I am a polio survivor, having had it in 1946 and now I have Post Polio Syndrome. I thought it might be interesting for us to share how we still enjoy life...what we use (gardening equipment,stools,etc). I use the garden tractor to get to the garden,orchard and raspberry patch. To seed, weed etc, I use a Scoot 'n Do,which I can sit on and scoot over as I need to. To pick raspberries, I sit on a wooden horse and move it often. In the house, I use a tripod stool on wheels to do any chores in the kitchen. To shop, I have an electric cart and my husband rigged a type of hoist to get it in and out of the pickup truck. I never ask for sympathy. I get impatient with people who feel sorry for themselves cause they have a disability. I strongly believe that where there is a will, there is a way! As for the general publics attitude about the handicapped, I have seen the rudest and also the kindest. I prefer to remember the kindest. I'd like to see any ideas that make gardening,canning,sewing and cooking easier. You know, I just realized that some of these tips would be helpful for the aging too.

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001

Answers

This brings up something I need to ask y'all. I've been tossing around the idea of making a roll out movable boardwalk for our Habitat for Humanity sites, so that volunteers and homeowners with disabilities (ie wheelchair bound) could gain access to the job site while it is still torn up. How wide would I need to make it? Any hints on how I could make it better? I was thinking about treated 2x4s drilled through and held together with nylon rope. Any hints would be appreciated.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.

Ardie, you're definitely an inspiration. I've been fussing with a bad knee for a few weeks now and being a sissy about it, wondering how much it will hamper my abilities. I guess the answer is "as much as I let it". I have found as I get older that working smarter, not harder is the key. I try to get all my tools where I need them to be in one trip. That usually means filling up the trailer behind the riding mower. I also use a camp stool to sit on while I'm pulling weeds or harvesting. Less stooping and bending that way. I found a pair of easy-action clippers for pruning. They are recommended for arthritics and are smaller, fitting a woman's hand better. My hands don't get as easily fatigued and sore with these. I'm looking at putting longer handles on hoes and rakes, so I don't have to stoop over as much. Now, if I could just get DH to stop putting jar lids on so tight...

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.

Hi Ardie! I had polio in 1953 and I also now have PPS. I worked hard and saved till I could retire at 50 to a homestead and so I must admit to being pretty devestated when my polio came back. I wanted to build a rock cabin but didn't think it was possible because of body weakness. I started anyway and after 3 years I have about 1/3 done!! I manage 1 1/2 to 2 hours work a day and have to quit. Sometimes its so maddening but a funny thing happens when you go slow. You enjoy it more!!! When life is forced to slow down it is so beautiful! I have moved tons of concrete by myself and marvel what a person can do given time and creativity. I aso must tell you its nice to here of someone else who gets by so well with a chronic condition. Thank you! Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), February 05, 2001.

Kirk, don't for one minute think I don't get frustrated as Hell sometimes. After all the years of being an over achiever, I have to deal with a failing body! Man oh man, I get so mad! Then I realize that I shouldn't waste my time on negative energy. I posted in another thread about using black plastic to garden. That helps me a lot too. It keeps the weeds down and sitting on it when it is warm from the sun feels really good...just be careful not to sit on a snake. They love to go under plastic. Any more ideas out there?

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.

Kirk and Ardie! Three big smiles for you :~) :~) :~) !!! My mom is disabled from a major car wreck. She has trouble walking. I bought her a little red wagon and she used it for everything! She did finally get something that she can push rather than pull. She said that was easier to lean on. If you can pull a wagon they are very useful and then you have a seat as well. You can sit in it and pick into a 5 gallon bucket that is in the wagon at the same time. You wouldn't have to carry the bucket full that way or lift it onto the wagon. I do this too! Saves all that bending over. Not only that but you can scoot it along as you pick and Ardie wouldn't have to scoot over the snakes anymore!!!! We have plenty of copper heads. Keep your hoe handy Ardie, I would hate for you to get bit in the backside! Wouldn't you hate to have to explain that one to the emergency room attendants!!!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 05, 2001.

I'll keep that in mind,Nan, although I bet the emergency room at the small hospital I'd go to wouldn't be surprised if someone got bit in the backside by a snake. I thought of another tip! I tied ropes to my clothes baskets so I just pull them along instead of carrying them. Outside they'd get muddy, but they're easy to wash off!

-- Ardie from Wi (a6203@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.

A 2 bushel laundry basket would fit perfectly in a kids wagon. My boys bless me by carrying mine out to the line for me. Children are such a big help!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 05, 2001.

Soni, are you thinking of making a ramp, or something level? For a ramp, you don't want too steep an incline. The general rule is one foot of length for every stair (so, for example, four stairs needs a four foot ramp). I'd say about four feet wide is good width for a ramp or boardwalk as this will accommodate even the widest wheelchair. You want room along the side for arms that need to propel the chair. You may also want to have grab bars along the side for people with unsteady gaits. Someone with a cane or walker would much appreciate a level ground to walk on! Be sure it is built solid, doesn't sway.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), February 05, 2001.

Ardie: Today I was sitting there drinking some coffee just stareing at my rock walls. My brain was just humming figuring how to get a steel I-beam header up over the door way. Winches, pulleys, leverage until I got it. I thought of your post!! You and I Are probably a lot smarter than most people because we know the brain is stronger than the muscle!!! .....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), February 05, 2001.

Kirk, we aren't really smarter...we just learned to use our heads! LOL!

-- Ardie (a6203@hhotmail.com), February 06, 2001.

I will have to get me a red wagon. I have a nice wheel barrow, but my hands swell up so. (I have lupus, rheumatiod arthritis, fibromyalgia etc...)My feet hurt so much sometimes that walking is most difficult, but I learned that although my wheelchair won't make it on the rough terrain, I can use a t-post like a cane. I can poke the t-post into the ground giving me some leveredge to pull myself along. It was really handy when the ground was so icy!!! The front yard slopes down toward a gully and when it was icy, that was shall I say...rather interesting... I put a t-post in the ground to grab on the way sliding down into the gully. Grab the post, stop the slide, the kids loved it!!! I am looking into getting a bar stool for the kitchen , but it sure would be nice if it had wheels, then I could scoot around in the kitchen and actually be able to reach things! :-)

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 09, 2001.

Cindy, I use a tripod stool with wheels. I guess they are used in offices. They are fine, but mine broke and I fell backward onto the floor. If you get one, have it reenforced. My husband welded sone metal attaching the legs together.

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), February 10, 2001.