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Post by newjess on Sept 10, 2023 5:13:27 GMT -5
Hi all, let me first start off by saying that the twist of fate of my current situation is not lost on me... lol Some of you know me as a dev, some know of the worsening health stuff I've been dealing with. Recently was diagnosed with stage III disc degeneration and arthritis in my C4-C6 and L5-S1 vertebrae, as well as a severely tilted and rotated pelvis. I'm currently being treated, but it has gotten to the point where my mobility is limited due to fatigue and pain when walking/standing and inability to bend. Finally hit me today that being able to sit would help greatly in getting stuff done around my house, so I'm getting a wheelchair to possibly help me get the mountain of things done that has been building up. TBD on if it will enable me to do the things I'm hoping, but I'm optimistic. Any tips or hacks yall have picked up for cleaning, cooking, etc while using a wheelchair? I've learned some things along the way from spending time with wheelchair users but would love to hear your insight. Thanks in advance ❤️ ETA - mah pelvis: imgur.com/a/dhasZHK |
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quarantinetoughguy
New Member
Posts: 33
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by quarantinetoughguy on Sept 10, 2023 8:23:48 GMT -5
oh man, the best tip I got is, get yourself one of them robot vacuums!
I remember hearing about a Roomba so long ago when it was just a novelty. I recently got one to review for my job that could also do very basic "mopping" but after that review I immediately splurged and bought a good one that has good vacuum and mopping capabilities. They're kind of expensive, but truly worth it.
If you have the space for it, and not a lot of clutter, they're amazing. I love leaving my apartment and setting it to vacuum/mop and coming back to find the place noticeably cleaner.
I used to hate sweeping then bending down to collect the debris with a dustpan. I also hated dragging around a stick vacuum, even though they're wireless and light. And similarly for my swiffer sweeper. Easy, but annoying. now I dont have to use any of that.
Oh! and they have cool features, mine can be remote controlled, I can use the camera as security, and you can even turn on the microphone to talk to your pets haha.
Robot vacuum's are the jam
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Post by someonerandom on Sept 10, 2023 8:48:22 GMT -5
Congrats on being a cripple now. I use a cordless vacuum which is a total game changer. Never tried the robot before, like the person said before me. I feel like the robot would get in my way and annoy me lol. Other than the wireless vacuum though, I can’t think of anything special I do for cleaning as a full time para in wheelchair.
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lyon11
Junior Member
Posts: 56 
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled
Relationship Status: In a relationship
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Post by lyon11 on Sept 10, 2023 9:23:09 GMT -5
My support and the wish that you get better soon.
My only advice would be regarding the wheelchair, that its footrests are removable or its angle is less than 90°, this will allow you to get closer to the objects (refrigerator, washing machine, stove, etc.).
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Post by newjess on Sept 10, 2023 10:58:34 GMT -5
Thank you so much quarantinetoughguy, someonerandom, and lyon11Omg, I actually do have a Roomba that I had perfectly set up with smart maps and everything at my old place, but just completely forgot about it when I moved to my current place lol. Definitely going to set that back up. I have pets that shed a lottt so I do still have to use a regular vacuum (going to get a cordless), but it's great for in between. I hadn't thought about the footrests and being able to get closer to everything. That's so helpful! One thing I'm really struggling with is doing the dishes. The standing and bending is the worst. I am going to have to get creative there because my kitchen is so narrow and cramped (old house galley kitchen), but we will see how it goes lol. Thanks again for the suggestions! Here's my F'd up pelvis if anyone wants to see: imgur.com/a/dhasZHK |
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Post by justnick on Sept 10, 2023 11:31:16 GMT -5
Most of my advice is quadriplegic related so things to do with lack of hand function. Not helpful for you. But for dishes, I have a lap tray that I put down a towel and a wash basin on that and that’s how I do my dishes. I wash them in there, rinse them in one side of the sink and have a drying rack in the other side of the sink.
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Post by justnick on Sept 10, 2023 11:33:43 GMT -5
And I know you are not single but that pelvis picture would be my Tinder pic, fo sho.
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Post by newjess on Sept 10, 2023 11:46:12 GMT -5
Thanks justnick - I have this kneeling office chair I'm realizing might be good specifically for the dishes because I can sit up tall on it to do the sink things and then bend from the chair to load the dishwasher. Just have to see if bending from the chair is manageable.. I think it will be but we'll find out soon lol. Well... we're ethically non-monogamous but yes I'm not currently on the apps at the moment since the chronic fatigue/pain life is already way too draining 🫠 maybe one day I'll be back at it though lol |
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Post by someonerandom on Sept 10, 2023 13:10:51 GMT -5
To do dishes and everything from a wheelchair I find it easier to come up beside tables/surfaces rather than facing them from the front. It will get you a lot closer that way.
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Post by newjess on Sept 10, 2023 15:22:19 GMT -5
To do dishes and everything from a wheelchair I find it easier to come up beside tables/surfaces rather than facing them from the front. It will get you a lot closer that way. Ooo thank you that makes sense. Thankfully twisting hasn't been a problem so that should hopefully work well. The pain is really bad today I can barely stand/walk so I said screw it and used the kneeling chair in the kitchen and it did help a lot. Hopefully a good sign that the right mobility aids will be effective 🤞🏼 |
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Post by blueskye101 on Sept 10, 2023 21:39:22 GMT -5
I have a crappy back that I have had two surgeries on. 4 different areas. The last one helped incredibly so I could walk and bend but not for real long. Dishes the worst. I used one of those tall stool with back and now if hurting, put one foot up on a low stool helps. Good luck
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Post by newjess on Sept 10, 2023 23:28:58 GMT -5
I have a crappy back that I have had two surgeries on. 4 different areas. The last one helped incredibly so I could walk and bend but not for real long. Dishes the worst. I used one of those tall stool with back and now if hurting, put one foot up on a low stool helps. Good luck Noo I'm sorry to hear that the improvement from your last surgery didn't last very long 😞.. hope you've been able to find some relief. I did a very similar set up today and for the first time in a year the dishes weren't pure agony. I don't know why it took so long for me to realize that finding a way to sit would help with a lot of the things I've been struggling with lol, it just somehow never occurred to me to sit while doing the dishes?? |
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Post by loveonaroll2 on Sept 11, 2023 8:35:40 GMT -5
I’m so sorry to hear what you’re dealing with my advice improvise, overcome adapt experiment, and you will find what works best for you
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Post by newjess on Sept 11, 2023 10:32:28 GMT -5
I’m so sorry to hear what you’re dealing with my advice improvise, overcome adapt experiment, and you will find what works best for you Thank you so much, I appreciate it! Already feeling so much better now that I'm experimenting with different options |
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Post by loveonaroll2 on Sept 11, 2023 10:46:57 GMT -5
Of course! I’m so happy to hear that!
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