Stroke Survivor
Reader Rehabilitation
Recommendations
Readers share some of the rehabilitation items they have found helpful. Many suggestions are especially for those who only have the use of one hand. Others help with both hands available. Be sure to visit the web sites mentioned. Each web site has many other items.
Also, visit these sites.
http://www.usinter.net/wasa/handy.html
Wooden
Cutting Board for one-handed users
Certain vegetables
or fruits are nearly impossible to chop up (tomatoes, for instance), so I use a
wooden cutting board with 2 stainless steel nails to hold the vegetable or
fruit in place. The cutting board has raised vertical sides about 1" tall
on 2 sides so you can (for instance) butter a piece of toast without it falling
off the cutting board. After I had my stroke, the cutting board just appeared
(probably bought by my then-husband), but there's one in the North Coast
Medical catalog, along with other similar ones. Call 1-800-821-9319 or reach
them online go to http://www.blvd.com/northcoast.
Beth Weil
Reacher
I use a
reacher that allows me to get things that are (for instance) in the dryer out
of reach, or too high to reach. It's online at http://www.blvd.com/northcoast/ or
call 1-800-235-7054.
Beth
Weil
My jaw
teeth are spaced so closely together, that I can't use a toothpick, yet food - -
especially meat - - gets painfully lodged between my teeth. I have always used
dental floss, but after my stroke, which paralyzed my right side, I could not
use dental floss or even thread dental floss holders. I discovered Glide dental
floss holders that have the floss within the holder so that they can be easily
threaded with one hand. Also, Glide dental floss holders can be easily refilled
with one hand when the floss runs out. Both the floss holders and the refills
can be found at Walmart.
Sandra Gilpin:
A tool
which I have found useful is the NoBow shoestring fastener, which can be
ordered from Sammons Preston Catalog or their website, http://www.sammonspreston.com/.
They have improved the design on the NoBows since I began using them in 1996,
so that they don't break as easily. The NoBow has worked better for me than the
elastic shoestring or the velcro straps because my disability requires a firmly
fastened shoe.
Sandra Gilpin
Counter Jar Opener
I have an under the counter jar opener. It is an angled piece of metal with a rubber gripper liner. This fits all jar sizes and acts as your counter friction to open jars with one hand. It is manufactured by Smith and Nephew. 1-800-558-8633
Several years ago I purchased a HandyOpener electric can opener by Black and Decker. I really like it. Not only can it be operated by one hand, but it is cordless. This means you can take it and the can to where you with to open the can. No more trying to carry full open cans! See it at http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Can-Openers-Black_and_Decker-HandyOpenerTM_Cordless_Can_Opener. The can opener can be purchased anywhere Black and Decker products are sold.
Button hooks meet most buttoning needs. They are ideal for those who lack fine motor coordination or have use of only one hand. Button Hooks are easy to use; simply slip wire hook through buttonhole, grab button with wire and pull button back through hole.
Changing
Dominant Hand
I was right-handed pre-stroke now everything is done with my left-hand
Answering
Machine/Cell Phone
My landline is coupled to an answering machine and if I don't answer within seven rings the answering kicks in. If I go out I set the answering machine on and if someone urgently wants to get hold of me they can phone my cell which I carry around 24/7.
I buy all the groceries and seeing that my housekeeper comes in twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), I tell her what to cook. She cooks and when cold puts in plastic containers and places it in the fridge/freezer.
I purchase goods with levers to open: solid foods and beverages. In the kitchen I hold the can between my legs and then open the can on top with an object (coca cola, certain beers, etc.) At a supermarket they cater for disabled persons (wheelchair friendly) and this week I discovered pumpkin fritters (fresh) so I bought one and experimented - super - I can open it with one hand take out some and heat it in the microwave! I also buy apples, pears and once a week bake fish and chips.
I am not a one-handed stroke person. Both hands have full movement, but feeling (touch) is quite another story. My left hand (stroke side) is numb (whole side), and the more I use it the strokier it becomes, I try my best not to highlight this, but with either hand my handwriting appears wavy. Using a standard pen accentuates this. To combat this deficit, that affects many stroke people, I use a felt tip pen...not a marker…a pen. It hides my waviness…looking nice and fluid!
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