Helpful Hints From Vicki Pollyea
By Wechsler, Kathy; Quest, Vol. 11, No. 1Publication Date: January/February 2004
Article describes four do-it-yourself modifications designed by Vicki Pollyea, a 47-year-old occupational therapist who has been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: (1) a writing grip, (2) a nonslip surface, (3) a reacher, and (4) accessible clothing. When designing the writing grip, she used scissors to cut strips from a section of rubber pipe insulation. Pollyea then glued them to a pencil, providing a stronger gripping surface. She used sheets of rubberize material to create nonslip surfaces on tables and counters. This modification helps keep things in place, making it easier for her to stir the contents of a bowl. When constructing the reaching device, Pollyea fastened a hook on one end of a wooden dowel and a magnet on the other end. She keeps a few of these devices handy to use for reaching and picking up items. To make her clothing accessible, she uses Velcro whenever possible. Attaching fishing line, ribbon, or a circular key chain to the hole in a zipper makes it easier to grip, and Velcro closures make shirts and pants easier to put on and take off. Pollyea contends that buying these items is much less expensive than purchasing a new wardrobe.
Published by: Muscular Dystrophy Association (Website:http://www.mdausa.org)
Link to text: http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q111diy.cfm
