At 17:51 27-01-01 -0600, rob wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > > If the object you want is not too heavy, you could get one of those
> > > > long-arm-claw-things (anyone know the real name?) that arthritis
> > > > patients who can't bend over use. Be sure to get a good one: some
>of
> > > > the cheaper ones will bend on you.
> > >
> > > That might work. I wonder if they sell them at the HEB I've had the
>most
> > > trouble at? :)
> > > Julia
> >
> > "Reachers", lots of times you can find them in the garden stores locally
> > or look at an "adaptive equipment site". Lots of people like the ones
>that
> > have opposing suction cup looking things (that pick up the pinecones etc)
> >
The better-quality ones I've seen were either (1) at a medical supply place
that sells wheelchairs, walkers, etc. (there's one such store not too far
from here that has several models in different lengths up to IIRC more than
3 feet (0.9144 m) long, all of which look pretty sturdy) or (2) used by
workers cleaning up parks or by the side of the highway. For the latter
type you might check with a janitorial supply place if there is one
nearby. As I mentioned above, some of the ones I've seen sold in other
places (like one my mother had) will bend if you try to pick up anything
very heavy, including probably most hardcover books, much less a 6-pack of
soda.
BTW, some of them come with a _magnet_ attached to the claw end, which I
think is for people who sew or knit to be able to pick up dropped pins and
needles*. You might want to take that off if you're going to use it
anywhere near a computer (or video or audio tapes).
(*I find that a bare foot works just as well, as it usually finds the
dropped sharp object first.)
Good luck, and if I can be of any more help, let me know.
-- Ronn! :)
