Are you living with a non-functional hand or limb difference disability, like me? Imagine having a limp hand with no feeling or strength to grasp objects, when suddenly you’re able to hold a drumstick, and jam again. This piece will highlight several innovative assistive devices designed to help many with disability related limitations, “get a grip”. Aside from being extremely beneficial, these gadgets are just plain cool. Have a look for yourself.
Active Hands – In the Kitchen:
Have you ever had to hold a jar or bottle on the floor between your feet, just to get the top off? I certainly have, and I’d imagine, I’m not alone. One accredited British company, “Active Hands”, has a whole line of kitchen utensils to make culinary conquests a breeze to achieve for people with limb difference, and other disabilities. The “Belliclamp Jar and Bottle Holder”, securely holds any jar or bottle for easy opening, making my feet obsolete.
For me, opening a package of food, often ends with the counters and floors covered in frozen peas, and the package shredded. “Nimble”, the one finger package opener, gets the peas to the pan with no need to sweep the floor afterward. As I looked at the plethora of “Active Hands” gadgets, I saw so many that would make my KP duties much easier and more enjoyable. Whether you have disabilities, or not, I’m sure there’s a few of these items that may benefit you.
Some of their other offerings include: The “all-purpose” 90° handled knife, the “one-handed palm peeler”, and “one touch can opener”. The “Spillnot” and “Topple Tray”, use gravity to prevent spillage when carrying one-handed. The “sandwich prep” and “food prep” boards, hold the item you’re cutting, grating or spreading onto, drastically reducing time and effort in the kitchen. It also keeps the food off the floor. Never mind my two front teeth or a brand-new bike, these items are at the top of my wish list. You should see how mangled my toast and sandwiches get after pinning them down with my numb knuckles.
If you’ve never made a fist and wrapped it up with tape before you groom, you’ve probably never thought about how people with hand function disabilities, cut the fingernails on their functioning hand? Active Hands, has that too.
At Work, Play, or the Gym:
A selection of small, and general purpose gripping devices, attach to the hand, helping people with a variety of physical, and neurological disabilities hold onto things like: kitchen utensils, paintbrushes, fishing poles, and the aforementioned drumstick. “Active Hands” even offers a gym bag, filled with multiple hand gripping devices to make holding on to any gym apparatus, “no sweat”. It’s too bad I played guitar instead of drums. It would be great, if there was a device that could help to restore function in my fret-board hand… or, is there?
Saebo -Innovative Therapeutics
In the US, the cutting edge North Carolina company, “Saebo”, offers a wide variety of “innovative evidence-based” assistive, and rehabilitative training devices. The company began with two occupational therapist, and a stroke patient with diminished hand function. Over the last 20 years, they have become a “leading provider of neurological rehabilitation programs and education”, even offering free stroke rehabilitation exercises online.
Among their many contributions to help people with hand, arm, and shoulder function, as well as pain and neuropathy issues, are the devices resembling a robot hand; depicted above and below. “Saeboflex”, a “dynamic hand splint” designed to rehabilitate and revive function, help overcome spasticity, and help stroke or traumatic brain injury survivors grip objects. These devices require the participation of the patient’s OT, PT or other medical professional and cannot be shipped without the exact measurements taken by the patient’s provider.
Its counterpart, the “Saeboreach”, appears to be identical, with the addition of a second cuff mechanism attached above the elbow. The previously listed price tag of $1740 for one of these items, was recently reduced to $599. If I could afford one, and if it would revive just a fraction of function in my fret-board hand, it would be a very small price to pay.
Whether you’re trying to regain function, whip up some vittles, play the drums, or just hold your craft beer, have a gander at these gadgets. I certainly wish I could get my “hand” on a lot of these items… then, teach myself to play drums. Grab life by the “you know what” and rock on with the help of some of these devices.
Not an endorsement or advertisement. OutOfExile_IDR is not affiliated with “Saebo” or “Active Hands” and has not been compensated, but;
If either would like to hook me up with the Saeboflex, the drumstick grip, and some of those dandy kitchen gadgets, I’d be more than happy to test and review them. Cash or gold bars are also acceptable.
OutOfExile_IDR™ – © 2024
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In-line product images from the Active Hands and Saebo websites links below.
Links:
Active Hands – gym, kitchen, and small object gripping devices: https://activehands.com/product/limb-difference-aid/…
Active Hands kitchen gadget demonstration and pasta bake recipe 3:41: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3J9LYvQlcs
Saebo – Saeboflex and assistive devices: https://saebo.com
Saebo Free Stroke Rehabilitation Exercises: https://www.saebo.com/pages/stroke-exercises-for-your-body
