A ladder-type stand was made that allows him to pull himself up.  For stability, it is bolted to the desk.  The client is very happy with it and thinks it looks like a piece of Ercol furniture.  The space below the stand has been found useful by his colleagues to store their personal items!

The tool is made from 22mm plastic tube and two Tee pieces. One Tee is passed over the window handle. The steel finger presses the release button on the window catch, allowing the handle to be turned.

A 40 x 40 x 700 wooden batten was screwed to the wooden door sill, on which the upper end of the ramp rests. Two screws mate with two over-size holes in the ramp to stop it slipping when in use but still allow it to be lifted out when needed.

The hoist can now be used correctly.

The device is made from a horse-shoe shaped metal ring, a length of 110mm diameter plastic waste pipe and a length of wooden dowel. The ring and pipe assembly is attached to the dowel by a pin which allows it to pivot. The dowel is approximately 1m long and can be held over the foot while the client is sitting, without any need to bend.

The client is now able to put on his socks unaided.

The board was fitted with a clear plastic cup, cut to a suitable length, around each caster to act as a guard.

He requires a trolley to provide him with support and a means to carry the activity.

The trolley is sized to suit the activities of different sizes and the height matches his desk to make transfer easier. The trolley has four castors, with the rear ones able to be locked inline if necessary. The lower members of the frame are made from heavy wall pipe to ensure a low centre of gravity.

A large-wheeled tricycle type buggy was modified with the addition of rear outriggers made from the wheeled part of a Zimmer frame.

Trolley, without foam bumpers

A simple trolley was made.  The two larger 300mm wheels allow it to be moved by the user, as for a hand powered wheelchair.  The air pump and battery pack are retained in the box with a Velcro strap.

Sketch

Castors were added to the chair with hand-operated brakes on the trailing castors.

It was decided to attach straps to the underside of the cushion which would then pass under the bed and close with plastic buckles.  The suckers are attached to the cushion with press studs and it was found that they could be removed and those same press studs used to attach the straps.

The cushion stays in place but can still be easily removed when required.

The family had an off-road buggy which was no longer required.  This was modified to lower the handle bar and move the rear wheels further forward to reduce the overall length and improve stability.  The over-long vertical tubes were not cut down to allow the changes to be reversible.  It still folds for storage and transport.

The stainless steel tubular guard provides the necessary protection to give him the confidence to keep his feet on the footplates.  Quick-release clamps (used on boats for attaching canopies) allow the guard to be removed without tools when needed.

These bull bars were subsequently modified to fit the client’s new wheelchair.

The stainless steel telescopic shaft of an inspection tool formed the main body. An aluminium handle was formed to match the
shape of the client’s hand, joined by a small cover plate. A turned aluminium boss was attached to the handle and this was push fit glued to the telescopic body. A coat hanger and rubber thimble formed the hook.

Original metal version

Later 3D printed version …

… and USB memory stick

A bracket was made from two brass rings soldered to a small brass plate and attached to the charging plug with cable ties.  The client no longer relies on others to recharge her tablet.

This aid was subsequently replaced with a similar one made in ABS plastic by 3D printing with matching holder for a USB memory stick.

A similar problem and different solution: Laptop charging plug

Knife and prosthesis

The plastic handle of the client’s knife was removed and the blade drilled to accept two small stainless steel pins welded in place. The pins were located such that the hooks locate around them and the end of the knife tang locates into the hinge part of the hook under the elastic bands.

This proved so successful, the client asked for other knives to be modified in a similar way.

The solution consisted of a wooden base with two upright posts 400mm apart.  Holes in the posts allowed the line to be set at 300 or 360mm above the desktop.  The free end of the line was secured to one of the posts with a Velcro strap.  A low-cost commercial suction pad was used to hold the device firmly in place, the desktop being very smooth.

The two outboard legs were extended to resolve this, re-using the original rubber feet.  The modification is fully reversible.

Original wheel

New wheel as delivered

New wheels as modified

New wheels fitted

The commodes were fitted with large wheels so the seat heights could easily be lowered by installing smaller wheels. New wheels were purchased and modified to make the fitting method identical to the original. The seat heights were thus reduced from 49.5cm to 42cm.

A secondary concern was that the potty could only be removed from behind the chair which the user found inconvenient. The chair back was moved to the front and the arms repositioned and secured with cable ties to effectively reverse the chair and allow the potty to be removed from the front.

Finished seat

Forming the seat cushion

Underside of seat showing screw height adjustment and plywood board tool tray

The shape of the client’s bottom was taken using a bean bag made of a bin liner full of polystyrene beans.  The form of the beanbag was held by drawing a vacuum with an airbed pump while a plaster of paris mould was made.  A GRP seat was made and covered with foam padding and leatherette.

Seat in use

First thoughts of modifying a commercial over-bed table were dismissed after it proved difficult to source anything suitable. The tray is tilt adjustable, and includes screw-in eyelets and a string “washing line” to tether her toys. The height of the feet is a tight fit under the bed, which makes it very stable and secure.

Tray underside

Tray top

A simple folding frame was provided with two rails at different heights. The lower rail allows him to pull himself into a standing position and the upper one allows him to maintain it.  The frame can be folded for storage or transport.

Its use was so successful, the client’s mother asked for a second unit for use at home.