Customised technology

A Rowland Emett contraption

Wheels

 

Thanks to my friend and blog-follower in Surrey, England for sending me this link in response to my posting on Little Princess’s customised wheelchair –  

http://www.change.org/petitions/nhs-wheelchair-services-nationwide-to-provide-complex-wheelchairs-to-everyone-with-need-for-them

‘This is important because everyone with a disability is different and each disability affects an individual in different ways. Each and every wheelchair user needs a wheelchair to suit THEIR needs. Not everyone with mobility needs can have an independent life in a 'basic' wheelchair. It seems to be a postcode lottery but generally speaking basic manual wheelchairs and basic power-chairs are all that the local NHS Wheelchair Service will provide. Some individuals with complex conditions can get complex wheelchairs on the NHS but sadly this is not the case for everyone, it is decided locally by local managers many of whom lack sufficient training or experience.’ 

Arms and legs

Thank you to Andrew Sutton for leaving this link on my blog recently –

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/amputee-jamie-andrew-makes-homemade-3663452

Magnets to keep feet on pedals, what a brilliant idea! Why have I never thought of that?

I have already sent the link to our shoe, bike and wheelchair man so that next time we are negotiating aids to customise a bike we have this to refer to. The magnets could also work in some cases as a reminder to keep feet on the foot-board of a wheelchair.

Watch this space!

 Arms

One more link, this time courtesy of Dean’s Stroke Musings, (http://oc1dean.blogspot.de)  –

http://news.discovery.com/tech/robotics/wearable-robot-arms-are-here-to-help-140602.htm

Some things never change but sometimes some things should

2014 Aimee and Oli

1958 Grauntie Susie and  Grandma Jenny, with Great Great Grauntie and Great Great Grandma

1928, Great Great Grandad, Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma and Great Uncle

Fastening clothes

How many times after having spent a few minutes trying to find an easy way to fit the two parts of a zip together have I wished that I or someone else would come up with an idea and develop it commercially?

How many times do my clients go out in the cold air with their coat undone because they just cannot be bothered to spend time struggling with the zip?

In this day and age I always thought there must be someone out there with a solution.

 And there is. I found that person, or that company.

Zip A Dee Doo Dah

This is just what I have been waiting for all the time that I have been working closely with people with motor disorders and helping elderly people come to terms with less movement and feeling in their fingers –

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2014/02/12/possibly-the-most-radical-innovation-to-zippers-in-over-a-century/

I hope that it gets onto clothing that is within the financial reach of people with disability.

I cannot remember how many conversations I have had with clients, parents of clients and colleagues about the need for something like this.

Brilliant, lets have it out there in the world where it is needed, not only on clothes for athletes.

Notes

Song of the South –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ