Simple Solutions for Everyday Annoyances

Life has its frustrating moments – that’s no surprise to anyone! We have all struggled with some large or small task, only to discover that there was a simple trick that could have saved time and hassle.

mobileWOMEN.org invites you, our readers, to help other women on the go by sharing your simple solutions to these everyday annoyances. Please send your helpful tips and tricks to: wendy@mobilewomen.org

With post polio syndrome and post scoliosis surgery, my arms are much weaker so that putting non patterned, clean sheets on a king, queen, or even full sized mattress was frustrating and very time consuming because I could not hold them up high enough to identify the sides from the ends. One day the light bulb went off and I wrote "top" and "bottom" on the ends with a permanent marker. This is not visible once the sheets are on the beds and it has saved me much energy and a lot of frustration!

How about getting a 3 tiered shelf with wheels? It serves 3 purposes: 1) I put pots and pans and dishes and canned goods on it. 2) If the cabinets are under the counter, once emptied I can put my feet inside and face the counter forward instead of at an angle. 3) It's easier to reach the items from the shelf rather than pulling them out of a drawer.

* For a manuscript all advocacy, self-assessment, and making life easier, contact Susan at swheels@verizon.net

After having many wheelchairs damaged on flights, I had a sign laminated in big letters saying:
"THIS WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT COLLAPSE. THE WHEELS DO NOT COME OFF. PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE AND APPLY BRAKES AFTER STORING BELOW THE PLANE. THANK YOU!"
So far so good, I haven't had any problems.

Doing housework is never easy, but dusting and mopping those hard to reach places, are sometimes impossible. The answer: the Swiffer duster and Mr. Clean floor cleaning mop. Both have long handles and are lightweight. The Swiffer's handle adjusts so you can dust your ceiling fan or top of the fridge. The Mr. Clean floor mop has different pads for cleaning the bathroom or the kitchen floor. The best part is that you toss the dirty pads when you are finished!

I have use of my upper body and can transfer independently using a transfer board except when I'm not wearing pants! When I transfer into the bath or into the pool with just my bathing suit on, I stick to the board. My simple solution is pouring some cheap body lotion on the board with a touch of water and I slide quite easily. I just have to be careful that I don't completely slip off the board!

Another reader wrote in to say that she prefers to use a small towel or washcloth when she transfers without clothing.

I found a solution to my "no binder stays put on me" problem. I have tried 9 or 10 different brands and no matter the width or height, they end up ether down low digging into the top of my thighs or cutting underneath my underwire bras. I finally found the Nancy Ganz's Bodyslimmers Belly Band Brief on an online retailer of intimate apparel I haven't tried the thong version but the regular brief goes just to the belly button (pic looks higher) and does not cut into the waist. Below the belly band area is a regular panty line so no industrial strength elastic cuts into the crotch area. Very comfortable and easy to put on - I love it! You can check it out at:
http://www.sierrablue.com/nanganbodbel2.html

Simple Solution: Dropsy's No More!

I got really tired of dropping things from my lap. I keep small plastic baskets around the house and the office to carry everything from my morning cup of coffee, to books, to my paperwork etc. I got the baskets from my local discount department store (like Wal-Mart). They are about 18 inches by 12 inches, and easily clean up with some soap and water.

I travel frequently and find relying on hotel bath seats can be scary! I usually call ahead to see if the bath seat the hotel provides, has a back rest. Often that is not the case so I have to bring my own. I have found that a collapsible camping chair works for me. They are made of a nylon-type fabric, come in an easy carrying case and are very affordable (usually around $12.). If I lose it or it starts to get ragged, it's not a big expense to purchase a new one.

Please note: Due to the design of this chair, some people may find transferring into it difficult and dangerous.

Do you miss pantyhose but find when you struggle to put them on they look like they have been through a paper shredder? Do you want to wear pantyhose but avoid it because it would be too difficult to remove every time that you need to use the restroom? Believe it or not, spray on silk stockings now exist! Air Stocking is just one of the several brands on the market. They come in several colors and are water resistant. We haven't tried them yet so give them a shot and e-mail us at wendy@mobilewomen.org and let us know what you think.

I have difficulty putting on my own lipstick. This little problem escalates into a bigger problem when I go on a date. I want to look my best but don't really want to ask my date for assistance. I've tried the long wearing lipsticks but they never seem to last for me. I finally found the solution - lip stain! It is a liquid that comes in a lip gloss tube with an applicator, available in a variety of colors and literally stains your lips. It lasts an entire evening but be careful because if you go out of your lip line when applying, you'll have a smudge mark all night too! Try www.sephora.com for different brands.

Have you noticed a lot of the stylish summer shoes lately are backless? They look great, are comfortable but are also off in a second when you transfer or spasm! I decided that I wasn't missing out on this fashion trend so I bought a pair and took them to my local shoe repairman. I had him attach a clear strap (like the invisible straps on some Victoria's Secret bras) that I can slip on the back of my heel. Just be careful that it's not too tight and there is room for swelling in the summer heat!

I am a C5/C6 quad using a manual chair. I'm a complete type A personality. I'm a neat freak!!! Trying to use a regular sized vacuum in my chair was so exhausting and time consuming. And sweeping? LOL....I found this cordless sweeper. It is so much easier to use with my limited hand function. It only weighs approximately 6 lbs. It is perfect for everyday clean ups. It goes from carpet to hard surfaces and is really powerful. This "stick vacuum" replaces my large vacuum and my broom. Plus, it is fairly inexpensive.

I am a quadriplegic and do not have hand function although I'm able to use wrist extension to pick up some items. I was so frustrated waiting for others to tweeze my eyebrows that I decided to find a way to do it myself.

I purchased a pair of tweezers that look like small scissors from the drug store. Next I set up a magnified mirror on an accessible counter top. Making certain my brakes were locked, I leaned on my elbows (or if necessary, use a chest strap to prevent you from falling forward) to look in the mirror. Next, I put my thumbs through the big holes. After several attempts, I finally managed to tweeze some stray hairs. It's not easy at first but with patience and practice, I have improved tremendously.

mobileWOMEN.org realizes their are special considerations on the topic of hair removal for mobile women and is presently researching this area to write an article. Keep an eye on our "BEAUTY & FASHION" section for the article. If you have any advice or experiences with hair removal that you feel would be beneficial to share with others, please contact wendy@mobilewomen.org.

I use prosthetic arms and have great difficulty lifting and opening heavy jars like pickles etc.

After a trip to the grocery store, I have help with putting contents of heavy jars into lightweight tupperware plastic containers that are easier to open and handle.

I have no movement in my fingers but I do have wrist extension. Needless to say, zippers were extremely difficult until I discovered fishing line.

Get someone to cut a small piece of fishing line, approximately 3-4" long, and feed it through the pull on your zippers. Then form a loop by tying a knot so that you can slide your thumb through to pull the zipper up or down.

The fishing line is cheap, strong and barely visible - what more could you ask for?!

I am quadriplegic due to a spinal cord injury. When I first was injured I used intermittent catheterization but it was very inconvenient. Every time I needed to empty my bladder, I would have to find a place to lie down and then undress. So I switched to an indwelling catheter. After years of continuous UTI’s, my urologist insisted I switch back, but I was concerned about how restricted I would be.

Fortunately, a girlfriend of mine had a great idea! She suggested I find someone to sew either velcro or a zipper in the crotch of my slacks. A seamstress opened the inseam about 8 inches and then sewed velcro on each side. You can get several colors of Velcro and if it’s done properly, you can’t see it at all. You can also use zippers.

It works perfectly! Now, every time I catheterize, I move my hips forward in the chair just far enough to be able to open the Velcro, and voilà! No more having to find a place to lay down, transfer, and undress, which saves valuable time, not to mention dignity!.