Support for disabled veterans has become a growing concern for occupational therapy practitioners. It was identified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2011 as an “emerging niche”. Sadly, with over 1 million people in active duty, and over 22 million veterans, this need is not going away any time soon. Two wars in recent years have resulted in…
No CommentsFor those who have sustained one, a spinal cord injury (SCI) is undoubtedly one of the most catastrophic events in their lives. How serious the effects of the accident will be really depends on both the severity and the location of the injury. When the spinal cord is damaged or broken, body functions and/or sensation below the level of the…
No CommentsFor those in a wheelchair, it’s normal to feel alienated and kind of alone. Unless you engage in some wheelchair activities, you probably spend most of your time around folks who aren’t in a wheelchair. And we know that strangers aren’t always the friendliest – they often stare, or they try to “figure out” why you’re in a wheelchair, or…
No CommentsWhat is an occupational therapist? Based on mere language alone, it probably sounds like someone that helps a person perform their job. And that’s not incorrect – there’s just a little more to it than that.
No CommentsConsider all the assistance devices, guidance and support services, and personal care necessities that a spinal cord injury (SCI) or mobility challenged person needs in order to live independently within their community.
No CommentsManual vs. electric: a classic battle as old as time. Normally, this is an easy decision – the only reason it’s a decision at all is because of money. Whenever we come up with some sort of manual tool, an electric model can’t be far behind. This is true of razors, air pumps, aerators, toothbrushes, lawnmowers, etc. And in almost…
No CommentsWhen someone you care about or love is affected by a major debilitating condition, it’s common to feel kind of helpless, even useless at times. They’re dealing with a major life-changing situation, and you would love to help – but you don’t know exactly how. Or you’re afraid of doing the wrong thing.
No CommentsPants Up Easy is a provider of a solution which addresses the needs of people with mobility loss, including paraplegics, wounded veterans, those with spinal cord injuries, and the elderly. The need in question is a common one, and extremely problematic to people with disabilities. The apparently simple activity of getting dressing is almost impossible for someone with mobility loss…
No CommentsBeing a caregiver to a paraplegic is a challenging role. It’s a difficult and frustrating situation for the person you’re caring for. They’ve lost a lot of their ability to function independently, perhaps even all of it, and this has probably happened quite unexpectedly. They’ve got to relearn how to do simple daily activities that they used to take for…
No CommentsAny business or organization of substantial size is going to need to procure some amount of goods or services. On the surface, this may appear to be a simple process – locate what you need, arrange the payment, receive the goods, and document it. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Like almost all business functions, there are…
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