Miscellaneous Aids

Most of the information about the following devices and gadgets has been sent in by independent individuals or organisations. We are happy to bring them to your attention and would be interested to hear any feedback but we can’t be held responsible for their success or otherwise or for any outcome following their use.

We’d love to hear from anyone who knows of other items that can help amputees to live independent lives.

Mirror Box Therapy for Phantom Pain

We have received a message from David Kitchenham drawing our attention to Mirror Box Therapy as a treatment for phantom pain. We’d be interested to hear any feedback from people who have tried it.

Please click here to be directed to the Website where you can find out more about it or contact David Kitchenham: david.kitchenham@gmail.com

The Glidecycle

I’ve been contacted by Jan Harrell about the above invention. We have featured it before as a News item but feel that it is such a wonderful mobility device that it deserved more coverage. Here is an introduction and some background information about it after which you can click on the Website link if you’d like to find out more and see for yourself how liberating these Glidecycles can be.

I am writing to you because I think all organizations working with
amputees should know about a product that is a special mobility device, a
“bicycle” without pedals – invented by a man who wanted to recreate the
flying sensation he felt when he was in a banana plantation in South
America.  There, workers would attach their banana baskets and
themselves to a cable, and, like gazelles, glide down the cable, pushing off
occasionally with their feet.

People with mobility limitations resulting from above and below
knee, and some double amputations.  can often climb out of wheelchairs, leave
behind crutches and literally walk and run upright sometimes faster
than many unimpaired individuals.  It has a zero impact ride.
I am a clinical psychologist working with disabled vets and people
suffering from obesity.  I have watched both groups  regain FREEDOM,
and feel the hope and promise of life, again.  The potential is slowly
being recognized – it is going to be integrated into the Veterans’
Hospital system – but hundreds of thousands who could be helped know
nothing of it, and are languishing in despair, seeing no hope or
meaning for their lives.  The first time I heard of it, I burst into
tears (right in the middle of a session, no less!) for I realized what
it would mean for  amputees. It allows an amputee to strengthen his
body so that he is able to wear a prosthesis without pain.  I have seen
people regain their self-respect, stand tall and proud, feel that they
have gotten their life back, re-enter the work force, reduce their pain
medication, as well as lose substantial amounts of weight.
I have started to represent this company.  I was doing it on a
volunteer basis, just because I am so moved by what this device can do
for people – but I was so involved that they finally asked if they
could put me on staff part time.  If you would like more information on
this, the Glidecycle, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,
Jan Harrell, PhD

Here is the link to the Website for further information: www.glidecycle.com

One Handed Hair Ties

Enterprising upper limb amputee, Holly Franklin, frustrated by fruitless efforts to use ordinary hair ties had resorted to cutting her hair and keeping it short until, with true Bader spirit, she decided to tackle the problem a different way by designing her own. These Hair Ties, called 1-UP Hair Ties, are designed to be used by anyone with upper limb deficiency or reduced upper limb mobility whatever the cause.

As Holly says: As an upper limb amputee, the 1-UP has allowed me to do a pony tail one handed and do away with fiddly, less secure hair accessories such as claws and clips.

To find out more, visit her Website:  http://www.compartmentseventy6.com

You can see a short video demonstration of the 1-UP by clicking on the following link:

http://www.compartmentseventy6.com/1-up/howtouse.htm

I somehow doubt whether this will be the last of Holly’s helpful inventions so watch this space!