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There are numerous tools and pieces of equipment
that are involved during the process of treating those with GBS, and then
during the recovery phase. Here I will provide photo's and
description of equipment you might expect to see, and other you might
consider asking about! If you have suggestions or others to
contribute to this page please Contact
Me!
This first group of pictures was
sent to me by Marc. All of the narrative was sent to me along with
the photos. Thanks for sharing!
Click the photo to see
it full size.
Water therapy. This is what any disability
accessible pool should have.
A seat that picks you up and puts you in, as well as takes you out of
pool.
I could neither stand or walk on my own at the time
I started pool
therapy. This is where my first real steps on my own started.
Wheelchair-self explanatory.
Head array system: Used on wheelchair in the
beginning when all I could
move was my head. Note chair programmer in picture, also. A much forgotten
devise
that goes with chair that suppliers like to keep for themselves at your
expense.
Van: Have to have a box to put it
all in right? The van is a standard conversion done by independents.
This is a Rollex conversion. Drop floor, kneels on right side, electric
sliding
door opens, ramp drops down electrically. All done by switch on side dash,
by
the door inside next to the ramp and via toggle in right rear tail lamp.
Has
tie down system in floor for a variety of positions, both front seats come
out. Right side passenger seat floor has a clamp for locking in the
chair. Drivers side manual sliding door.
Computer set up and mouth stick.
Just drive up and park and get to work.
You can actually get pretty fast
with one of those things. Note keyboard
riser. Although I don't use this system anymore, it
allowed me to get back in the game, to some degree, sooner then most.
People
tend to take a 'wait it out' position and then realize how much time was
wasted in doing so. I would have wasted a year and a half if I went that
way.
Standing table: Do sit to stand,
heel cord stretches, standing endurance
and much more. Drive right up in wheelchair, put harness around your butt,
clip strap to bars, knees against pads, pump handle and you're up.
Walking frame: Because of lack of
arm use, I had the pads set up to lay
my forearms in and I pushed it forwards.
This is my electric door opener.
This infrared, battery back up system made
an escape route available. Unfortunately, it's not covered by insurance
and
cost about $1800 installed. It is deductible on the federal tax return
though.
At that time, I couldn't even turn a door knob but I could stick a finger
out
and push a button. Along the left side of the pic (white part) you can see
my
opener is double backed taped to a wall. Just roll up, push button, and
door
opens. While door is in locked position too. So someone can't just come up
and open the door from the outside. It's completely programmable for
entry/exit times and other functions.
The outside part is a key pad screwed to the siding by the doorbell. Just
roll up the ramp, punch in your code and the door opens.
Remote controls for TV/Stereo. Again, at this time I
had no grip but could
push a button. So, I took a drum practice pad I had (available at any
music
store) and double backed taped them to the pad. Put some dysum underneath
to
keep it from sliding around and your ready for action. Note the angle
though.
This allows the signal to reach the TV easier
Condom caths. This is the system I
used when I got home. There are many
types of these and brands and some don't work as well as others do. Note
the
square blue packet in the middle. This is a skin barrier you apply before
the
cath. I used this for over a year and never had any problem with
infections or
skin issues. The ultimate couch potato tool also. Thinking about starting
an
internet business selling those units
Page #2
Because of the download time for dial up
users, this is continued on another page!
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This page was last modified:
March 27, 2005
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