disability aid

Hi, I went to a rheumatologist appt last week and he asked me if I could walk unaided, or used a walking stick or aids. I told him I could walk unaided (and showed him by walking to the door and back), but that for longer distances eg within the home I sometimes used a rollator for a very short...

There are some trials and projects studying the use of telepresence robots for chronically ill children, including children with ME. I wonder whether these robots could be of use for adults too, for example for participating in projects discussed here (members only) ...

I have an alarm installed in my house, as it's on an independent living scheme. It's one of those systems that uses a control box attached to a landline, plus a pendant or watch. I don't know whether other ME patients use them, but if you do, our local scheme has just sent information about a...

i wear earplugs 24/7. i use disposables now, but there are issues. i wonder if there are any soft earplugs made out of a safe material. my old respirator had a soft silicone that would retain its shape. like that. [edit: i mean that it would RETURN to its DEFAULT shape and not squish around...

Hi looking for any recommendations for a seat on castors to use in my kitchen so I can sit down in front of the work top and cooker to do food prep. My new kitchen is bigger than the old one and there are more steps involved between fridge surface and cooker. Just walking from my seat in...

My latest CHRONIC ELEPHANT BLOG is about using a mobility scooter and other aids. It also links to an article I wrote on another blog about choosing a scooter, and using it once you've got it https://thechronicelephant.blogspot.com/2019/08/getting-mobile-with-penelope-pitstop.html I AM...

I have severe ME. I live with my parents. My mum is my principal carer. Mum and I want to get a stairlift. But Dad refuses because (a) it would spoil his aesthetic for the house, and (b) he thinks it would discourage me to try to use the stairs myself. I've only been up and down the stairs a...

Just saw this article, i'm seriously thinking of buying it https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/07/the-best-ipad-stand-tablet-holder-tryone-review.html

Coauthored by Ricky Buchanan (Australian pwME/CFS) and Natasha Layton (President, Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association), this open letter was published in the journal Societies this week. Abstract This article is an open letter to assistive technology stakeholders from...

This post seeks to find if anyone has a decent apple and / or andorid app for speech to type. The reasons for this are twofold My stepbrother had a horrendous head injury years ago, and whilst he has made a remarkable recovery, the partial lobotomy necessitated for pressure reduction has induced...

I care for someone with severe ME who is very sound sensitive. They are using ear plugs and some Bose noise cancelling headphones but that is not helping enough. Please has anybody any advice, e.g. are noise defenders good, are they better than noise cancelling headphones. Any help or advice...

After a recent bad relapse, I've come to the decision that I would like to try and apply for a wheelchair. I could of used one for a long time really, but pride gets in the way. There are probably 100s or even 1000s things I've missed over the years I could of gone to if I'd had the courage to...

I’ve just written a blog post about Smart Home technology and chronic illness life https://tipsforme.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/smart-home/ Has anyone else here been exploring this?

So I am finally (grudgingly) admitting to myself that life might be less crashy and my horizons expanded a bit if I had a power wheelchair. I'd love to hear from others who have one what features you love/hate/wish you had. I only have a carer one day a week, so the thing would ideally be...

Have you bought something - whether a device or other product - which has helped you in some way as an ME patient? There are obvious things like pill cutters or heart rate monitors, but there might also be other things that help with household tasks or day to day chores. Or even with symptoms -...