Monthly Archive for October, 2007

Journalist Sally Young, Formerly an Osteosarcoma Patient, On UK TV

Published
by
Marty
on October 31, 2007
in Recommended
. 0 Comments

with-koala.jpgSally Young, a BBC journalist who writes the blog Out on a Limb , is the subject of a BBC ‘Inside Out’ story that will air tomorrow in Great Britain. Like other ‘Inside Out’ stories, I’d expect that this one will be available on the Internet for seven days afterward, for those of us who aren’t in the UK. (Check the ‘Inside Out’ “Yorks-and-Lincs” tag in the sidebar for the link once the show’s aired.) It should also turn up in the archives next year.

Sally was diagnosed with osteosarcoma just before she was to be married. Her initial chemotherapy failed, and her leg was amputated as a result; the BBC has covered her story, and her blog has covered it in detail as well. Although Sally was told she was infertile, this year she and her husband Pete unexpectedly became parents. In addition to life “out on a limb”, Sally’s now writing about life with daughter Holly.

There’s an excellent interview with Sally on the ‘Inside Out’ site; if you, or anyone you know, is facing a similar situation to Sally’s, it’s well worth reading, as is Sally’s blog.

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Attractive Interlocking Cards for Construction Play

Published
by
Marty
on October 27, 2007
in Games/Recreation and Gifts
. 0 Comments

cards.jpgBuilding structures with playing cards is a fine amusement, but requires an extremely stable surface, a good eye and a measure of simple good fortune. These cards, produced by Eames Office and designed by Charles and Ray Eames, have six slots each, which allows them to interlock securely while minimizing the need for exceptional skill or luck.

From the Eames Office toy page (which also explains the history of the cards):

The images are of what [the] Eameses called “good stuff “, chosen to celebrate “familiar and nostalgic objects from the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.”

The related Eames Gallery offers the House of Cards in several styles and sizes: Small ( 3 3/4 by 2 3/4 inches), Medium ((7 by 4 1/2 inches), or Giant (11 by 7 inches). Quantities and images vary by size; there’s also a set featuring images of Eames textiles.

These visually stimulating cards lend themselves to all sorts of uses. They’d be great as entertainment for anyone stuck in bed (or hospital); as a tool for practicing dexterity and hand-eye coordination; as a cooperative interactive game between people of varied ages; or as a story-telling motivator in a nursing home.

The Eames Gallery online store is bizarre and impossible to navigate, but you’ll probably have to shop there to buy the Giant or Textile versions. If you’re going for the medium or small sizes, try MOMA instead.

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John Callahan

Published
by
Marty
on October 25, 2007
in Games/Recreation
. 0 Comments

cal-satan.gifBlack humor has gotten many a sorry human over a rough patch in life, and I, personally, am not immune to its lure. My dad is ill enough now that his mind has begun to play tricks on him; it works far better for both of us if we look upon these episodes as humorous diversions, rather than acknowledging, on a daily basis, the truth of what this change really means. Emotional survival trumps just about everything in these situations.

In this spirit, I offer up John Callahan. The PC police, the sensitive, and the just plain humorless — all of whom are absolutely entitled to their opinions (and, for that matter, welcome to them)– had probably better stop reading here. Callahan is a master of the absurd, but he’s not exactly over-imbued with politesse.

He is, however, screamingly funny, and brilliant at skewering the idiots, and idiocies, he encounters in life. There’s a website, and a large collection of books. From his website’s “General Store” (”open 24 hours a day, wheelchair accessible”), this description of his book The Best of Callahan:

This book is not for the timid, the easily offended, the politically correct, or your grandparents. It’s for people who like their humor dark . . . about issues Mom and Dad told us were impolite to talk about in public. If you find offense, you shouldn’t have been looking! We’re not the boss of you . . .

That about covers it.

Oh, yeah — Callahan’s been using a wheelchair since an auto accident when he was 21. Those who are both depraved and living with a disability will especially enjoy his point of view. Bon appetit!

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Stainless Steel Gloves for Cutting

Published
by
Marty
on October 24, 2007
in Everyday Gear
. 0 Comments

kev-stain-glove.jpgHere’s another tool for safer digits while cutting in kitchen, yard, or just about anywhere. This glove, made of Kevlar and stainless steel, is available in five sizes and features a three inch cuff — plenty of protection for everyday tasks.

Steve Golden has a review of them up on Cool Tools. It’s well worth reading if you’re considering buying one. (And do note that they not sold in pairs.)

Via Kevin Kelly’s Cool Tools

Related: Tool to Keep Onions and Tomatoes Stable While Slicing

Also: Countertop Vegetable Cutter for Knife-Free Slicing

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Securing Wheelchairs in Vehicles

Published
by
Marty
on October 18, 2007
in Travel and Wheelchairs
. 0 Comments

tie-down.gifIf you travel in a wheelchair, or care for someone who does, you might want to take a look at this website, run by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. You’ll find recommendations for best practices, other suggestions, and detailed information about how to use tie-down straps and locking devices.

There’s also an “Other Factors” page with specifics covering basic information that otherwise might get learned the hard way. (Securing loose items, how to deal with trays, head and neck support, etc..)

Especially useful for those who are new to wheelchair transport, this website is also an excellent refresher course for the old pro. (Or for anyone relying on the incomprehensible leaflets that come with new straps.) A glossary page demystifies some of the jargon, and there’s a useful resources page, too.

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DIY - Small, Sleek Cart for Portable Oxygen

Published
by
Marty
on October 17, 2007
in At Home, DIY, Everyday Gear and Travel
. 0 Comments

Modern portable units have revolutionized the lives of many oxygen users. Unlike the bulky and heavy tanks of former times, contemporary units are quite compact and often can even be worn like shoulder bags. The corresponding increase in mobility has quite literally changed lives, but for many, even the smallest units can be difficult to carry over the course of a few hours.

oxy-cart.jpgMetal carts are easily found and quite common. They’re ugly, though, look flimsy, and aren’t particularly user-friendly. One inventive son came up with this attractive and practical alternative for his mother. The base is a rectangular wooden box with sides just high enough to hold the tank in place. Two sturdy dowels lead from the back of the box to a thicker, horizontal dowel which forms the handle. The wheels are on a simple axle.

The sides of the box drop below the platform so that the cart is stable when upright; it rolls easily whether pushed or pulled. Mom pointed out that the handle was the perfect height for a little support when resting, saying that it felt a lot like having a cane along.

Continue reading ‘DIY - Small, Sleek Cart for Portable Oxygen’

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Ergonomic Pen

Published
by
Marty
on October 16, 2007
in Everyday Gear
. 0 Comments

blue-ergo-pen.jpgWhen hands are injured or stiffened or made clumsy by arthritis or other illnesses, it’s easy to lose the capacity to write. Like speaking a foreign language, pen-and-pencil skills tend to remain sharp only to the extent they’re used regularly. Conventional writing tools can be difficult to grip, though, and holding on to them may require so much concentration that the effort to make notes becomes just too much.

Continue reading ‘Ergonomic Pen’

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Michael Graves Disability Designs

Published
by
Marty
on October 15, 2007
in At Home and Everyday Gear
. 0 Comments

shower.jpgIn 2003, famed architect Michael Graves was struck by a serious infection that left him with paraplegia. Graves is widely known in non-architecture circles for his amusing designs for Target; since his illness, he has begun to design disability aids that demonstrate the sense of playfulness evident in his Target collection.

tub-handle.jpg Continue reading ‘Michael Graves Disability Designs’

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Trekinetic Documentary

Published
by
Marty
on October 14, 2007
in High Tech
. 0 Comments

trekinetic-field.jpgGearAbility readers who live in the UK might want to tune in to London BBC ‘Inside Out’ this Wednesday , October 17, at 7:30 PM. On the schedule is a mini-documentary featuring Trekinetic, makers of a high-tech wheelchair I’ve written about. I’ve no idea what the BBC will say, or how much the K-2 itself will appear, but if you’re at all curious, you might want to take a look.

Once the show has aired, the rest of us can click here to watch it on the Internet. The program will be available for a week after the original air date. This link is to the London ‘Inside Out’ main page; you may have to scout around a bit to find the exact link for this particular episode.

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Disaboom - A Slick, Not-So-Pretty Website Ploy

Published
by
Marty
on October 12, 2007
in Stinky
. 7 Comments

A group of investors has just launched a website called Disaboom.

Don’t mistake this for a website that has people with disabilities primarily in mind. This is a marketing and investment opportunity, and not a very good one. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this language on the “About” page (the italics are my emphasis):

Disaboom.com is the revolutionary solution to the difficulties faced by an untapped market of more than 650 million adults worldwide living with disabilities

and

the first online company dedicated to providing a comprehensive resource to meet this market’s specific needs with customized expertise.

From the Investors/Overview page:

There are more than 100 million adults worldwide living with disabilities or functional limitations today. Founded and designed by doctors and fellow Disaboomers to meet this untapped market[’s] . . .

I don’t know about you, but I always resent being referred to as “this market”. Disaboom’s backers are ready and willing to serve all those vendors who are already bombarding “this market” in TV ads, through the AARP, online, and in targeted ads in doctors’ offices and lifestyle magazines. Getting that ad revenue will benefit Disaboom’s investors (maybe). What’s not at all clear is how this website will serve actual people who live with disabilities.

Continue reading ‘Disaboom - A Slick, Not-So-Pretty Website Ploy’

7 Comments