I can't use any of those devices that have the fork / spoon come out the side of your palm of straight out the palm. I can get it to my mouth some if the food sticks to the fork ok, but I can't do it well. I can't get my elbow up so the food often falls off. The harder thing to do is bend my wrist enough to poke the food.
So I use the Wanchik Writer. It holds the fork a bit more natural. Like holding a pencil. I can then scoop the food better and don't have to get my elbow up so high. http://www.rehabmart.com/product/5640.htm Greg --------- Hi Eddie! For me the thing that works best for using a fork, toothbrush, etc., for the past 26 years is called an "Economy Wrist Splint" (...or "Wrist Brace," can't remember). It easily found listed under braces/splints in the Sammons-Preston catalogs. If you have a PT or OT working with you I'm sure they can either show you a picture of the product or an actual sample and order one to try out. (~$25.00) There are (or were) two types: ... The one I use now is not much more than 3 leather straps with velcro to fasten them around the back (dorsal) part of the arm. There is also a rigid, removable metal stay supporting the forearm and wrist in a straight position. The wider, most distal, strap has a notch to go between the thumb and forefinger and fastens around the palm while also having cuff-type pocket in the palm. The two other velco straps go around the wrist and mid-way up forearm. ... The other is what I first began using. Instead of a leather strap around the palm it has a solid plastic "C"-shaped area for the hand/palm to slide into with a cuff-type pocket on the palm side, as well. The two other straps fasten the same as the one above (wrist and forearm). I can control my chair 's joystick just as easily with either type or without any. Regarding arm and shoulder strength needed, to use this type best you would probably need to be able to raise your hand to your face level and lift and hold your elbow, laterally, at least half as high. I hope that's descriptive enough. I'm sure you could modify some store-bought Ace splint/brace to essentially the same thing. Whether you wear it all day or only as needed dependeds entirely on you and your needs. Best wishes! --Tod ---- Eric W Rudd <[email protected]> wrote: > i use an electric as that has an enlarged base (batteries)...this > 'impregnation' if you will allows me to grasp it...BUT the majority of > movement comes from moving it around my mouth w/ my tongue > > Eric W Rudd > [email protected] > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Fragile" <[email protected]> > To: "quad-list" <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 12:02 PM > Subject: [QUAD-L] Quads brushing teeth > > > > Can someone recommend a quad friendly device for brushing teeth? For > > years I've been putting an electric toothbrush in a "Pool Cue Cuff " > > purchased at www.accesstr.com. It works great but the cuff wears out > > after about a year, about $40 for a new one. Seems expensive, was > > hoping I could get a recommendation for a cheaper alternative. > > Thanks... > > > > Eddie, C5 quad > > >
