Good morning great world! Today I have many thoughts about what makes things more functional at home when someone in the house is wheelchair bound and has limited mobility due to a spinal cord injury. You see, this week is moving week and function is the name of the game. One of the first items that came through and has performed like a multitasking life saver is our 4ft portable ramp that we purchased from amazon. It is made of aluminum, folds in half, and has a handle for easy transport. We needed a short ramp to get down a couple steps to our bedroom and this ramp worked out to be a perfect solution (hint: put a throw carpet down under the bottom so it doesn't cut into hardwood floor underneath). This ramp became so helpful because with the move we need the ramp that comes into the front of our current house to be installed into the front door of the new house causing a need for a short-term ramp solution to get out of the current house. With the help of our handy drill I can unscrew the ramp, pull it up and carry it to the front lanai and screw it back down out front. It takes a total of 2 minutes.
Speaking of our handy drill, I would say tools in general have been an important part of keeping things functioning for my husband and our home. Allen wrenches of course are a must have. The wheelchair is almost exclusively allen wrench assembled as is our bathroom chair. However, I have found myself grateful time and time again that my husband had compiled us such a complete tool box because there always seems to be something that needs a little tending to. At a minimum I would suggest: Allen wrenches, a socket set, a drill, a hammer, screwdrivers both Philips and flat head, a tape measure, lubricant (like tri-flow or WD40), and some shop towels for cleaning things up.
Ah yes, cleaning things up.... Let's keep this one simple. Buy the big package of wash cloths at COSTCO as well as the big box of bleach. Remember bleach will ruin your clothes and change before you clean with it. Keeping plenty of small trash bags on hand is a good idea too.
As far as ideas for setting up for the day when my husband will be alone, we have found some tricks to keep his needs met. We place on the kitchen island which he can pull right up to and reach the items he will need for the day. This includes several cups of water (hard plastic cups that are lightweight), snacks he can open on his own such as: Smart food popcorn, almonds in a can, and other lightweight non-refrigerated snack foods, a paper plate to put food on, and anything else that comes up that he wants access to in a day. On the refrigerator we placed a strap looped around the handle so he can open the door and grab tupperwares containing meals we already prepared. On another lower wooden stand, we have a tall coffee push thermos container like the kind you see at meetings. My husband can roll up to the side of it, place his coffee mug (light weight with a nice long handle his thumb can fit under) on the stand and fill his cup by pushing the lever. He also has a camel pack strapped to the wheelchair so he has plenty of access to water all day. Having multiple options for surface tops that he can roll up to is key. We also use an adjustable desk with a laptop station. By using a trackball mouse and a program called "Dragon Naturally Speaking" he is able to navigate the computer unassisted. The final item I will speak to right now is his lap tray. It is simply a tray for placing your lap top on but used with a rubber mat on top as a lap tray is super helpful.
Well, I hope this post puts some good ideas into the collective. If you have amazing idea's for making the home more wheelchair friendly please leave a comment and do share! As for now..... I I'm off to have a little chat with a rooster.... Aloha!