that apps skill on the Alexa app & your Echo/Alexa device can now control your lights via your voice commands! There are also fun colo...
These are essential for reaching your back (in my case) or body in general. There's nothing worse than an itch you can't reach!