Support to aid teeth brushing
Our client, Timothy, a wheelchair user, was experiencing difficulties leaning forward over the washbasin when cleaning his teeth. His Occupational Therapist suggested that handles on both sides of the wash basin would be useful to pull his upper body forward. The wall behind the basin was not suitable for attaching a support, so an alternative needed to be designed.
The Challenge
To enable Timothy to pull himself forward, the support needed to be secure and, if possible, blended into the existing bathroom fittings.
The solution
Two handles were made from short lengths of 20mm oak dowel. These were connected with 3500mm long x 2.5mm dia stainless steel rods to each end of a piece 500mm x 25mm wood running across the width of a basin and wedged securely behind the central tap pillar. The steel rods were secured at either end by deforming the rod ends into rivet shapes, using washers to further hold the support in place. The support was painted with three coats of white paint to blend in with the other bathroom fittings.
The benefit
Timothy can now easily clean his teeth, maintaining his independence.
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