It can be tools upon tools after a spinal cord injury, especially with quadriplegia, and the number of gadgets to help make life easier for people with quadriplegia can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, the gadgets used at the beginning of a spinal cord injury come from therapists, not from where the best recommendations lie – from the users themselves. Our article below profiles some of the most popular tools used by people with quadriplegia on a regular basis.
Since they were invented in the mid-2000s, e-wheels/electric wheels for manual wheelchairs have completely changed the game for millions of wheelchair users. They replace the standard wheels on manual wheelchairs and are battery-powered, making them much easier to push. They in fact open up a whole new world of manual wheelchair use for people with weaker arms. Also, e-wheels are incredibly important for people who want to preserve their shoulders as the years progress after their injury.
There are different e-wheels/power assist options as well. Other than a wheel with a battery in the center hub replacing the standard wheel, there's an additional powered wheel add-on that is clamped onto the back of the wheelchair and gives the wheelchair an additional 5th wheel; but one that is powered. A popular version of this power add-on is the SmartDrive.
Home automation has completely revolutionized the way people with quadriplegia interact with objects in their homes, and it is possible to operate them from a phone thanks to the Google Home app. This amazing technology is a hub and app that lets you set up, manage and automate, as well as control thousands of compatible devices in your home. It can turn your lights on/off at scheduled times throughout the day, it can check on the weather, play the news, turn on the TV, adjust the volume, and it can even control the thermostat. If it is an electric device in your home, chances are it can be controlled with Google Home.
Similar to Google Home being able to control your light fixtures, you can also install smart switches throughout your home that replace traditional wall switches. These are typically used to control light fixtures and they can connect to the internet, allowing you to control whatever it’s built into remotely by using Google Home or you can use a voice assistant such as Alexa. The good news is that smart switches can still be operated manually as well if you desire to do so.
In the world of incomplete and lower level quadriplegia, many people are able to still wear gloves but lack full dexterity, which is why Nike's football gloves have become popular among people with this level of injury as it enhances their ability to hold and grip objects throughout the day and they help keep the hand open. Nike sells a variety of different football gloves that all contain "MagniGrip" material making it immensely easier to grab things.
One of the most frustrating things in the life of wheelchair users is getting things off the ground and for quadriplegics, the standard reacher typically doesn't work since it requires excellent dexterity to use them. This is why The QUADTOOLS Reacher, a custom-made reacher designed by a quadriplegic, has become the standard go-to reacher for most quadriplegics. This reacher works purely with wrist extension thanks to its lever technology, making only wrist movement required to activate the "squeeze” so even those with a C4 injury can use it.
When it comes to low-level quadriplegia, there's nothing more frustrating than thinking you have a hold of something, but then you don't. This is especially common when it comes to attempting heavier items, which is why gripping aids from the Active Hands Company are so popular among people with quadriplegia. Their General Purpose Gripping Aid can be sold for either left or right-handed individuals and is made out of sturdy Nylon material, as well as Velcro, making it possible to hold items that would typically fall right out of the hand of a quadriplegic. People will use these gripping aides to hold things like wrist weights, hair styling tools, sports equipment, and more.
An add-on for the QUADTOOLS Reacher mentioned above is the Sip-n-Grip; a mouth-powered accessory that enables the coveted "squeeze" that is so essential by simply using one's breath to activate the function while holding the reacher. This accessory allows many people with quadriplegia to achieve tremendous independence.
It may be something that many of us take for granted but having a smartphone with Bluetooth is a game changer for people with quadriplegia. Bluetooth technology is what allows people to connect to appliances and technology in their home through apps like Google Home and it can also do amazing things like let you operate a computer mouse by using your phone or turn a television into a laptop.
For people with quadriplegia who miss playing video games, you can't find a better tool than Quadstick, a mouth-powered video game controller that returns the ability to play like they once were able. The Quadstick is compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, and PC games so people are able to play most games on the market with this tool. The Quadstick is operated by a series of sip-and-puff switches that are attached to the end of a joystick and operated with one's mouth. Also, for those who are interested in getting one but cannot afford it, the AbleGamers charity may be able to help.
Remember, there are new adaptive tools coming out each year so it's a great idea to check out what's new in the world of adaptive tools on a regular basis. You never know what could be out there that has the possibility to transform your life.