Ideas for Daily Living
Rice Paddy Foot Warmer -- link to diagram
After asking about what to do about cold feet, I remembered I had made a warming pad for a friend with FA, years ago. I headed out to the fabric store today and bought 1/2 yard of a cute cotton print, and a 1/2 yard of a light weight polar fleece to make a cover for the pad.
Finished foot warmer will be about 18 inches square.
When I got home, I sewed the selvages together on the cotton and turned it right side out and pressed it flat. I then stitched midline from the fold to the selvages, to divide it in halves. I made "channels" by stitching side to side, across my midline stitches, and leaving the ends open. I made about 6 channels, but it isn't critical how many. I didn't want the rice stuffing to shift to leave empty areas. Then I took basic old dry rice, and a bit of rosemary leaves and some lavender and mixed them together in a bowl. I put about 1/2 cup of the mixture into each channel on one side. I waited to do the other half until this side was finished. Being careful not to spill, I took this back to the sewing machine, and rolled the open edge to close it and top stitched it to seal it all together. I lay the pad flat and smoothed out the rice evenly and then carefully smoothed the rice away from the middles of the channel so I could stitch one more row across them (in the same direction as the "midline" stitches) to hold it in place even better. I repeated these steps with the other half or the pad.
I took the polar fleece and made an envelope by folding it up at one end, enough to cover the rice packet, and stitching the side seams on that area. That left a long piece as a flap. I left that to either put under her feet, in bed, with the rice packet over her feet, or over her feet if the rice packet is under her feet to help hold the heat in.
Note: There should be a dotted line in picture 2 from the top line to the bottom
line seam to fold. --Wendy
Bathroom Adaptations - Toilet Arms
My daughter used to have trouble transferring in the bathroom because the arms that
fasten to the lid bolts and rest on the floor using rubber feet would move around and lift
as she transferred. Not having a solid frame to work from was scary and dangerous. Here's
an easy way to fasten the feet of those toilet arm supports so the feet don't lift up
under use and the frame will be solid:
- In the plumbing section of a hardware store you will find a cast iron floor flange
used to anchor outdoor railings. The part looks roughly like the classic martian
spaceship; round, flat on the bottom, a half inch or so circular flat area on the outside
of the other side (4 mounting holes are spaced equally around this area, the center of the
other side is rounded, and there is a threaded hole through the center (half inch
pipe thread).
- Take the floor flange to the electrical section of the store and find a compression
fitting. This is a cylindrical piece with a half inch pipe thread on one end (comes with a
nut; throw it away) and the other end will properly force fit into the floor end of the
arm (take off the rubber foot first!).
- You'll need wood or concrete screws for the flange while you are in the store. I only
used 2 per flange but the bigger you are the more screws you'll need (my daughter is a
lightweight).
- Be sure you take one of the arms with you to the store to confirm the fit while you are
there.
- On installation:
* Screw the floor flange and compression fitting together, put it on the floor in an open
space and then push the arm down onto the fitting using small circular movements at the
top of the arm while pushing to help the progress. If you are a nitpicker (like me) align
the mounting holes to the arm before you push the arm on so that the hole pattern will
look straight/square/nice when you put the arm back in place.
* Now reinstall the arm to the commode and adjust the arm to the best height/angle. Now
screw the flange to the floor.
-- submitted by Paul Konanz
pkonanz@prodigy.net
Ironing
Yesterday I got the "Iron Quick Ironing System." It is advertised to 'cut
your ironing time in half'. I don't know about the rest of you, but it takes me
forever to get something ironed and I've been avoiding it as much as possible. This
'system' includes a reflective heat ironing board cover and an iron 'shoe'. It was kind of
tough for me to get the self adhesive ironing board cover on, (perhaps this should have
been done by a non-ataxic person) but the ironing part is a breeze with this stuff. I
highly recommend this to EVERYBODY. Especially those parents worried about their ataxic
kids at college or even just fiercely independent types.
I got it from Sears. They call it 'The original Iron Quick System'. It is also
available on the internet for a slightly higher price, plus shipping, as "Iron Wonder".
:)Joan jmdestiny@earthlink.net
I have seen this advertised at Target.--Sue Kittel
Ankle Braces
[1998] My son *Aaron-21, who has FA , has been having trouble with his transfers because his
ankles sometimes buckle. We have found some ankle splints/braces that are really helping.
They are called "Sure-Step" articulating ankle/foot
splint. His orthotist
said that they are especially helpful for varus-valgus control of the ankle. I guess that
means that they hold the ankle firm side to side, but still allow for flexion of the toes
up and down. Our insurance covered them with a doctors prescription, but for someone who
doesn't have insurance coverage, they would be $62.00, at the clinic we went to (Rehab
Designs of America). They are molded plastic with foam/felt liners that can be replaced.
There is a hinged molded heal plate that is attached, as well as two velcro closures.
I'm not endorsing this product for everyone, but they sure were
the right thing for Aaron at this point in time. *Note:
as of 2004 Aaron is wearing AFO's that fit high calf.
They are manufactured by:
Joint Solutions, Inc.
2650 Walnut, Unit H
Tustin, CA 92780
USA
(714) 731-8359
Sue Kittel kittel@webaccess.net
*Note: Brianne Konanz has used Sure Step ankle braces, as well.
Ankle Restraints for Wheelchair
Brianne used these for some time to stabilize her ankles. They worked
well.
http://www.bodypoint.com/products/lowrbod_pos/anklehugrs/cont.htm
-Paul
Compact Wheelchair Footrests
On the subject of footrests: Yes I agree that because footrests add considerable length
to the wheelchair, decreasing it's maneuverability, it is tempting to leave them off
indoors. The downside is that while your toes or the balls of your feet may still rest on
the floor, your heels (or at least mine) do not. As we should sit with our heels slightly
lower than our toes, this is bad practice, and will encourage your calf muscle to contract
and the toes to point.
I've got two suggestions....I use an ergonomic footrest beneath my computer desk to
keep my feet raised in the correct position. I got my dad to make a footrest from a piece
of thin rope threaded through a hard plastic tube (cold water pipe) about 14" long.
The rope has a loop at either end and hangs onto the normal footrest support bits leaving
the pipe about 2-3" off the floor. I can rest my feet on the pipe in the normal
"out in front" position or they will tuck beneath when necessary for moving
through tight spaces.
Chris cp@ataxia.org.uk
Hanging Towels with Velcro
Just thought I had I share a handy hint using velcro that I saw. I recently went some
friends' place for dinner (they are not ataxic or anything either!) and I noticed a strip
of velcro (the 'hooked' side) fastened to the wall in the kitchen. I asked what it was
for, and they replied "tea-towels".
Apparently they just "slap" towels and cloths in the general directon of the
velcro and it sticks - when they want to use it again, they just pull it off and slap it
back again when finished! I thought this idea was so cool! - and of course the idea would
be so useful for those of us with ataxia too - say in the bathroom, kitchen or even
wardrobe.
I have a large button on a tab tied onto my towels in the bathroom and this tab threads
through the towel rack and then the button slides through a buttonhole on the tab, so the
towel ends up being 'tied' onto the rack - that way it NEVER falls down and is easy to
replace when dirty. However, now that I've seen the Velcro idea, I'm thinking of other
applications for it! (There is of course the problem of the 'hooked' side getting clogged
up with fluff and loose thread, but the advantages I think are better!)
Michael Edmonds (FA), Auckland: New Zealand, m.edmonds@auckland.ac.nz
Followup:
I use the same idea you have of the tea towels with the button etc..., but for my son with
FA, in wheelchair and living alone, I've made his towels with the strap that goes through
the towel wrack or bar, and on the oven door, and bathroom, I've used Velcro, at each end
of the strap, one hook side and one of the loop side, so they close on each
other. When
dirty he pulls them apart, and puts them in the wash and they are easy to re-connect.
I liked the hint on using a wire brush to clean the hooked side of Velcro!
--FAPG Mom
Shoelaces
I started buying thin elastic in black, white and brown to replace shoelaces for my son
now 17(FA). He has been wearing them for many years. He doesn't even have to
untie them, but of course they cannot be tied real tight
and still get them on. Once the shoe is laced just knot the ends. They
look
like most shoelaces too. They work for him, much easier. Sometimes the laces have to
be cut and retied once they stretch out a little. Hope this
helps, very affordable. --FAPG Mom
A commercial product called Speed Laces does
not require tying of shoelaces. They are about $11.00 including shipping to US
addresses.
Back Brace Cover
I have created a cover for the scoli-brace so the kids don't have to wear a t-shirt.
Kids can even wear
tank tops. Those under shirts always slide up and around. If any one is interested
call me or email me.
Maureen or phone 402-571-8143
--FAPG Mom
Deluxe Shower Chair/Commode
We recently purchased a Multichair 5000 (by Nuprodx) as a Christmas present
for the girls. After using it I feel it is a wonderful thing for my husband
and myself. You can go to the following website to view it: www.nuprodx.com
(click on products). We had looked at 3 different products that were
similar. The thing that made this particular chair stand out was that it
was easy to dissemble and travel with. We took it with us over the
holidays and it made the bathroom accessible for the first time at my in-laws.
We had to take out a loan to purchase it but it proved to be a blessing the
first day we had it.
Ruth (FA Parent)
Standing Frames
-- The benefits of using one (example:
EasyStand)
* Prevention of atrophy in the trunk and leg muscles
* Improve circulation to trunk & lower extremities
* Prevent formation of pressure sores thru changing position
* Help maintain Bone Integrity
* Improve digestion, bowel function & regularity
* Reduce swelling in lower extremities
* Prevent loss of or improve ROM
* Aid respiratory, kidney and bladder function
* Decrease muscle spasms
*Strengthen cardiovascular system & build endurance
* Develop/improve head, neck, trunk, upper & lower extremities muscle control
* Prevent or decrease joint/muscle contractures
* Inhibit abnormal muscle tone and reflexes
* Lessen or prevent development of scoliosis
* Aid normal skeletal development
* Develop standing tolerance & endurance to improve/maintain other functional
activity
* Aid in balance restoration through upright posture
* Facilitates a symmetrical posture
Unbreakable Drinking Mugs --
Tervis Tumblers I was in Bed Bath and Beyond and found a
Tervis tumbler--mug shape with a handle and a good
tight-fitting lid. Amazing! Not very cheap but I think
it is going to work. Tervis makes all kinds of
insulated glasses, etc. and they have a lifetime guarantee.
-- Nelda
Medical Bracelets and ID's
Silicone Medical Alert
Bracelet $15.00 post paid
Medic-tag -- USB memory
device on keychain or lanyard $34.95 + s/h
Data-tag --
USB tag $29.99 + s/h
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