Everyday Solutions
By Ruder, Ian; Life in Action, Volume 1, Number 3, page 17Publication Date: November/December 2011
Article features three simple assistive devices designed by people with spinal cord injuries to help with everyday tasks. (1) The Door Finger is a lightweight acrylic tube with a neoprene handle that cinches around door knobs or handles and then hangs down, making it easy for people with limited hand dexterity to grab and pull, thus closing the door. More information about the device can be found at http://www.doorfinger.com. (2) A catheter bag emptier was the result of a do-it-yourself project undertaken by a man who has limited hand function following a neck injury. The device consists of a leg-bag tubing plugged into the drain end of the bag so it reaches past the user’s foot, and a drainage lever big enough to be used by someone with limited dexterity. The tube is fastened to the wheelchair and hidden with black duct tape and pulled through a hole drilled in the footrest of the user’s tilt-in-space wheelchair. The user puts his footrest over a toilet to drain the bag through the extender. (3) The Glove Box was designed by a quadriplegic wheelchair user to keep everyday items such as a cell phone and wallet out of his lap but within easy reach. The design consists of an armrest with a large storage compartment and a drop down side that allows the user to slide out items rather than grasp them.
Assistive Products Discussed: DOOR FINGER
Published by: United Spinal Association (Website:http://www.unitedspinal.org)
United Spinal Association (Web Site: http://www.unitedspinal.org )
Link to text: http://www.spinalcord.org/lifeinaction/LIA_Nov_Dec_11/#?page=16
