Hi all, I am disabled and it took a long time to get used to it, that areas will be limited and some things are out of being part of my life. Yes, I had to change the thinking first, then the home.
Step two is to change furnishings of the home. If a cupboard was to stay put, I made sure it was solid to the floor no cleaning under or behind it. If furnishings were to be in the middle of the room, I assured they had legs that were high enough to get a dust mop under. All tables I changed to simple, straight and easy to clean.
My handicap is not being able to walk steadily so I sometimes need a walker or cane. I assured there would be spots for these things to park, until used, the less needed things are in low or high places. All rooms and needs are on the same level. Things were in groups and kept together so there was no extra stress added. The phones are in three places, then music is with remotes. I hang little pockets on a string to hold remotes.
I have a favorite chair with many things I use daily; knitting, writing paper, laptop, trash can, Wet Ones, and tissue. I found a organizer for my closets that I could put in at a height that was good for me when I am leaning on the walker. My pantry is also set up according to my needs. Some things I had wheels put on to be able to move bigger things on my own.
I hope this helps others that have to make a change in your life. Life can go on comfortably as long as we think in a healthy meaningful way.
Editor's Note: The photo is a stock image, not of Rain V.
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Whether your disability is permanent or temporary - like after surgery - these are some great ideas. More:
For your walker - make something with pockets to attach to the front of your walker - you'll be able to keep items you need most in the pockets.
Also - an apron with pockets is also great for keeping needed items close at hand.
having a handled basket or bucket in various places with items most needed at that spot helps having to get up and down.
If in bed and you have a bunch of items to keep nearby - water bottle, phone, remote etc - use a large stock pot! It's heavier, it won't tip over and it wont be a bother if anything spills in it.
Coping with things like this is all about looking at things a little differently - using tote bags to move things up and down stairs or around the house instead of carrying them, looking at items you use for one purpose and thinking of it in another way helps to make life so much easier.
THANK YOU!!!!! I AM DISABLED TOO. MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. I NOW KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!
THANK YOU
Good luck with your organizing project. Be sure to tell us which tips helped you the most.
I find that using cloth bags to hold items near where they are needed is helpful, they can be hung on chairs or hooks placed at a convenient height. They are easy to grab and hold onto. Plastic buckets can be useful to store items in, the handle is useful.
Creativity and thinking outside of the box is the name of the game. After I had my leg amputated there were simply things I had to find a new way to do. A bike basket on the front of your walker works great to move things with you. A front loading washer works great, I put a shower chair in front of mine to sit on to change loads, and used a grabber to get to articles that were at the back.
Hi,It was so hard for me when my life took an abrupt stop. I was working on a pt. when I had a stroke, and I was done.We had to rebuilt a lot of areas w/hand bars. We would've moved if we could've, stairs are still very hard. My husband is my hero, thank god he retired from the service.So we aren't making the money we were, but he's able to do all the things I used to do.
A backpack hangs perfectly on a walker or wheelchair and has lots of pockets
My grandmother had her leg amputated but she was an all-time crafter and she immediately used that skill to make her life easier. Here are two examples of things she worked out herself. She had to exercise walking with her artificial leg a few hours each day. To do this she needed to be sure she would not slip and fall as she was living alone. She stuck a rubber protection to the end of her walking cane, a rubber protection which is normally sold to be stuck on the feet of a chair to protect the surface of the floor. She also stuck at the end of her grabber a magnet which she used to pick up needles or metallic items too small to be caught by the grabber and the most important was that she was proud of this and she would demonstrate to us every trick she had found. It helped her in her daily life and it helped her keep on thinking that there was no problem she could not fight back.
I use a walker with a seat around the house because I always have to move something from one location to another and since my hands and arms are busy with mobilization this works great! Also in getting groceries from the car into the house I can load four bags on that same walker that is waiting for me in the garage 2 where I left it.
I have used a rollator since 2011. I live with 2 dogs and 4 cats and do all my own shopping and a lot of my own yard work and much of my own housework. I keep a lightweight rollator in my car and use a heavier duty rollator around the house. I have an older rollator that I use for yard work so that I keep the newer one nice. (Low price rollators can be found checking ads in papers, at thrift stores and at EBAY.)
I buy equine pine pellets for cat litter. They come in 40 lb. bags which I can throw on the rollator and unload from the car. Large bags of pet foods are bought online. Chewy.com and Walmart.com offer free shipping.
A disability can only rob one of a full life if you let it.
Hi Rain,
Thank you so much for sharing this. You cant know how much it means. I have been disabled since before Thanksgiving last year I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 minutes getting lots of therapy. Ive been at home one month
I am wheelchair-bound right now, but I hope to graduate to a walker before too long. You said you were unsteady on your feet and that sounds exactly like what I have.
When I came home from the hospital, I rolled around here, just amazed at how tall everything is. Of course, its standard, and it doesnt look tall to everyone.
I hope to put some of your great ideas into practice before long. I have a severe lack of balance and lack of help.
Again. Thank you.
I always read through all the previously posted tips before I post. I recently made a small cell phone pocket for a lady who was home bound temporarily (several months). She lives alone and took some falls. By making a cell phone carrier she could wear around her neck, she could have it with her at all times, allowing her to call someone if she needed them. She is not ready for (or comfortable with) one of the emergency call buttons, so this was something she felt comfortable using and wearing. Because I sew, I made it out of fabric. In addition I also made a bag for her walker. Don't be afraid to ask friends and acquaintances for helpful solutions. I was happy to provide something I could make and it was deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness to share your solution, and especially for sharing the adjustments you came to terms with. Tears came to my eyes as I read between the lines, easily able to apply each word to my current situation, and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing to let me find you and suddenly not feel so all alone as I cope with my new found disability and vain attempts to keep my day to days the same.... thank you for your words that gently whispered to the struggling before disability younger, prettier, stronger mindset of me that my disability is not a punishment. Your words found me drowning in my sorrows, yanked me out of my pool of pity and slapped some of your can do shine right on my shoulders. Your words saved my life tonight. I dont know who you are but Karma does, and I pray for Favor to walk with you and be upon you for the rest of your days, dear one, for taking the time to share. Thank you.
I'm so happy this article was helpful for you. I wish you the best of luck as you reorganize your life around this new disability. Please let us know if you discover any new tips and tricks that might help a future reader.
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