Archive for the ‘Technical Aids’ Category

Technical Aids Tips und Tricks XLVIII

Monday, November 21st, 2016

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FINALLY, NO MORE SWOLLEN FEET…!!!!!

Most of the wheelchair users know the problem with the swollen feet. During the day they swell and at night they go down again. However, this process of up and down was never a satisfactory one and it eventually ended just last summer when for the first time in my eight and a half years in a wheelchair I couldn’t get my feet in to my shoes anymore at all – although these were already two sizes up.

I have never used anti embolism stockings, because as a Tetra with plenty of discomfort in my feet I couldn’t possibly put them on by myself.

 

Sport Lange carries compression stockings especially designed for runners.

 

I have them put on in the morning and wear them if necessary until the next morning. No more swelling of the feet during the day! I cannot remember in the last nine years having had such slim feet. Of course, I don’t want to discourage anyone from wearing their anti embolism stockings but for anyone in the same situation as I, compression stockings are the way to go!

Where to buy:

Online at eBay or Amazon
Sports supply store
Sanitätsgeschäft
or at James & Nicholson for 8.75€

Translator BW

 

Winter Special

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

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Here is a collection of links with tips and odd stories around the subject winter. Sorry, but not all blogposts referred to are translated yet!!! More to follow…

Wheelblades, wheelchairski

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=9362&lang=entranslated!

FreeWheel

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=15468&lang=entranslated!

Put salt next to the car before snow falls…!!!

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=15740

Reflectors and Illumination

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=5699&lang=en translated! http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4162&lang=en translated! http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=882&lang=entranslated!

Moutainbike Winter Tyres

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=1311&lang=en translated! http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4829&lang=en translated! http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=2068&lang=en translated! http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4759&lang=entranslated!

Wheelchair auxiliary snow chains

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4928&lang=entranslated!

Running direction of “Schwalbe” tyres

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=2271&lang=entranslated!

Wheelchair tyre cleaning carpet

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=1328&lang=entranslated!

Wheelchair tyre slippers

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=3298&lang=entranslated!

Christmas Tree remote control

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4397&lang=entranslated!

Special wheelchair for removing snow

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4239&lang=entranslated!

Story referring to the picture

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4582

Miscellaneous

http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=750 http://www.eigude.de/blog/?p=4636 If you have good ideas, as usual e-mail to rollinator@eigude.de

Translator BL

Eigude Shame XXX

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

Qual-ität aus deutschen Landen

Ich berichte bereits seit Jahren darüber, dass viele Hilfsmittel die wir müde Krieger benötigen, weder gut durchdacht noch qualitativ hochwertig sind, das einzige was hochwertig ist, ist der Preis. Eine Patientenwaage zum Beispiel, die zwischen Deckenlifter und Hebetuch gehängt wird kostet über 500 €. Eine vergleichbare in Deutschland hergestellte Industriewaage kostet 56 €. Wenn diese horrenden Preise verlangt werden, man begründet dies oft mit der Vergabe einer Hilfsmittelnummer, verlange ich quasi eine lebenslange Haltbarkeit. Genau dies ist nicht der Fall, ein gutes Beispiel ist mein Duschstuhl, der nicht wasserresistent ist rostet und schon am Vorderrad seinen Reifen verloren hat. (siehe älteren Beitrag).
Jeder kennt die Triangel am Galgen vom Krankenhausbett. So einen habe ich auch zuhause, ohne diesen liege ich wegen meiner fehlenden Bauchmuskeln wie ein Maikäfer auf dem Rücken.

Seit heute 8:00 Uhr bin ich fassungslos:
Als ich mich heute Morgen ein wenig im Bett drehen wollte, riss der Gurt, und ich hatte das Dreieck in der Hand.

Was hätte da alles passieren können.

Ich war glĂĽcklicherweise nicht alleine, sonst wĂĽrde ich immer noch, wie ein gestrandeter Wal, unbeweglich im Bett liegen. An das Telefon wäre ich auch nicht angekommen, auch wenn es “nur” 10 cm neben dem Bett steht.

Als Lösung musste ein Spanngurt vom Auto herhalten.
Ich bin sicher der hält, auch wenn der keine Hilfsmittelnummer hat. Echtes Qualitätsmerkmal so eine Nummer.

Bei der genaueren Beschlechtachtung des Haltegurtes, denn das Wort “gut” hat er nicht verdient, habe ich eine zweite Stelle gefunden, wo der Gurt auch kurz vor dem reiĂźen war.

Insbesondere bei solch wichtigen sicherheitsrelevanten Teilen verlange ich beste Qualität zum Beispiel einen Gurt mit Metallgewebe.

Ich weiĂź, ich bin schuld,…ich habe zu viel Kraft. Ho,…ho,…ho…

Um alle Artikel der “Eigude Pranger-Serie” zu lesen, hier klicken.
Am Ende der Seite einfach weiter mit: “Ă„ltere Einträge”

Qual-ität aus deutschen Landen

Ich berichte bereits seit Jahren darüber, dass viele Hilfsmittel die Behinderte benötigen weder gut durchdacht noch qualitativ hochwertig sind, das einzige was hochwertig ist, ist der Preis. Eine Patientenwaage zum Beispiel, die zwischen Deckenlifter und Hebetuch gehängt wird kostet über 500 €. Eine vergleichbare in Deutschland hergestellte Industriewaage kostet 56 €. Wenn diese horrenden Preise verlangt werden, man begründet dies oft mit der Vergabe einer Hilfsmittelnummer, verlange ich quasi eine lebenslange Haltbarkeit. Genau dies ist nicht der Fall, ein gutes Beispiel ist mein Duschstuhl, der nicht wasserresistent ist rostet und schon am Vorderrad seinen Reifen verloren hat. (Siehe älteren Beitrag).
Jeder kennt die Triangel am Galgen vom Krankenhausbett. So einen habe ich auch zuhause, ohne diesen liege ich wegen meiner fehlenden Bauchmuskeln wie ein Maikäfer auf dem Rücken.

Seit heute 8:00 Uhr bin ich fassungslos:
Als ich mich heute Morgen ein wenig im Bett drehen wollte, riss der Gurt, und ich hatte das Dreieck in der Hand.

Was hätte da alles passieren können.

Ich war glĂĽcklicherweise nicht alleine, sonst wĂĽrde ich immer noch, wie ein gestrandeter Wal, unbeweglich im Bett liegen. An das Telefon wäre ich auch nicht angekommen, auch wenn es “nur” 10 cm neben dem Bett steht.

Als Lösung musste ein Spanngurt vom Auto herhalten.
Ich bin sicher der hält, auch wenn der keine Hilfsmittelnummer hat. Echtes Qualitätsmerkmal so eine Nummer.

 

 

Bei der genaueren Beschlechtachtung des Haltegurtes, denn das Wort “gut” hat er nicht verdient, habe ich eine zweite Stelle gefunden, wo der Gurt auch kurz vor dem reiĂźen war.

 

Insbesondere bei solch wichtigen sicherheitsrelevanten Teilen verlange ich beste Qualität zum Beispiel einen Gurt mit Metallgewebe.
Ich weiĂź, ich bin schuld,…ich habe zu viel Kraft. Ho,…ho,…ho…

Technical Aids Tips und Tricks XLVII

Monday, July 11th, 2016

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Noodle Strainer Hybrid

As I mentioned several times in the past, the function of my hands and fingers equal those of a four-year old armed with gloves in winter.
Since half a sandwich roll, plain without anything on it, already feels like a 5 kg weight to me, daily exercise of the hands and fingers is a must.
I have already tried various hand training tools. The classic soft rubber ball has the disadvantage that because of Isaac Newton it constantly falls to the ground if you spread or stretch your fingers.
More than eight years later I discovered this ingenious hand trainer, also known as a “noodle strainer”. About the expert use of such a devise I shall report in a later blog .

You put your fingers somewhat narrow or wider apart in the fitting holes. Since the inside ring is made of rubber you can quite simply perform hand curls- and stretches. With a slight twist of your arm it is also suitable for upper arm and wrist strength training.
If you want to make sure that the hand trainer does not fall down, simply attach a key band to two holes.
The hand trainer has no aid number and is considered sports equipment which explains the price of currently €29.95 plus shipping. It is available in various strengths levels at Sport-Thieme under Art.-No. 2194224.
To the link: click here

For Tetras like me, who still have some finger functions and people who have severe osteoarthritis this hand trainer is highly recommended, especially because it can be used comfortably while watching TV – no thinking required.

Excessive consumption of pasta might have a positive impact on the aerodynamics of a Rolli, but not so much on its axle load.

To read all articles of the “Tips on Aid Series”, click here.
At the end of the page simply go to: “OLDER ENTRIES”

Translator BW

Technical Aids Tips und Tricks XLVI

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

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It is due to the small fouls that wheelers are exposed every day to new challenges. You are blocked in from the side so that you can’t get into your car anymore, during cleaning the toaster is moved back to the wall, or the installation CD is put out of reach on the cupboard. My last week’s highlight was a beeping smoke alarm because the battery was empty when I was lying in my bed. All this is causing an uncontrollable neuron tornado in my head.

Among my favourites are open windows.

In the summer it’s getting warm and in winter quite cold, if the heater below is not running on full power which I can’t reach either.

There are definitely more important reasons to ring at the neighbour’s door than asking them to close an open window. Grrrrrrrrr…

The do-it-yourself store with 20% on everything except for the parts you really need offers a

Hobbit &wheelchair window closer/

„almost“ usable in their assortment. However, small construction work needs still to be done.

Just take:

  • min. 1 meter aluminium pipe, thickness 12mm
  • 1 meter aluminium flat bar 15m x 1mm
  • 30 cm hose inner diameter 10mm- 12mm
  • 2x screw M4 x 25mm
  • 2x screw-nut, self-locking M4
  • 1x drill 4 mm with drive mechanism
  • Construction tools for screwing, or a set of healthy teeth ;-)

Cost of material ca. 10,00€

Saw the aluminium bar in ca. 2x 36 cm long pieces and pull the hose on one of the pieces.

Drill a 4 mm hole into all sides of the aluminium bars and the pipe centered with a space of 15 mm from the edge.

Bend the aluminium bar with hose oval e.g. using a bottle and bolt it two-sided with screw and screw-nut on one end of the pipe. This is going to be the window side.

The other aluminium bar is going to be the handle. This can be formed according to hand function or artistic freedom oval, square, round or even heart-shaped, main thing is that the bolting on the pipe is not forgotten.

(My white Vespa scooter from 1992 in the picture below with kick starter is looking for a new master!)

The operating mode of the window closer should be comprehensible, but could on special request be explained personally under phone number 00907/40059449665 for only (1.000.000.000 €/min) by “Bernd das Brot”. (Translator’s note: Reference is made to a satirical sketch to spoof call-in shows on TV, (see also other blogpost).)

All open windows can be closed again now.

And how to open them we will learn tomorrow!!!

The certified re-constructor is obligated to send to the Rollinator a Chilli Pizza online.

Contact: rollinator@eigude.de

Translator BL

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXIV

Sunday, February 14th, 2016

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My latest tool – an Overhead Lift

After half a year of “enjoying” free food and lodging in different hospitals while testing their equipment and treatment options, I am now back home. Let me introduce to you my latest support instrument.

As some sort of a “Christmas gift” my insurance kindly approved the overhead lift that I had requested out of necessity because of my increasing restrictions. (A mobile standard patient lift cannot be used in combination with my height-adjustable frame insert.) It took a few weeks of organizational back and forth between my insurance, the medical supply store and the manufacturer – you know how this goes – until the lift was finally mounted at the beginning of February.

The Lift is hanging from my bedroom ceiling and ensures a safe bed-air-wheelchair-transfer with the optional switch between wheelchair and shower wheelchair.

For people with back problems, instead of using belts for transfer I recommend a special lifter cloth.

With the three heavy duty anchors, each 1 ton load capacity, I do not need to be fasting right away ;-)

Translator BW

Wheelchair expedition Sri Lanka Part II

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

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Next we needed to select the airline. Since Sri Lankan Airlines is the only one that offers direct flights from Frankfurt and also because our friend is a flight attendant with them (a few connections can’t hurt – see older Blog: food on wings), this was our choice. Various airlines from the Gulf States also offer flights to Sri Lanka, but of course not direct.

Sri Lankan Airlines allows 30 kg free baggage per person plus carry-on; my wheelchair plus a second one if needed, would also be free.

However, I had to make some phone calls (my “favorite activity” ), until I got the confirmation that both my bathroom chair “Artosy”, which can be folded to fit in a hard case, as well as other medical aids would be carried for free, even without prior notification.

(Up to then I only knew that all expedients must be declared in advance. This info is as always without guarantee.)

In addition Sri Lankan Airlines still wanted some a kind of a medical form signed by my family doctor. Always something new…

The “International Medical Information Form” was what felt like the eighth fax copy of a micro script in English, which was hard to decipher before translation.

For a readable PDF-version of the questionnaire of Air Berlin click here.

Medizinisches Informationsformular (deutsch): Teil I und Teil II

Medical Information Form (englisch): Part II and Part II

Since I needed some additional vaccinations for precaution, and also a certificate for my meds, my Doc got to see me quite often during the weeks before the vacation.

At the end our luggage pile equaled that of an emigration! Between the 4 of us we hauled 5 suitcases incl. bathroom chair, 3 carry-ons, 1 XL-Wheelchair Backpack and 2 oversized women’s purses. Had there been a film crew from VOX, it wouldn’t have surprised me. However, despite shower chair and other tools we still had 30 kg unused capacity. We only declared my Rolli as special baggage.

Yay, 30kg free luggage for Souvenirs on the return flight – … the creditcard might get hot!

To be continued…

Click here to go to older blogs on the subject of “flying with a wheelchair”

To read all parts of the “Sri Lanka-Series” click here.

Translator BL

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXIII

Monday, April 20th, 2015

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Rollinator (Wheelinator)-Smartphone-Charging-Plug-Clip

Ever since I joined the folks on wheels, I carry my mobile phone/smartphone on a lanyard close to my heart ; -)

In the rare event that some cable gets wrapped around the rear wheel of the Wheelchair and therefore vehemently denies me to continue my ride, at least then should there be a phone in range.
I don’t think I need to elaborate about the extremely modest battery life of smart phones. Of course, the battery should always be full when out in the wild.

With my crooked fingers it takes me an estimated three minutes daily to stick the Micro USB charger in to the phone to be charged. I just realized that in the last three years I have rendered two full days of my life to my cell phone plug… just great!

The easiest solution to counter this waste of my time appeared to be in the purchase of a cradle charger. Unfortunately, it was not compatible with the leather cover of my phone.
A few years ago I built a holding device for the TV Magazine with just a small metal paper clip. This gave me the idea (see older post).

The perfect size to hold the Micro USB Plug is 20mm x 10mm x 8mm (0.8“ x 0.4” x 0.3”)

Attach a small cable tie and you practically get to plug it in without any finger function and daily blood pressure increase.

The paper clips (binder clips) can be found on the internet, in the stationery shop or after several days of searching maybe in one of your clutter trays.

For other tips on the subject of “tools for restricted finger and hand movement” like me, click here.

Translator BW

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXII

Monday, March 30th, 2015

Sorry, this entry is only available in German.

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 Barrierefreier Kinderspielplatz in Malta.

Ein tolles Beispiel fĂĽr Inklusion, der Spielplatz wurde 2014 gebaut. Dort hatte ich am Tag zuvor auch ein Kind im Rolli gesehen.

Das mit dem Rolli befahrbare Kletter-SpielgerĂĽst fand ich super.

Die Rollifahrer-Schaukel

war der Knaller, die ich als bekennendes Spielkind natĂĽrlich gleich ausprobieren musste.

Man fährt über die Klappe auf die Schaukel, diese kommt hydraulisch hoch, dann  legt den Sicherheitsbügel um, und dann kann es losgehen / fahren.

Die Schaukel ist klasse und hat einen riesen SpaĂź gemacht, man sollte es aber nicht ĂĽbertreiben….

Bei meinem 360° Überschlag waren leider gerade die Akkus der Kamera leer ;-)

Addendum Technical Aids Tips and Tricks XXXIII

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Sorry, this entry is only available in German.

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Ich hatte in einem älteren Artikel berichtet, dass ich einen eigenen Türspion in Hobbithöhe in meiner Wohnungstür montiert habe, siehe älteren Blog.

Dort fehlte bisher eine passende Abdeckung auf der Innenseite und ich wollte nicht wie meine Oma einen Streifen Leukoplast oder ein Pflaster darĂĽber kleben.

Das Projekt ist endlich beendet.

Es war schon seit Monaten geplant, dass mir ein Kumpel ein Loch in eine MĂĽnze oder in irgendeine andere runde Scheibe bohrt und wir diese dann an die TĂĽr schrauben.

Ich hatte die ganze Zeit den Gedanken, so eine passende Scheibe mit Loch schon einmal irgendwo gesehen zu haben.

Ich fuhr schon seit Monaten ohne zu Wissen, das passende Ersatzteil mit mir rum. Hin und wieder sollte man in seinem Portemonnaie schauen, da gibt es nicht nur das Geld fĂĽr Ersatzteile, sondern auch manchmal das Passende…!!!

Die Ă„hnlichkeit ist verblĂĽffend,… gell…??? ;-)

Ich sollte vielleicht etwas genauer mein Portemonaie durchsuchen, ich brauche auch neue Sommerreifen.

Hier geht’s,…ääh..fährt man zur

Addendum Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXI

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXI

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

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Voodoo Magic … Aliens … help, my belly beeps … ???

Since yesterday my belly tries to communicate with me.

About every two hours I’m getting dubious messages from him that sound like a “Ping, … ahh … beep … !!!”. ;-)

For proof, I have turned on the dictation app on my smartphone and placed it on my belly, hear for yourself the 9 seconds MP3 …

 

What does he want? Cookies, beer, … or is it perhaps my drug pump screaming …

In 2008 a half year after my accident a drug pump was implanted in my abdominal cavity, that delivers the dope via a tube and a needle directly between the vertebra into the cerebrospinal fluid (see older blog).

Without this pump I wouldn’t be able to enjoy life anymore, but it also bears a certain risk.

There are medi pumps with battery or gas pressured. The gas pressured ones have a usability of allegedly 25 years.

Mine is a “built-in” battery-operated pump, the Medtronic Synchromed II type with a drug reservoir of 40 ml, small it is not …

It is implanted under the skin; similar to a breast enlargement I have a very visible belly enlargement.

The pump is programmable from the outside and needs to be completely replaced after 6-7 years, because by then the batteries are empty.

This is inconvenient, but new hardware every few years can’t hurt. ;-)

The alarm of the pump can be turned off with a programming device. Unfortunately, I don’t happen to have one sitting on my shelf.

Translator BW

 

Voodoo Magic … Aliens … help, my belly beeps … ???

Since yesterday my belly tries to communicate with me.

About every two hours I’m getting dubious messages from him that sound like a “Ping, … ahh … beep … !!!”. ;-)

For proof, I have turned on the dictation app on my smartphone and placed it on my belly, hear for yourself the 9 seconds MP3 …

 

What does he want? Cookies, beer, … or is it perhaps my drug pump screaming …

In 2008 a half year after my accident a drug pump was implanted in my abdominal cavity, that delivers the dope via a tube and a needle directly between the vertebra into the cerebrospinal fluid (see older blog).

Without this pump I wouldn’t be able to enjoy life anymore, but it also bears a certain risk.

There are medi pumps with battery or gas pressured. The gas pressured ones have a usability of allegedly 25 years.

Mine is a “built-in” battery-operated pump, the Medtronic Synchromed II type with a drug reservoir of 40 ml, small it is not …

It is implanted under the skin; similar to a breast enlargement I have a very visible belly enlargement.

The pump is programmable from the outside and needs to be completely replaced after 6-7 years, because by then the batteries are empty.

This is inconvenient, but new hardware every few years can’t hurt. ;-)

The alarm of the pump can be turned off with a programming device. Unfortunately, I don’t happen to have one sitting on my shelf.

Translator BW

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LX

Friday, January 16th, 2015

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Low Budget Wheelchair Lighting

It seems to be the general opinion that all wheelchair bound folks have got to be home before dark, which is currently in the wintertime at around 4 pm. Otherwise, those intelligent people who design wheelchairs would show a little more concern about the visibility of wheelchairs in the dark and in traffic.

I can’t fathom that hand-operated wheelchairs only have two tiny red reflectors in the back.
With a little luck there may be some reflective lights somewhere or better yet reflective tires.

I find it controversial that no active wheelchair that I know of comes with a reflector to the front, let alone a front or rear tail light.
I wrote about this problem in former articles (click here).

I recently installed a small red LED tail light that flashes when needed, at the rear of my chair frame. The light is quite bright and it is called Froglight.

Frog or Froglights

Froglights are originally made for handlebars and seats on bicycles. They are available in red and white LEDs and they flash.

For us wheelchair bound folks these little lights are great, because the rubber bands can simply be wrapped around the frame tubes and easily switched on by pressing on them.

They are available for a mere 3.00 € and up on EBay or Amazon.

In addition I attached the reflective tape of a 2.00 € safety vest to my backpack and the backrest of my chair.

Click on the image below to watch a small video that shows how bright the Frogligts are.



Translator BW

 

Low Budget Wheelchair Lighting

It seems to be the general opinion that all wheelchair bound folks have got to be home before dark, which is currently in the wintertime at around 4 pm. Otherwise, those intelligent people who design wheelchairs would show a little more concern about the visibility of wheelchairs in the dark and in traffic.

I can’t fathom that hand-operated wheelchairs only have two tiny red reflectors in the back.
With a little luck there may be some reflective lights somewhere or better yet reflective tires.

I find it controversial that no active wheelchair that I know of comes with a reflector to the front, let alone a front or rear tail light.
I wrote about this problem in former articles (click here).

I recently installed a small red LED tail light that flashes when needed, at the rear of my chair frame. The light is quite bright and it is called Froglight.

Frog or Froglights

Froglights are originally made for handlebars and seats on bicycles. They are available in red and white LEDs and they flash.

For us wheelchair bound folks these little lights are great, because the rubber bands can simply be wrapped around the frame tubes and easily switched on by pressing on them.

They are available for a mere 3.00 € and up on EBay or Amazon.

In addition I attached the reflective tape of a 2.00 € safety vest to my backpack and the backrest of my chair.

Click on the image below to watch a small video that shows how bright the Frogligts are.



Translator BW

 

Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LVIII

Friday, December 19th, 2014

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Eigude Pranger Part XXVIII

Sunday, December 14th, 2014

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