National - REMAP - Custom made equipment for disabled people

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Angler’s hook baiting aid

A one-handed angler was struggling to hold his hooks when adding bait. 

Stair gate for wheelchair user

The client uses a wheelchair. The passage from her bedroom to the bathroom crosses the head of the stairs, and the top step is very close, such that a small error in turning the chair out of the bedroom risks a front wheel rolling over the step and the wheelchair tipping over.

There was no room for a conventional stair gate, so one was designed along the lines of a level crossing barrier. The main pivot was made from a tubular door stop and a coach bolt, and the remaining joints made from a brass butt hinge and two coach screws. Brass tubes and washers were used to protect the softwood members. The design was such that in the vertical (stowed) position, the three moving members folded into a stack onto the fixed vertical member, thus minimising the obstruction to the stairs. For maximum strength in the down position, the lower bar was braced against the side walls , while the upper bar was inset into the vertical member at the hinge end, and into a notched plate secured to the opposite wall at the other end. The client wanted the gate to match the pine doors and skirtings in the passage, so the gate was made from pine where available, and otherwise from suitably-stained spruce.

Gate in closed…                                                …and open positions.

Stair gate for wheelchair user 1Stair gate for wheelchair user 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The client can now use her wheelchair upstairs without her previous fear of it tipping her down the stairs.

(Lincoln)

 

Safety gate for wheelchair user

The client uses a wheelchair. The passage from her bedroom to the bathroom crosses the head of the stairs, and the top step is very close, such that a small error in turning the chair out of the bedroom risks a front wheel rolling over the step and the wheelchair tipping over.

There was no room for a conventional stair gate, so one was designed along the lines of a level crossing barrier. The main pivot was made from a tubular door stop and a coach bolt, and the remaining joints made from a brass butt hinge and two coach screws. Brass tubes and washers were used to protect the softwood members. The design was such that in the vertical (stowed) position, the three moving members folded in a stack onto the fixed vertical member, thus minimising the obstruction to the stairs. For maximum strength in the down position, the lower bar was braced against the side walls, while the upper bar was inset into the vertical member at the hinge end, and into a notched plate secured to the opposite wall at the other end. The client wanted the gate to match the pine doors and skirtings in the passage, so the gate was made from pine where available, and otherwise from suitably-stained spruce.

The client can now use her wheelchair upstairs without her previous fear of it tipping her down the stairs.

 

Wheelchair and pram connector

It is not permitted to carry anyone else on a mobility vehicle on a public highway or footpath Department of Transport guidance  . Any modification undertaken by Remap is done for the purpose of using the item on private property.

Wheelchair and pram connectorNichola has a 9 year old daughter in a wheelchair and a newborn baby and wanted to take them both out together. The problem was how to push the wheelchair and the pram together.

A frame was constructed to hold both wheelchair and pram. The two are easily put together & easily separated for independent use.

Nichola and both children are now able to go out all together.

(Shaftesbury)

Washing machine knob device

Washing machine knob deviceThis lady was unable to operate the controls on her washing machine.

A 350mm long lever was made with a glued on socket which fitted over the control knob. The client pushes the knob in, when needed, by leaning her buttocks on the socket end of the lever which she works with her left hand.

The lady can now use her washing machine without assistance.

(Exeter)

Walking frame retarder

Walking frame retarderA common problem with walking frames is ‘running away’. Where a brake is fitted it is usually not suitable for controlling speed – what is required is a constant preset retarding force.

This device uses a contoured roller, spring loaded onto the tyre. The ‘conflict’ of varying velocity ratio across the width of the roller gives rise to a servo action increasing the retarding force. The Tufnol roller is not lubricated and ensures consistent resistance.

The client feels safer user the walking frame.

Southend & District

Vehicle seat insert for lateral support

Vehicle Seat Insert for Lateral SupportSeverely disabled young man needs his head and upper body supported on long car journeys. Any support had to fit the client snugly, be useable with the existing seat/seatbelt and removable for cleaning.

Foam was cut to the shape of the seat and two laminations were cut to suit the shape of the client and glued in place. These were covered & closed with Velcro. Heavy duty webbing straps with Velcro were threaded vertically and horizontally through the insert & firmly secured at the back of the car seat so that the insert was held laterally by the seat and the existing seat belt could still be used.

The client now feels more secure and comfortable during car journeys as he is now supported sideways at the shoulders and head. His foot contact with the car floor has also improved.

(Lincoln)

Umbrella/walking stick holder for electric scooter

Umbrella walking stick holder for electric scooterThe client uses an electric scooter, and wished to be able to carry her walking stick and an umbrella with her on the vehicle.

A length of 68mm diameter plastic tubing for the umbrella, and a similar tube of 41mm diameter for the walking stick were each fitted with aluminium alloy plugs with two aluminium split clamps bolted to the bottom of each plug. The tubes were then clamped to the steel bumper of the scooter, one at each side.

The client is able to carry her umbrella and walking stick safely on the scooter. Previously she had had to tie them onto the scooter, which was felt to be dangerous.

(Lincoln)

Turning tool for door key

Turning tool for door keyThis client was unable to use a Yale type door key.

A turning tool was made from a strip of 2mm aluminium sheet 250mm long. This was folded over itself to make a hollow lever which fits over the head of the key.

The client can now lock and unlock her door without help.

(Exeter)

Trumpet support for right hand use only

Trumpet support for right hand use onlyThis boy is learning to play the trumpet but has use of his right hand only. He needed a flexible support as instrument cannot be stationery but must move with his body.

A waist and neckband are provided and a strut which has a large fork to take the waist belt and a small fork at the other end in which a bar of the trumpet rests. This end can be clamped by a bolt and wing nut so the position on the trumpet is variable.

The client can now play sitting or standing.

(Bath)

Trolley for visually impaired photographer

Trolley for visually impaired photographerThe client is an enthusiastic photographer who specializes in architectural work, notably in churches. Damage to his eyesight had severely impaired his hobby because of the difficulties it caused when taking his heavy equipment into churches and other buildings.

A commercial lightweight trolley, designed to move loads up and down steps, was modified to carry the equipment safely in difficult conditions. The client is now able to continue photographing buildings with minimum assistance from other people.

(Chilterns South)

Stowaway ramp

Stowaway ramp 1 The client has post polio syndrome and wished to use her scooter around the garden with access via a conservatory door. She wanted a ramp that could be folded away.

A braced ramp was made that slides sideways on a steel tube supported below the doorstep and at the end of the stowing area by hardwood blocks fixed to the wall.

A plastic strip was fitted at the lower edge to reduce wear from theconcrete surface. A hooked pole allows the client to pull the ramp into position or hook it to the wall to stow it away.

Stowaway ramp 2The client can gain access to and from the garden on her electric scooter, stowing away the ramp after use.

(Lincoln & District)

Standing frame seat

Standing Frame SeatA wheelchair user who needed to use a ‘standing frame’ to strengthen her leg muscles was hoisted to and from the standing frame. Her wheelchair could not be positioned directly in front of the standing frame as a bar protruded from the frame between her legs. It was not safe to hoist the client over the bar. She needed to be in her chair directly in front of the standing frame and the chair needed to accept the protruding bar.

A seat was designed according to the client’s leg measurements when seated, with a back to the chair to give the client support and very importantly, to go over the protruding bar from the frame. A non-slip mat was stuck to the seat to prevent the client from sliding off.

The client is now able to collapse onto a seat after her standing exercises, the standing frame moved away from her and allow the staff to hoist her back into her wheelchair.

(Shaftesbury)

Stairlift lever

Stairlift leverThe client could only seat himself on his stair lift with the foot plate in the up position but then could not lower it when seated.

The lever mechanism which is attached to the wall requires a simple pull to lower the foot plate.

The client can now make the return journey on his own and simply pushes the plate with his foot to the raised position when alighting at the bottom of the stairs.

(Bath)

Stair lift control switch modification

Stair lift modificationA gentleman with decreasing power and movement in his hands and wrists was experiencing difficulties accessing the control switch on his rather elderly but still functional stair lift.

A bracket was mounted on the seat of the chair and the control switch was relocated to the bracket in a position, which provided the client with maximum access to the controls. Associated re-wiring was then completed and the system checked out. The client can now use his stair lift with ease and comfort and without any of the pain and stress he was experiencing previously.

Adjustable reading lectern

Special lecternA middle-aged man with Parkinson’s disease needed a rest for books when reading sat in his armchair. Because of the shaking associated with this condition he cannot hold his books.

The lectern designed has almost universal positioning to adjust for sitting comfort and light source. The plate swings into the vertical position to allow access and exit from the chair.

Client can now read in comfort without touching books except to turn the pages.

(Bath)

Snooker rest

Snooker restAfter a stroke, the client was unable to form his left hand into a bridging support for the cue when playing snooker.

An artist’s full-size wooden modelling (left) hand was purchased; all digit joints and the wrist are flexible so the hand can be formed into different configurations if needed. A sleeve of “Gripcloth” was wrapped around the wrist and held in place by elastic bands, to prevent slipping when the cue is used.

The client can now resume one of his retirement pleasures.

(Southend & District)

Slide to aid crawling

Slide to aid crawlingThis little boy at the age of 23 months had no inclination to crawl due to brain impairment at birth.

The slide was built at an angle to encourage him to move forward. Within a week he was able to move down the slide and once on the carpet, keep going just like an able-bodied child.

This project has proved that he is capable of learning.

(Isle of Man)

Sit-on ski

Sit-on-skiEd has cerebral palsy and is passionate about skiing, which he does in an ageing sit-in two-ski bob.

Because of its age and Ed’s deterioration in health, the bob needed modification. A new body was made professionally, while Remap engineers developed and installed new right hand and foot control mechanisms.

Ed has used the bob on holiday abroad where the instructors were highly impressed and they have retained the device for use with future clients.

(Taunton & West Somerset)

Electric shaver handle extension

shaver extensionThis client was unable to shave her legs due to limited body movement.

An extension was made for her electric shaver to fit into.

The client is now able to shave her own legs.

 

Shower chair footrest & armrests

Shower chair footrest & armrestsThis client is a wheelchair user and has poor trunk control. Their shower chair was uncomfortable as they lent heavily against it and the client’s feet slipped off the footrests due to involuntary spasms of their legs.

Padded armrests, higher on the side to which the client habitually leans, were made of sheet foam covered with vinyl, to slip over existing armrests. The footrest was extended with an aluminium plate edged with plastic.

The client is now able to shower in comfort and stability.

(Lincoln)

Saucepan steadying device

Saucepan steadying deviceThe client, being a keen cook, was not able to hold his saucepans/wok/frying pan while cooking because of the loss of the use of his left hand. Therefore, he wanted a device to stop the pans turning.

A device was made of a flat base with two verticals wide enough apart to take the various sized pan handles. Two Terry clips were fitted to the base so that the device could clip to the grid on the gas cooker top. A pair of adjustable stabilisers was fitted so that the device could be used on any gas ring point. The client was very happy with the device.

(Shaftesbury)

Rising foot stool

Rising foot stoolThis client needed to be able to raise his leg onto a footstool at the same level or higher than his hip but did not have the ability to raise his leg so high. The client was able to raise his leg onto a low level foot stool however.

A redundant motorised bath seat was fitted with an upholstered cushion (from the top of the client’s foot stool). When the ‘seat’ was at its lowest level, the client was able to press a switch on the motor to raise the level of the stool to the required height. When the client needed to stand again, the seat was lowered by the switch thus enabling him to remove his leg from the stool.

The client was able to rest his leg at the correct level and without having to call upon help when he wanted to raise or lower his leg. He enjoys his independence.

(Shaftesbury)

Raising a commode

A new ensuite facility at a local hospice was naturally fitted with the latest new regulation height disabled toilet. Commercial commodes are not yet available to suit this height.

The operational height of an available commercial commode was increased by inserting spigot and socket extensions, turned and bored to a nominal 19.5mm diameter from mild steel hexagon bar. Original holes were picked up for the M6 retaining bolts.

The hospice reported on the great benefit of being able to leave a patient to a bit of privacy when it mattered most.

(Chichester & Worthing)

Raising a commode 2Raising a commode 1

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