Frontpage eigude wheelchair blog

WHAT A WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR 2017!

In October 2016 I had to be transported to the hospital on a stretcher, my wheelchair in tow.

For days I had been lying in that hospital bed when my wife visited and tried to take a seat in my wheelchair. It was placed as usual at the head of the bed. Strangely, it would not move despite the released brakes.

It appeared that a nurse had placed the hospital bed by accident on one of the wheelchair brakes. The brake lever extension reached about 5 cm beyond the wheelchair and must have been in the way. When we learned that the frame had been damaged and there were no more spare parts available for this old wheelchair, I was close to tears. All the special parts and modifications: Speedy Electra/Bike, Stricker Bike, Mini-Trac, Free-Wheel, mountain bike wheels and – most importantly it fit on to the loading system of my car! Not to mention all the other special equipment (see older posts). What we have been through together… 500 blogs on the www.eigude.de by now!

There I was – dwelling on my total economic loss! After eight years we had built quite a relationship (sniff)!

Damage report was written, lots of phone calls were made. I spare you the details.

About three weeks later the clinic insurance asked to see invoices. Well, I had none because the wheelchair had been issued by my health insurance. They could not produce any papers either and since it was so old simply suggested to get a prescription for a new wheelchair. It would be handled between the insurances, nothing more required on my part.

On December 24th my first Christmas present arrived in form of a reimbursement confirmation for my supposedly new wheelchair. I was pleased!
Two weeks ago it was ready for pick-up at the sanitary supply store. We immediately switched a few parts over from the old one to the new Rolli (took 2.5 hours). The next day I already had to fill air in the tires and the day after I finally had a flat. The first flat tire in nine years!

Now look at what I have to get around with (click here).

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Frontpage

We Quadriplegics (Teddys) Love Tootpaste Tubes!

Every morning starts with the spirited bite into the screw cap.

As long as the tube is still full you can manage to get something out most of the time, even without finger function. However, at some point you don’t need coffee anymore for breakfast because proportional to the decreasing amount of toothpaste left in the tube the blood pressure rises.

You all know those plastic clips for sealing bags (see older post).a>

Now with this clip I can get a pretty good grip of the tube.

After removing the screw cap from the tube place it on the sink and squeeze it with one hand.

No need to empty the tube at once .

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Wie HOW DO I (WITHOUT FINGER FUNCTION) PREVENT MY SMART PHONE FROM FALLING DOWN?

I never go anywhere without my smart phone, not even in my own apartment.

What could really happen there?

t happened a few years ago in my office that I rolled over a 220 Volt extension cord and got caught in it. The cable got wrapped around the wheels and I could not move forth or back. I was only a few centimeters away from both my phones, mobile and landline. I felt like a ship that ran aground! It took me about 2 hours to free myself. Waiting for the “flood” might have helped I.
Since I am not able to pick up a phone from the floor I should certainly avoid letting it fall.

When sitting in my wheelchair I always have a smart phone on a key chain around my neck. A few times I did have to dial 911.

We punched two holes in the cell phone case, one to attach the key chain and the other one to insert my index finger for support because I cannot entirely hold the phone on my own.

You all know those smart phone pockets, the ones that joggers wrap around their upper arms.

Take such a pouch and shorten the sling so it fits around your forearm.

Now you can operate your smart phone with the other hand without the risk of it falling to the floor.

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Wheelchair auxiliary snow chains

A creative Berliner

has mounted tie-wraps to his bicycle tyre so that he can better ride on snow and ice.

Self-made tie-wrap wheelchair snow chains

This probably works with wheelchair tyres as well.

He also rides on Schwalbe Marathon tyres, like most of the wheelers.

Have a look yourself, ingeniously simple and cost-efficient!

Link: Video at Spiegel-Online

Just try it out and write a comment.

In Frankfurt there is no snow anymore, so I can’t test it!

Thanks to Hajo for the info.

However, I wouldn’t ride across the parquet floor any more.

Read this old blogpost and exchange in winter right and left wheelchair tyre if necessary:

Link: Running direction of “Schwalbe” tyres

I assume no liability for this tip!

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It’s all a question of hardware…!!!

Today I was on tour with my Minitrac (see older blogposts) for the first time in the snow.

With its tractor tyres it is a perfect technical aid.

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remote-controlled electrical sockets

as useful technical aid. I am using these things for years to switch my

Christmas Tree lighting

on and off. Since a couple of weeks my living room lamp gets switched on by a ghostly hand. I think it’s quite funny, a neighbour is probably using the same frequency!

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Empty detergent bottle to be used as “One-Hand Salt Shaker”

The topic of how to get through winter in a Rolli has been on my mind for quite a while (see earlier articles).

In one of these former articles, I advised putting salt in front of your car before the snow arrives, so that the wheelchair would not slip away while getting in and out.

I always salt my wheelchairramp (ski slope) at the front door at the same time.

One can easily imagine how “professional” it looks when a wheelchairdriver balances a bucket full of salt on his knees and tries to spread it on the driveway. This really does not work well!

One thing’s for sure, the seat cushion on the chair as well as other “sensitive parts” will no longer freeze.;-)

After years of research the Rollinator team finally found a solution.

One-Hand Salt Shaker

(special wheelchairdriver)

The One-Hand Salt Shaker stands out with its ergonomic form, which allows the user to aim more accurately when spreading the salt using only one arm.

You can pretty much modify any empty liquid detergent bottle. However, I advise against those XXL-supersize bottles because of the excessive weight. During laboratory trials wheels burst and users got thrown out of their vehicles (just kidding).

To fill the salt shaker, a proven method is simply rolling a newspaper, advertisement, brochure etc. to make a quick funnel.

To prevent the salt shaker from dropping you could attach a key chain to the handle and hang the bottle around your neck as some sort of a trophy – but don’t get strangled… !!!

The special One-Handed Salt Shaker is also 98.74 % pedestrian and walking frame user friendly.

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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€

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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

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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 glücklicherweise nicht alleine, sonst würde 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 reißen war.

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

Ich weiß, 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: “Ältere 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 glücklicherweise nicht alleine, sonst würde 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 reißen war.

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

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”

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