Kitchen

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Instructions for Making Wheelchair Apron

Clothing, DIY, Daily Living, Kitchen, Sewing No Responses »

Apr 142013

When my Work Table apron gets dirty, I just remove the masonite panel and throw the cloth portion in the wash.

I have had several requests for the patterns for some of my projects. Unfortunately, by the time I was doing the videos, I had lost too much of my finger dexterity to be able to draw well enough to create a pattern. Instead, I would use voice recognition to dictate instructions to myself. Following are the instructions for making an insulated apron for use in the kitchen.

These instructions can be modified for making a work table, by replacing the insulation and batting with a piece of hard board such as Masonite and leaving one end open.

We are making an apron 24 x 17 with two twelve inch straps with velcro fasteners. (NOTE THAT THERE IS NOTHING AROUND THE NECK!)

For apron:
Cut fabric with four and five eighths inches extra on ends and five eighths extra on sides.
Result is two pieces 33.25 x 18.25.
Cut insulation and cotton batting 16.5 x 20.
baste insulation & batting together with shiny side of insulation out.
Sew two fabric sides wrong side out the long way.
Turn inside out.
Insert filling (insulation, batting, with insulation facing top).
Run stiches across short ends to lock filling in place.
Use a wide roll hem (approx 2″)at each end.
Sew long edges to lock pellon in place.
Baste layers together and use walking foot to quilt the insulated surface.

For straps:

Cut two pieces of fabric 13.25 x 6.25.
Hem the short ends.
Sew the long seams inside out.
Pull them through to be right side out.
Cut two pieces of fuzzy velcro 2″ x 5″.
Straddle the seam with the velcro and sew in place.
Fold the opposite end of each strap and sew together.
Use reinforcement stiches to attach the straps to the hems of the apron.

Reaching for the Stars (that you dropped).

Bedroom, Daily Living, Equipment, Kitchen, Mobility No Responses »

Aug 162012

I always keep an ergonomic grabber on my chair. (Attached with Velcro.)

Anyone who has trouble bending over, reaching down, grasping or pinching has probably found the need for a reacher/grabber. But most grabbers require you to have finger strength in order to operate them. That’s something I don’t have, nor do many others who suffer from inclusion body myositis or other disabling conditions. The best solution I have found is the tool called an ergonomic grabber. The difference is that it doesn’t require strong fingers to operate. As long as you’re able to squeeze a bit with the base of your thumb and the inside of your palm, you can operate it. I keep one of the smaller ones attached to my wheelchair with Velcro. I keep longer ones stashed around my room so that I always have one available when I drop something. They come at least three lengths that I know of. The link below is for the longest one but they are also available in 24 inch and 18 inch versions.

Why I'm Pushing This Gadget

Clothing, Daily Living, Inclusion Body Myositis, Kitchen 2 Responses »

Jul 122012

Spray cans are very frustrating for those of us with weak fingers. Mine have gotten to the point where i needed two hands — one to hold the can, the other to push on the button with my thumb! Try painting that way, or spraying oil into a skillet, spray starch onto a shirt, or lysol onto a countertop. Then I discovered the device shown here. It works for me, and that’s really saying something! I bought mine on Amazon. In fact, I buy almost everything there. Saves time, saves money, and I can’t drive to the store anyway.

With an appropriate mobile arm support, I hope to some day return to creating art such as Quiet Harbor now part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Art Collection.

Since I was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) 16 years ago, I have been stubbornly maintaining my independence. I have made use of every technical aid that I could find, beginning with canes and walkers and scooters and ultimately graduating to wheelchairs and hospital beds and overhead ceiling lifts. I started with a swing away lift in the back of van to take my scooter with me wherever I went, then bought a van with a ramp and a transfer seat, and ultimately moved to a van with an ez-lok system in the driver’s position. All these were steps to allow me to independently get around. I adapted my bathroom and my kitchen so that I can could continue to cook et cetera. I adapted my studio, even my workbench in the garage. I designed and sewed special shoes, pants, and leggings. No matter what, this disease was not going to get the better of me.

Today I am reluctantly admitting that this is one battle that ultimately I could not win. IBM is too progressive, too relentless, too untreatable. The final straw came when my right shoulder and arm became so weak that I could no longer raise my arm much above my waist. This meant that it was no longer safe for me to drive. It also meant that I could no longer chop vegetables or stir a skillet. It meant that I could no longer hold a paintbrush and create art. And worst of all, it meant that I was no longer an appropriate caregiver for my wife, whose own battle with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy was not going well.

The first thing I did was have my van converted once again, only this time in the opposite direction. I had the passenger seat moved over into the driver’s seat position and put the ez-lok on the passenger side. This meant that I could pull into the van and lock myself in on the passenger side — provided I had found a willing driver to take me where I needed to go. Fortunately, my friends and family and neighbor have pitched in and I still have been able to get around when absolutely necessary. Perhaps more importantly, my wife, who also can’t drive and who has more medical challenges than I, could get to her various doctor appointments. When drivers aren’t available we are able to get to appointments using the accessible bus transportation called MTS access. It gets the job done, but it is certainly not a convenience. I plan an article on the general subject of bus transportation (and lack there of) soon.

But the really big change I have made is to hire caregivers for the two of us morning and night. The loss of arm strength meant that I was at great risk of being stranded when trying to use my ceiling lift to get into or out of bed or onto and off the toilet. After several close calls and more than a few minutes of hanging suspended in a very painful and awkward position, I realized I simply couldn’t go it alone anymore. It is an expensive adaptation and one that we will not be able to afford indefinitely. But for now it is getting us through each day. In future articles I will talk more about the good points of having caregivers.

I am also searching for a “mobile arm support.” The right one might restore some of the functions of my right hand and could possibly let me try to paint again.

Sewing Custom Wheelchair Aprons

Bedroom, Clothing, Crafting, DIY, Daily Living, Inclusion Body Myositis, Kitchen, Sewing 5 Responses »

Mar 162011

When my Work Table apron gets dirty, I just remove the masonite panel and throw the cloth portion in the wash.

I first took up sewing to fill my need for a special type of “apron/worktable” that would be helpful and safe to wear when in my power wheelchair. I demonstrate three of them and explain their fabrication in the video below. It is the first in a new Life! disabled Video Series. Future videos will demonstrate topics such as using overhead lift systems to remain independent, driving with hand controls, and using GarageBand on the Apple iPad to create music.

Rainbow north of our Rancho Bernardo home.

The New Year is often a time for reflection and introspection. So in 2010 I took this opportunity to review the highlights (ho ho) of my journey with inclusion body myositis, along with my wife’s struggle with myotonic dystrophy. This is my second annual update. Sadly, my wife’s struggle ended October 11, 2012.

1985-1995 (pre-diagnosis) stumbling while jogging, golf club flying out of hands, difficulty rising with backpack, jogging speed declining

1996 – diagnosed at UCSD Medical Center

1997 – started using walking sticks to help avoid falls

1998 – purchased scooter with elevating seat for distances more than 100 yards

purchased van with lift in rear for taking scooter along

1999 – fitted for full leg braces (KAFO) and forearm crutches

purchased Jazzy wheelchair with elevating seat

had condo modified with ramps at curb, entrances, sunken living room

replaced roman tub with roll-in shower, added roll-up counter in kitchen

bought fiberglass portable rampp

2000 – purchased raised toilet seat

purchased hand controls for van

retired on disability

gave up piano, golf, tennis, took up watercolor

2001 – became coordinator for paint out group of San Diego Watercolor Society

2002 – became Membership Director of San Diego Watercolor Society

2004 – became International Exhibition Director of San Diego Watercolor Society

purchased van with ramp and transfer seat

2005 – purchased Pride lift chair

became Technology Director of San Diego Watercolor Society

began making hooks and dressing sticks

purchased grabbers (six)

Beth erroneously diagnosed with ALS by local Centre for Healthcare neurologist

(two months later) Beth correctly diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy by MDA neurologist

acquired Permobil C500 (Medicare) for Mike

purchased Jazzy 1103 wheelchair for Beth

2006 – purchased Biobidet

became President San Diego Watercolor Society

purchased single story home in Rancho Bernardo (San Dego)

added 200 feet of outside sidewalks for wheelchair access to yard

added ADA bathroom (elevated toilet with bidet, low-lip shower, roll-under sink, room for wheelchair)

acquired hospital bed (Medicare)

2007 – began using shelf liners to lift legs

began purchasing wheelchair pants from USA Jeans

2008 – purchased ceiling lifts for bedroom and bathroom

2009 – purchased rechargeable wine opener

2010 – purchased iPad for drawing, games, voice recognition, etc.

purchased automatic can opener, jar opener

purchased computerized sewing machine (no foot pedal)

made belly bag, art apron, cooking apron, robe, work table, sliding pad

2011 – Lost ability to make horizontal transfers and began using overhead Waverly Glen lift.

Sewed pants that velcroed around me after being lowered onto them.

Hired part time caregiver for showers ( no longer safe to do on my own).

Lost ability to drive, began relying on the bus.

Hired second caregiver and greatly expanded their hours to daily as Beth also needed help.

2012 – Beth began hallucinating.

Moved both of us to assisted living and put home up for rent.

Beth died of respiratory failure due to myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Lost most strength in arms, began using mobile arm support.

Leveraging Your Assets by Employing Muscles Still Willing to Work

Bathroom, Bedroom, Clothing, Crafting, DIY, Daily Living, Kitchen, Office, Outside 1 Response »

Nov 292010

Teddy Roosevelt had it right. He said “speak softly and carry a big stick”. Well, I speak softly (due to weak muscles caused by IBM) and I carry several big sticks to compensate for my weak hands and fingers.

In an earlier post I showed a simple hook for opening drawers and lifting soft drink cartons. My next most used tool is a ” hook on a stick”. It also takes advantage of muscles I still have to overcome the loss of others.

An all purpose stick made from a dowel and hardware store hooks.

Here are some of the ways I used it yesterday:

Guide my shorts over my feet and up to my knees.

Pick up the towel I dropped outside the shower.

Push dirty clothes into the washer.

Pull clean clothes out of the washer and put them in the dryer.

Pull dry clothes out of the dryer.

Pull open the bottom drawer of my dresser. (Lift out a pair of underwear and a pair of shorts.)

Open the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Pull out a pan from the cupboard.

Push open the lid of the trash can.

Pull the trash receptacle out from the wall.

Pick up a 12 pack of Cokes.

Rearrange items on the shelves of my studio.

Pull the front door closed.

Release the parking brake on my van.

Engage the parking brake on my van.

Besides pulling on pants, my stick is great for closing doors.

Obviously a tool this valuable can’t be limited to just one. I have nearly a dozen of them throughout the house and in my van. Fortunately they are quick and inexpensive to build:

You can make a valuable stick with just a few dollars in materials.

Materials: A dowel (3/4 to 1 inch), and two hooks.

Cut the dowel to the desired length.

A dowel with a pilot hole slightly smaller than the hook threads.

Drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the hook threads.

Drill a hole at each end.

Screw in the hooks. Even in my weakened condition, it takes less than half an hour, and saves a lifetime of aggravation.

A dowel with a hook screwed into the end.

Tighten the hooks in each end of the dowel.

A Can Opener That Can (or can it?)

Daily Living, Kitchen 1 Response »

Oct 282010

I used the OneTouch® Can Opener on my favorite soup - albondigas.

Preface: The day after I posted this, my can opener really jammed. I’ve seen other reviews about this problem, but I chalked them up to operator error. Now I’m not so sure. I still like the product, and it’s opened dozens of cans for me, but my endorsement is no longer so glowing.
If you have weak hands and fingers, you may have shared my frustration with can openers. The ones that sit on the counter have a major flaw: they expect you to hold up the can with one hand while you press down a lever with the other. Unless I was opening a 6 ounce can of tomato paste, I found that an impossible assignment. So when I found the OneTouch® can opener on Amazon I just had to share it with everyone. I have included a video, because it is almost impossible to describe in a believable fashion how easy it is to use this device. In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that once or twice it seemed to grab hold of a can and not want to let go even after it was through cutting. But after a little fussing with it, I managed to persuade it to let go.

When Life Gives You Lemons ...

Daily Living, Kitchen, Outside 2 Responses »

Sep 262010

Make some accessible lemonade!

Picking lemons from a wheelchair takes a long reach.

When disability forced us to leave our condo and buy a single story home in a “seniors” neighborhood, it came with a large lemon tree in the back yard. Now we all know that famous cliché that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. However, when you’re in a wheelchair, it’s not that simple. You need tools! To begin with the lemons are 10 to 20 feet overhead, far out of my reach. Fortunately, our gardener recommended that we purchase a basket style picker with a long, extendable, handle. I have used it for the last four years, but this past season I have found it difficult to reach high in the tree because my arms and shoulders are too weak. So that means I needed something else: a good neighbor. We are very fortunate to have a couple next door who will drop whatever they’re doing if they see I need help. Good thing, because the rest of this article wouldn’t have been written. (Not enough lemons.)

The next thing you need is a way of cutting the lemons in half so they can be juiced. I don’t know of any miracle devices, but I do know that a very sharp knife is much safer than a dull one. It is also good to have a handle that won’t slip in your hand when you have weak fingers or a weak grip. For me, the answer has been the Professional series of Good Grips Chef Knives. The one I used was a 6 inch model. It cost more than the regular Good Grips knives, but it holds an edge far longer and can be sharpened to a keen edge. (Use a steel, not a “sharpener.”)

Finally, there is the really hard work of juicing lemons and then stirring them together with sugar and water and ice. Once again, technology comes to the rescue.

An all-in-one lemonade maker.

Our Presto all-in-one lemonade maker takes much of the work out of the process. I just put water ice and sugar into the pitcher. Set the mechanism on top, apply the lemon and the juice goes into the water below. At the same time, a paddle extends to the bottom of the container and spins. By the time you have juiced all the lemons, the lemonade is ready. Unfortunately, I coldn’t locate this model at Amazon (internet shopping is another energy saver for the disabled) but they sell a similar product – the Salton Lemonader.

Accessible lemonade - tastes great, less stirring!

Here you see the results. I had to take the picture quickly because I drank three glasses of lemonade immediately afterward. Delicious!

A Jar Opener that Works for Me.

Daily Living, Kitchen 1 Response »

Sep 182010

From time to time, I will review products that I have personally found to be useful. A long-time aggravation for me has been trying to open jars. When you have no grip strength, mechanical clamp style gadgets don’t provide much help. On the other hand, I have been skeptical of so-called “miracle” products that you see advertised on television.

But this one, the “One-Touch Jar Opener” was just too tempting not to try it. I ordered mine from Amazon and was very happy to find that it was a well-built and powerful item. I have watched it open dozens of containers over the past few months – everything from pickles and olives with very wide mouths, to small cap items such as liquor bottles (for medicinal purposes only of course). The instructions say that you should not use it on plastic bottles, but I have opened many a juice container made of plastic with no problem whatsoever. Since it is battery powered, it requires only enough strength to place it on top of the container. You press the button for a couple of seconds to get it started and then let go and it does the rest on its own.

I’ve provided a link here if you want to check out the item on Amazon.

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