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Disabled
- What is available to you ?
| We
are all acutely aware that there are varying
degrees of disability and many would argue
about where ' less able ' becomes 'disabled'.
The people in the ' less able ' category
could have disabilities due to age,
angina, arthritis, asthma,
bronchitis,
cramp, emphysema,
hiatus
hernia, insomnia,
leg oedema,
leg ulcers,migraine and headaches,
sciatia,
stress and
anxiety, stroke,
upper
and lower spine pain, varicose veins,
etc. |
Picture
Courstesy of
Home
Supplies Direct
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Then there are
accident victims, amputees and a whole new list
of handicaps and impairments. The Disabled Living
Foundation say; "The most widely used medical
definition of disability was composed by the
World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) in the early
1980's. This definition defines impairment,
disability and handicap as follows:" (
1980's!! time for an update?)
IMPAIRMENT - loss
or abnormality in structure or function;
DISABILITY - inability to perform an activity
within the normal range for a human being, because
of an impairment;
HANDICAP - inability to carry out normal social
roles because of an impairment/disability.
No matter what
category you may have been placed under or where
you feel you fit, quality of life is equally
important and if you are new to this arena as
a disabled person or indeed carer, you will
need to know what is availiable out there, beyond
that supplied by the NHS. Other than mobility
products such as; Turners, Walkers, Quads and
Tripods, we have divided the bulk of the disability
accessories the following:
Mobility Products
such as; Turners
, Walkers
, Quads
& Tripods. Leg
Supports, Furniture & Accessories
such as Tables
and Furniture
Extensions. Bed Accessories such
as Cradles,
Rails
and Back
Rests. Bath Accessories such as Seats,
Boards
and Bath
Rails. Commodes such as Mobile
Commodes and Stationary
Commodes. Lifting & Handling
such as Client
Helper, Slings,
Helping
Hands and Bed
Raisers.
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If you
are seeking advice on any issue relating
to disabilities, we suggest you contact
BCODP.
The
British Council of Disabled People
was set up by disabled people in 1981
to promote full equality and participation
within society. It is an umbrella organisation
that represents some 130+ organisations
run by disabled people. BCODP is the
only national umbrella organisation
to be democratically set up by
disabled people themselves
to represent their interests at the
national level.
They are
seen as the disabled people's movement
in Britain and are recognised by the
United Nations through their membership
of the world disabled people's movement;
Disabled
Peoples' International
(DPI).
BCODP is
extremely proactive as the national
representative body for organisations
controlled by disabled people. Through
the promotion of the social model of
disability, BCODP has had a profound
effect on the thinking on disability
issues in the UK. They are active on
a wide range of issues affecting disabled
people, many of which can be read about
on www.bcodp.org.uk
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Mobility
Products
Picture
Courstesy of
Home
Supplies Direct
What
are Turners? Few are unaware of the health
& safety risks and the economic implications
of backs being damaged in repeated heavy lifting
and complicated twisting actions. A Turner is
an aid for disability carers and care staff
who are routinely involved in moving and handling
disabled people. A Turner is simple to use,
place
the Turner in front of the client and ensure
that the client's feet are placed in the centre
of the turning plate. A comfortable height of
the handle is achieved with a simple adjustment.
Benefits are that they are safe for people with
disabilities and gentle on the carer's back
With
the Samhall
Client Turner
an ergonomically correct working position is
achieved when assisting a client in a transfer
from one seated position to another.
Grip
the handle with both hands and place one foot
on the brake pad on the turntable. Request the
patient to grip the handle and then rise to
a standing position. Counterbalance the weight
of the disabled person as required.
The
Turner is the aid that is specifically designed
to:
1.
Reduce the risk of back injuries.
2.
Reduce the number of carers required in a transfer.
3.
Reduce the feeling of insecurity for the client
in the transfer.
4.
Simply an everyday task
Whilst
the client is standing, rotate the Turner into
the correct alignment for the next desired seating
position.
Place
one foot on the brake pad while the client sits
down and counter balance the client's weight
as required.Tilt and remove the turner.
The
new Samhall
Client Turner
has an increased foot plate size, a comfortable
handle and a slow,smooth rotating action - it
exerts a calming influence on the most anxious
of clients. Designed to be used on the more
able clients.
The
Turner can be used on a wide range of clients.However,
it should only be used on clients who can adequately
weightbear and thus stand with support.
Practical
to use in community work The new Samhall Client
Turner "knocks down" with a simple
action for ease of transportation and storage.It
has large wheels that run smoothly on any surface,including
fitted carpets.The handle has a stepless height
adjustment to suit all heights and the maximum
user weight is 150kgs or 24 stones.
Walkers:
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The ideal
all-rounder walker has a modern design
with many practical functions and unique
features. Samhall
Plus
is a completely new type of walker with
a modern, attractive design and many
new practical functions and features
that no other walker on the market can
offer. Samhall Plus is suitable for
most users. The height of the handles
can be variably adjusted anywhere from
72cm to 96cm ( 28.3 inches to 37.8 inches
). Samhall Plus is designed to stimulate
a more upright walking position, which
helps the user not to tire him or herself
out needlessly. More walking space can
be obtained by putting the foldable
seat up, which also makes it easier
to reach in front of the walker to reach
shelves etc. Its compact external dimensions
and good stability makes Samhall Plus
is suitable for home and outdoor use.
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Picture
Courstesy of
Home
Supplies Direct
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A
totally new type of wheels and wheel forks
prevents scratching of door openings etc.T
he unique tread pattern makes Samhall Plus
run as easily on pavements as on gravel, grass,
slush and snow. The integrated back support
has many different functions. It supports
the back comfortably when sitting and can
also be used as a handle, or for lifting the
walker over a curb and as extra security when
folding and unfolding. Samhall Plus is the
only walker on the market that has a folding
mechanism with a double lock. This makes the
walker lock securely when folded or being
lifted into and out of the luggage compartment
of cars and taxis, and of course Samhall Plus
is fully recyclable for the sake of the environment.
| Quads &
Tripods:
The D.M.A
range of quadrupeds
and tripods
are manufactured from anodised aluminium
tubing, with chrome plated steel bases.
They are all fitted with grey comfortable
moulded handles and grey non-slip rubber
tips. All models are suitable for left
and right hand use four models are available
and prices are modest - from £18.50
to £22.50. The
Quadruped Cane
has a small quadruped base 12.5cm (5")
square,for maximum stability and adjustable
from: 66-91cm (26-36")
The Junior
Quadruped Walking Aid As above but in
junior size. Adjustable from 56-74cm(22-29")
and the Infant Quadruped Walking Aid above
but in infant size.
Adjustable
from 48-58cm (19-23")
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