“Little” conveniences

Everyone develops certain little personal conveniences that might come in handy for others. So I wanted to share some of mine and welcome others to share theirs. One or two might pertain to wheelchairs, but if I use something on my wheelchair, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it can only work for wheelchairs.

AIRFRYER
My cousin gave me an airfryer and it’s one of the most helpful things ever!
It’s convenient, fast, usually better than in the oven, etc…..
I’m shaky so I try to avoid the stove or oven. As most people know, microwave food isn’t always good and often inedible but I had to rely mostly on the microwave because I don’t have anyone to cook for me. I’ll bake but it’s difficult positioning my chair to open the oven and still be able to reach. I make tea every day and occasionally Jello shots on the stovetop but I use the back burner and am extra careful because I knock things over and when I lose my balance, I instinctively just grab anything without it mattering if it’s boiling hot or not. My reactions have been altered so my natural instincts take over until my brain catches up. Just making tea, I use a pot holder and hold it at arms distance. It’s not that I’m scared, I just know that if I feel a drop of hot, my natural instincts would just throw it into the wall. I’d end up with a hole in the wall, boiling water everywhere, maybe a broken teapot, burns or worse. My cousin put an automatic hot water dispenser in his sink and it’s such an awesome thing! Saves me from so many possible problems.
An air fryer is not only great for the extreme convenience but whatever you cook is always delicious! Usually better than if cooked in the oven. It’s also healthier and allows me to make real food instead of microwave dinners full of preservatives. I use it almost daily.

CUPHOLDER
Wheelchair companies charge so much for cup holders so I went and purchased a cup holder for a bicycle. It’s velcro so it easily transfers to another chair, walker, etc…..
Unlike most holders specific for wheelchairs or holders with fixed brackets, it’s much easier to attach to most “odd” areas because it’s not a fixed bracket and the velcro is long which is much more accommodating. Most importantly, it’s much cheaper. I also prefer the open air holders that are easier to clean. I feel like the other type is a breeding ground for mold.

MAGNETIC CHARGERS
One of the very helpful things I own is my magnetic charger set. These would come in handy for anyone who is unsteady, has arthritis, any mobility issues, etc…..just about anyone.
I’m including pictures but not a link because although I haven’t had any issues with the set that I have, there is nothing extra special about them that warrants recommending. I know there are a lot of different types and prices. Just search for “magnetic chargers”
The set I purchased came with five charging wires and a container of “plugs” for several different types of charging ports.
Not only is it so convenient but the charging “plugs” are inserted and stay there. A lot of my phones were in good working order but stopped charging. With constant use, the delicate charging ports break easily and it renders a fine, expensive phone useless.
This helps everyone. Even if there are things in your hands, you are holding a baby, cooking, painting, etc….. if you get them close enough, the magnet draws them together.
If you’re out and need to use another charger, just remove the charging “plug”. It is very small so be careful not to misplace it.
My first set lasted years. The new set wasn’t compatible with pieces of the first set. Even though a lot of time had passed, I don’t think any different sets are compatible. So if you need a bigger set for a big family, they do sell them in bigger bundles.
I like that I can have one charger in a room and that same charger works on all of my different devices regardless of what type of charger it needs. A drawback is that I feel like it does charge a lot slower than a standard charger but the benefits make it worth it.

KNIVES
I am shaky so using knives can land me in the hospital getting stitched up or missing a finger. So I often use these knives that are made of nylon. They are very inexpensive. I got my set for under $10.
There are definitely many times that require a metal knife but others don’t. I’m just trying to raise the odds “May the odds be ever in your favor” 😂
Again, I’m including pictures of different sets but not a link because although I haven’t had any issues with the set that I have, there’s nothing about them that warrants recommending them. I know there are a lot of different types and prices. Some are prettier or come with other items like choppers or peelers. Some even come with cut resistant gloves. Just search for “nylon knives”
These come in handy for anyone who is unsteady, has arthritis, has seizures, etc…..

“BUMPERS”
The pool noodles from a dollar store have really come in handy for me on several occasions.
I like exercising and purchased a second hand exercise tower. The pads for the situp bar ripped up so the guy threw them out. I got a pool noodle, measured what size I needed and cut 2. They fit perfectly.
I do this exercise at night with my walker where I stand, do a few standing exercises then get onto the floor and sit. And repeat this many times over.
My elbows were developing big, bruised bumps so, once again, I got a pool noodle, measured it, cut 2 and cut it open on one side to be able to put it on. I put the cut side facing out, otherwise my arms would just keep knocking it off. Then I put them on so I could see the exact places they needed to be cut to accommodate the folding mechanism and then cut that part while they were on. No more bruises!
I also just used a couple to make my Halloween costume this year. I turned my chair into an electric chair and dressed as a convict. Holding a sign that said “freedom of speech”. That right has been drastically silenced because everyone has become so sensitive about everything.

“CABLE”
I haven’t had cable in over 8 years. For tv, I use Pluto free tv. It has anything I could ever want to watch between the very extensive programming and the equally extensive on demand programming. Download Pluto tv. There are several different apps available but I like this one because it has so many options. You can also control Pluto tv through your phone and that is great!
I also have a few streaming services. One being Amazon video. Even though I don’t like them for many reasons, they do offer a discount on prime membership for people who get SSI, disability, food stamps, etc…..

HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD
This is a lifesaver for me. The smaller, standard showerhead was very hard to reach and turn so you get water boarded if you are unable to move well 😂
The handheld shower is easier to move by maneuvering the tubing hanging down and holding it for certain things comes in handy.
Although I don’t have them, they do sell separate holders to place an existing handheld shower lower and they also sell those awesome handheld showers that slide up and down on a bar. Some have double shower heads and some come with two separate holders. Some have short hoses but those with long hose are excellent. I often have to hand wash clothes or certain household items and that is very helpful.
Here are a few examples of the sliding showerheads:

The suction grab bars are very convenient as well:

I have a shower chair but rarely use it. Sometimes I definitely need it for a few minutes. Certain things are really so helpful but I don’t like using “help” unless I have to. No matter how difficult something is, I think it gets easier if you always do it. Use it or you lose it.
I’m rarely in my chair at home either. I have strategically placed things a certain way so there’s somewhere to grab everywhere. So getting around anywhere in my house without a walker is possible when I need to. Some of my acrobatics would probably make my physical therapists faint but most also know that although it’s not the desired way, I’m always very careful. Plus most people know I’m very stubborn and telling me not to do something rarely works.

Anyone who relies on social security or disability knows that it’s a seriously tight budget. So I like saving where I can but I always loved finding savings and deals. Those clearance signs always called to me 😂 People just waste so much money daily and that’s what our children learn so it’s becoming a regular way of life.

I hear women talking about a certain brand name purse, shoes, clothes, jewelry, etc….. I’ve just never found value in “things” like that. I value people in my life and the memories
They see it as bragging but I see it as sad. How do you justify any of that when people are starving, homeless, freezing, etc…..and sad because that kind of thing actually make some people happy.
Now if you told me that you got something “normal” at half price, then I’m interested and impressed. I don’t like labels on people. People label me often. I love being the exception and I love others who are. The different, broken, lost, alone, etc….. Because I have experienced similar. People can empathize and care but there’s nothing like the feeling that you get from sharing similar heartaches with someone