Ultimately, I developed weakness in my back from Multiple Sclerosis. I noticed a lot of people with spinal cord injuries who would often wear a belt to help stabilize themselves in their wheelchairs.
There is a scene in a prison/robbery movie,” Where The Money Is “with Paul Newman ; he wears a belt around his chest while he fakes being in a wheelchair. (It does work very well, however, in real life.)
We did purchase a wonderful wide “Velcro” closure safety wrap that fits around my upper torso and the wheelchair to help hold me upright. But, after talking with many physical therapists, they advised not becoming dependent on any device because one should try to utilize your back. I had been doing a series of exercises in the cold pool with Styrofoam “noodles “ placed under each arm (like a chair) and pretending I was cross country skiing trying to strengthen some of the back muscles. I also do an exercise with a bar my therapist uses but still my back is very weak as is true with most MS victims.
One of the greatest-support aids discovered to date is called a “breakfast bar” table (As shown in the photo. After surviving hurricane ”Frances”, I got a haircut a “wiffle”). You can get these in various heights (mine are approx. 3 ft high) in most furniture stores (not terribly expensive). They are long and narrow with a lot of space underneath which enables the wheelchair to fit perfectly. I eat, watch TV, read, and talk on the phone while “resting” my arms/elbows freely on the top. We keep one in the living room and one in the family room. I wheel my chair under the table and my elbows give me the support needed. It doesn’t necessarily offer strength to my back, but certainly gives me a sense of security by bracing my upper body. If I had to watch TV or eat sitting at a normal table in a wheelchair without any support it would be very uncomfortable. This “bar” gives me the support I need and at the same time enables me to view different areas outside of the home because I can see thru windows. It is a wonderful piece of furniture for people with limited back strength or anyone, who uses a wheelchair.
Another “assist” I use are on the footrests of the wheelchair. Most footrests are usually made of metal and can be very uncomfortable and cold especially when barefooted.
My wife’s sister ”Happy” mailed us two rectangular pot holder mitts made out of a very thick sheepskin-like material. Not only are they attractive but they provide cushioning and warmth. They also relieve the pressure I used to feel when my feet rested on the hard cold metal. And, they are washable!
By using the Velcro belt when I travel, the tables for support when I perform various tasks at home, and the “foot mitts” I can have a bit of comfort in an otherwise dastardly life style on wheels.
One other helpful item!
When I am in bed, my “Touch-activated” lamp positioned next to the bed on a table is activated by touching the base or the canopy which has three brightness levels-another great invention for the physically challenged. It comes in so handy when I have to see during late night hours.
THE END
