Independent living
Gadget review - food grabber
17/July/2010 01:32 PM
Here is another gadget - this time from Japan.
If you can't grip things (like grabbing crisps from a bowl or picking popcorn etc) because of weakness in you hands, joint mobility etc then you may be missing out on getting obese like the rest of the nation..
In the interests of equality (I have the right to eat tons of popcorn at the cinema and put on weight like everyone else, right?) this Japanese gizmo might work for you if you can operate it.
If you can't see it - think six inch stick with two pincers at one end and three at the other that pinch together when a slider button is pushed in bright yellow and black. I'd want a small electronic version of course for the complete cyber look.
The video clip commentary is in jest - but crank up the price and show it at Naidex.... sell out.
If you can't grip things (like grabbing crisps from a bowl or picking popcorn etc) because of weakness in you hands, joint mobility etc then you may be missing out on getting obese like the rest of the nation..
In the interests of equality (I have the right to eat tons of popcorn at the cinema and put on weight like everyone else, right?) this Japanese gizmo might work for you if you can operate it.
If you can't see it - think six inch stick with two pincers at one end and three at the other that pinch together when a slider button is pushed in bright yellow and black. I'd want a small electronic version of course for the complete cyber look.
The video clip commentary is in jest - but crank up the price and show it at Naidex.... sell out.
Gadget review - grab a lolly
15/July/2010 05:38 PM
I came across this today
Basically, you put the box in the freezer and once removed you have about 30 minutes to make your own ice lollies.
Now, I don't know about you, but I find holding a conventional ice lolly virtually impossible because of the small stick to grab onto that is flat and difficult to grasp. Result - your Magnum drips all over you or you drop the whole thing on your lap. Cue the Cornetto as the solution or one of those ice lollies in a paper tube that freezes your fingers off or shoots out of the packet as you squeeze it....
Anyway, this appealed to me because the sturdy unit means you just pour in your mix (i.e. water and juice or a recipe to make frozen yogurt or frozen smoothies) and drop one of the inserts (sticks) which has a reasonable area to grasp and is a nice round shape to make holding it a lot easier. Away with the mess of the 80's and in with some tech! Your lolly is ready in 7-9 minutes and making them yourself of course helps if you have particular dietary requirements.
It's available from firefox and Lakeland and costs around £39.99 (I never said accessible lollies were going to be cheap!)
Basically, you put the box in the freezer and once removed you have about 30 minutes to make your own ice lollies.
Now, I don't know about you, but I find holding a conventional ice lolly virtually impossible because of the small stick to grab onto that is flat and difficult to grasp. Result - your Magnum drips all over you or you drop the whole thing on your lap. Cue the Cornetto as the solution or one of those ice lollies in a paper tube that freezes your fingers off or shoots out of the packet as you squeeze it....
Anyway, this appealed to me because the sturdy unit means you just pour in your mix (i.e. water and juice or a recipe to make frozen yogurt or frozen smoothies) and drop one of the inserts (sticks) which has a reasonable area to grasp and is a nice round shape to make holding it a lot easier. Away with the mess of the 80's and in with some tech! Your lolly is ready in 7-9 minutes and making them yourself of course helps if you have particular dietary requirements.
It's available from firefox and Lakeland and costs around £39.99 (I never said accessible lollies were going to be cheap!)
DLA Assessment
22/June/2010 05:51 PM
So, medical reassessment for all in 2013?
If by existing claimant they also mean people like me with progressive impairments / life limited then what a waste of money.
I remember my first two medicals when I could walk a few steps. It was tearful and stressful - like most of these things seem to be.
The first test was scheduled in a GP surgery (considering most GPs had never heard of my condition and 20 years later still don't).
The test was up a flight of stairs.
Between my mum helping (pushing, pulling etc) and my wobbly legs, we made it. I was shattered and it took all my strength. It was also a dangerous thing to do because I could have collapsed and tumbled down at any point.
I got to the top, I remember a few questions about how far I could walk - 1 football pitch, half .... and they basically said if you can walk up a flight of steps you must be fine. Failed.
So I had to appeal. This time I went in my leg splints. I obviously did not look disabled enough. I also entered the surgery in my 'buggy' aka adult pram as they were in those days. Mum lifted me out in front of them and I sat on a chair. I can remember what it looked like, how it felt, the colour and feel of the cold wooden desk I clung onto so I didn't fall flat on my face before I sat on the chair. I can see it all now like a nightmare.
I was told to stand up by the doctor/assessor. I moved my legs a bit and said I couldn't. It was the truth.
He said I wasn't trying hard enough and shouted at me ... PUSH, try harder.
I wanted to cry. I held back the tears, they received a large pay cheque for drilling me.
I passed the test. I was awarded it for life eventually. I hope to God the next medical is not like that. A list of endless questions about what you can't do - just like every social care assessment and review is. Some things never change?
If by existing claimant they also mean people like me with progressive impairments / life limited then what a waste of money.
I remember my first two medicals when I could walk a few steps. It was tearful and stressful - like most of these things seem to be.
The first test was scheduled in a GP surgery (considering most GPs had never heard of my condition and 20 years later still don't).
The test was up a flight of stairs.
Between my mum helping (pushing, pulling etc) and my wobbly legs, we made it. I was shattered and it took all my strength. It was also a dangerous thing to do because I could have collapsed and tumbled down at any point.
I got to the top, I remember a few questions about how far I could walk - 1 football pitch, half .... and they basically said if you can walk up a flight of steps you must be fine. Failed.
So I had to appeal. This time I went in my leg splints. I obviously did not look disabled enough. I also entered the surgery in my 'buggy' aka adult pram as they were in those days. Mum lifted me out in front of them and I sat on a chair. I can remember what it looked like, how it felt, the colour and feel of the cold wooden desk I clung onto so I didn't fall flat on my face before I sat on the chair. I can see it all now like a nightmare.
I was told to stand up by the doctor/assessor. I moved my legs a bit and said I couldn't. It was the truth.
He said I wasn't trying hard enough and shouted at me ... PUSH, try harder.
I wanted to cry. I held back the tears, they received a large pay cheque for drilling me.
I passed the test. I was awarded it for life eventually. I hope to God the next medical is not like that. A list of endless questions about what you can't do - just like every social care assessment and review is. Some things never change?
iPhone4 - sign and weep
08/June/2010 03:30 PM
Yesterday we saw the WWDC 2010 Keynote by Steve Jobs
deliver us the next iPhone - iPhone 4.
Now, disabled people are loving iPhones for all sorts of reasons - in factnever has a device delivered so much in terms of life enhancement for people in general.
Then it came to the one last thing - Video Chat. I watched on Engadget as up came all the photos of families staying connected and all sorts of rosy images of life with video chat.
However - then came the star photo - yes folks, disabled people made it into the key note. This came to us in the form of some Deaf users using BSL over their new video rich i-Phone with amazing clarity.
Now, to many of us, two people chatting in BSL is nothing remarkable - it's just two people chatting. Yes I know it's on a mobile phone but you still need wifi access so it's no more remarkable than watching two people sign via video phone type systems (or even SKYPE if you get good enough speeds and frame rates).
However, the guys at Engadget described this vision as 'Wow' and 'very cool' and then finally 'We're getting choked up!'. I was welling up myself - though for different reasons. I wonder if the new adverts for the phone in the UK will feature BSL users?
[Source: http://www.engadget.com, June 7th 2010]
Equal futures
I felt myself wishing that people didn't see these things as so extra ordinary. Whilst it may be a useful option for two people who sign - it's not going to help communicate with the none signing world. I can see more potential though for 'super portable' signing such as in a hospital venue where a Deaf patient may need quick access to an interpreter who might be miles away. Some places do have video units but they are large and costly.You also need to be able to prop up your phone whilst you sign. Therefore, to do that anywhere outside of the home would make me want a cut proof, wire, chord linking my phone to my person in case it was snatched! An App that converts text to BSL as you talk - now that would be good!
I also wonder about how well you would see facial expression, lips and signs which require you to see a person whole upper body for example - listening to Deaf users on their experiences of the new phone will be interesting.
Now, disabled people are loving iPhones for all sorts of reasons - in factnever has a device delivered so much in terms of life enhancement for people in general.
Then it came to the one last thing - Video Chat. I watched on Engadget as up came all the photos of families staying connected and all sorts of rosy images of life with video chat.
However - then came the star photo - yes folks, disabled people made it into the key note. This came to us in the form of some Deaf users using BSL over their new video rich i-Phone with amazing clarity.
Now, to many of us, two people chatting in BSL is nothing remarkable - it's just two people chatting. Yes I know it's on a mobile phone but you still need wifi access so it's no more remarkable than watching two people sign via video phone type systems (or even SKYPE if you get good enough speeds and frame rates).
However, the guys at Engadget described this vision as 'Wow' and 'very cool' and then finally 'We're getting choked up!'. I was welling up myself - though for different reasons. I wonder if the new adverts for the phone in the UK will feature BSL users?
[Source: http://www.engadget.com, June 7th 2010]
Equal futures
I felt myself wishing that people didn't see these things as so extra ordinary. Whilst it may be a useful option for two people who sign - it's not going to help communicate with the none signing world. I can see more potential though for 'super portable' signing such as in a hospital venue where a Deaf patient may need quick access to an interpreter who might be miles away. Some places do have video units but they are large and costly.You also need to be able to prop up your phone whilst you sign. Therefore, to do that anywhere outside of the home would make me want a cut proof, wire, chord linking my phone to my person in case it was snatched! An App that converts text to BSL as you talk - now that would be good!
I also wonder about how well you would see facial expression, lips and signs which require you to see a person whole upper body for example - listening to Deaf users on their experiences of the new phone will be interesting.
When is a sex gadget not a sex gadget?
14/May/2010 06:43 PM
I have blogged before about the price of equipment
once it is given a disability label. Now I have found
another layer - the sex gadget. It seems to work as
so:
Product without a disability label = £X
Same product 'for disabled people' = £X + 50% at times.
Same product for sexual intimacy £X + less than the above!
Here is an interesting example:
A Shower Locking Foot Rest with suction cup. It is basically a foot print sized contoured foot rest that can be stuck on a shower wall. So if you need to rest your feet on a ledge to shave, wash or do whatever it becomes easier with this little gadget (assuming you don't lean too heavy, slip and kill yourself in the shower that is).
So onto the price:
Amazon appears to sell it as a 'Safe-er-Grip' with a slight disability angle on the marketing for £12.99.
bekinky.co.uk are selling it at £9.18 as an aid to having sex in the shower (and packed as such) Other sex shops sell it up to £13.45 according to Shopwiki.
So the moral of the tale is - try a sex shop or two for a bargain on useful disability gadgets and watch your PAs face as they open it for you!
Product without a disability label = £X
Same product 'for disabled people' = £X + 50% at times.
Same product for sexual intimacy £X + less than the above!
Here is an interesting example:
A Shower Locking Foot Rest with suction cup. It is basically a foot print sized contoured foot rest that can be stuck on a shower wall. So if you need to rest your feet on a ledge to shave, wash or do whatever it becomes easier with this little gadget (assuming you don't lean too heavy, slip and kill yourself in the shower that is).
So onto the price:
Amazon appears to sell it as a 'Safe-er-Grip' with a slight disability angle on the marketing for £12.99.
bekinky.co.uk are selling it at £9.18 as an aid to having sex in the shower (and packed as such) Other sex shops sell it up to £13.45 according to Shopwiki.
So the moral of the tale is - try a sex shop or two for a bargain on useful disability gadgets and watch your PAs face as they open it for you!
My first accessible party - on Twitter
01/May/2010 04:35 PM
Now - this is where Twitter comes into its own when you add a hashtag ( # followed by a word e.g. #equality) to the end of your message. If you go on Twitter, you can search for everyone in the world who has added the same hashtag to the end of their message and it will be displayed in a time-line. Hence people can see what others are saying on the same topic - and join the conversation.
The most used hashtag for my account is #mhlparty (over 430 Tweets) and it's my first experience at a Twitter Party I am going to share with you today - from a disabled person's perspective.
Accessible Parties.
I like the idea of parties - being around friends, having a laugh, good music and a bit of dancing. On the other hand I feel very uncomfortable in environments like these. For starters, crowded areas where everyone is standing up or dancing/falling over drunk is not my idea of fun. Perhaps because I can't stand up (use a wheelchair) and need some space to move, perhaps because people always used to fall over me as they wobbled to and from the bar. Maybe it was the drunken games of 'who dares chat the cripple up' or the fact that I could commit suicide on less than 1 Unit of Alcohol. Add to this the noise and the fact that my voice is sometimes little more than a whisper does not a conversation make.
All in all, I'm just not cut out to do the Party thing - even though the idea of loud music and waving a glow stick around all night has huge appeal!
Then I started tweeting whilst watching Most Haunted on the television, having a love of all things ghost like since the Ghostbusters first came out in my childhood. Prior to University I was so interested in the Paranormal because of personal experiences that I was originally going to do a Parapsychology degree. I guess you would say I'm a skeptic believer i.e. I believe in paranormal activity but don't believe every sound or bump in a spooky place is spirit activity. So, I take things like Most Haunted with a huge pinch of salt and a good dose of entertainment. Whether you believe or not, Most Haunted as a series has a huge fan base and I saw that some people who watched the show were Tweeting about a Most Haunted Live Party (mhlparty). I had to find out more - so I did and although the show brought us together we all agreed that it was our party and interactions with each other that made the night a fantastic one.
What is a Twitter Party?
Well for mhlparty, it was the idea of the lovely @JuicyJulesRocks and anyone who watches the show can join in. Each Tweet carries the hashtag so we can focus on just party tweets and we have a core group of about 12-20 people with the party theme being based on the show. We all seem to hold the same viewpoint - pretty darnn skeptical about the show but still loving it (and occasionally something does happen which makes us all go a bit quiet and reach for a pillow to hide behind!).
A party is held for every Live event - that's 3 hours of tweeting for 3-7 nights and can best be described as virtual role play. For example, someone will run a bar and make sure we are all well topped up if not getting a bit tipsy by the end of the night and others will let people know what music is playing (our favourite of course being on replay is usually Ghost Busters or for devillish investigations Road to Hell has been known to pop up on the old Jukebox). Not forgetting the party nibbles, lots of chocolate and I tend to supply glowsticks! We have a mhlparty website hoted by the lovely @MrRant and party games include competitions such as 'best costume' and the ever popular 'guess how many times they will swear on live TV'. In fact, our party has had a few mentions on air and we have had an official drop in who monitors the swearing from the broadcasting perspective and helps with the official 'count'.
If you have ever listened to Audio Description of a party scene on a TV programme - Tweets read a bit like that! Our own, virtual, interactive party world. Yes, people probably think we are all quite mad but essentially, we have a laugh and a chat, we've made some good friends and have a great night.
The best sort of party for me?
Yes, most definitely.
- To start with, I didn't have to phone up and check for wheelchair access or
- figure out inaccessible transport/parking.
- I didn't have to explain to anyone why I can't drink alcohol.
- I didn't need to feel 100% well to join in.
- I get a giggle because of my crazy party costume and not in a hurtful way because I've tried to cram my funny shaped body into party clothes.
- I have no fear of bullying or harrassement - or of being safe from some of the terrible disability hate crime of today.
- In all reality I am comfy and warm in my living room and not worrying about hot, claustrophobic environments.
- I can eat and drink what I want at a virtual party - unlike real life.
- I don't have to worry about trying to use a toilet that is inaccessible and wet underfoot with alcohol, vomit and urine - especially when I can only transfer in bare feet.
- I don't need to worry about getting home safely and
- best of all, I can communicate with people rather than words remaining as frustrated thoughts when I haven't the strength to get them out. Without communication, life can be lonely and it's easy for people to pre-judge me as anti-social.
Of course wheelchair users and people with all sorts of impairments go clubbing and enjoy the night life - but my choice is to stay in and party in an alternative way.
A sign of equality?
Nobody knows I have an impairment in most virtual parties - it's not relevant. I don't hide my impairment from anyone but I don't make a point of telling everyone I meet that I use a wheelchair unless it is relevant to the message or situation. I found it interesting that I could Tweet about every day life for months before people started asking if I used a wheelchair because otherwise a tweet didn't make sense! It's not everyday that someone can say they rolled down a hill when out for a walk. It's perhaps testimony to just how far equality has gone. I'm loving my virtual world - so drop in for a chat or a cup of tea anytime you wish :-)
* Dedicated to all the wonderful mhlparty goers.
