The intersection of struggle care and accommodation
October 30, 2023 12:54 AM Subscribe
I'm very short but am not legally disabled. How can I find tools that will make my life easier?Basic
Basically what it says on the tin. I'm 4'10. I basically live life with a grabber at my side. I recently discovered that if I stand on a stepstool to do the dishes then my arms will not be held up in the air and water will drip off my hands instead of down my elbows.
What other tools exist? Google is failing me, I think because I don't have the correct language.
Basically what it says on the tin. I'm 4'10. I basically live life with a grabber at my side. I recently discovered that if I stand on a stepstool to do the dishes then my arms will not be held up in the air and water will drip off my hands instead of down my elbows.
What other tools exist? Google is failing me, I think because I don't have the correct language.
I’ve got three inches on you but:
Squatty potty will let you have you feet not dangle at the toilet.
Some standing desks can go exquisitely low, or you can get a rocking foot stool. It took me ages to figure out sitting with my feet hanging made my lower back ache.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:42 AM on October 30, 2023
Squatty potty will let you have you feet not dangle at the toilet.
Some standing desks can go exquisitely low, or you can get a rocking foot stool. It took me ages to figure out sitting with my feet hanging made my lower back ache.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:42 AM on October 30, 2023
Not specifically a tool but a setup that has helped me. Instead of cooking on the electric range anymore, I set up a tray table like this (Amazon link but you can probably get it elsewhere) and I cook things on an induction cooktop on it. It makes such a difference to me when I can look down on my workspace (and chopping board!) instead of struggling. I don't think I'd use a very hot thing on it like a toaster oven unless I placed it on a temperature resistant pad or something. I also use my Instant Pot on it and let me tell you it's so nice to be able to look in the dang pot while I'm cooking.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 2:18 AM on October 30, 2023
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 2:18 AM on October 30, 2023
This only applies if you own your place and are able to throw money at the issue, but someone I used to know had counters (and the sink) installed several inches lower than "normal". Sure, a future owner might want to replace them all with normal height counters, but she wanted things at a correct height for her while she lived there.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:57 AM on October 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 5:57 AM on October 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Here's one of my favorite hacks: I use my kitchen sink as a lower surface in my kitchen. Need to do a lot of mixing? I put my mixing bowl in the sink, and it's easier to mix because the lip of the bowl is much lower. Need to measure flour out of big canisters? Put the canisters inside the sink, and they're instantly 6-12" lower and easier to scoop and sweep flour from.
I've found that there are some wonderful occupational therapists (OTs) online who love to show off gadgets. EquipMeOT is my favorite. She does short videos showing cool tools and hacks for a variety of disabilities. You may find that some are helpful for you as well. You might find someone on instagram who's highlighting problem-solving for being shorter than average. You may need to do some digging, but here's one hashtag that has a few things - these are more ideas than gadgets, but I'm sure there's other people who are promoting their gadget hacks.
posted by hydra77 at 7:42 AM on October 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
I've found that there are some wonderful occupational therapists (OTs) online who love to show off gadgets. EquipMeOT is my favorite. She does short videos showing cool tools and hacks for a variety of disabilities. You may find that some are helpful for you as well. You might find someone on instagram who's highlighting problem-solving for being shorter than average. You may need to do some digging, but here's one hashtag that has a few things - these are more ideas than gadgets, but I'm sure there's other people who are promoting their gadget hacks.
posted by hydra77 at 7:42 AM on October 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Library rolling stools(example) are made so they roll easily, but when you stand on them, they become immobile, for safety.
The Association for Little People has lots of resources for adaptive equipment. Also, information about the safety of air bags, which are designed for average sized people, and can have some dangers for those of us who have to sit closer to the pedals and the airbags.
posted by theora55 at 10:04 AM on October 30, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Association for Little People has lots of resources for adaptive equipment. Also, information about the safety of air bags, which are designed for average sized people, and can have some dangers for those of us who have to sit closer to the pedals and the airbags.
posted by theora55 at 10:04 AM on October 30, 2023 [5 favorites]
Cushion to boost me 2 inches when I drive so I have better visibility. I use the coccyx cut-out kind so on long road trips I also reduce my tailbone and lower back pain! Similarly I shove a rolled up shirt (plus a tennis ball if my glutes are especially unhappy) under my butt if I have to fly to deal with the dangling feet problem.
Clothes rack for easier access to clothing (compared to over-door hooks especially, otherwise I have to jump to hang up my coat). Some of the entryway bench + coat rack combos are also adjustable, I used to have mine at the lowest setting but needed more hooks than I needed the lower height.
Storage ottomans instead of using overhead shelving. It's where I keep bedding, towels, etc. I stuff bulkier winter items like the electric blankets and comforter into a big plastic storage tub with a latching lid. P.S. I put an unopened bar of soap (like hotel bathroom size) in all storage containers to help with the mustiness. P.P.S. I find reasonably priced, basic storage ottomans at Ross Dress for Less.
House slippers with a 1 to 2 inch thick sole. I have short arms so even at 5 foot 1 inch, most shelving is hard to reach. When I had 2 inch thick soles it was so much easier.
Shelf riser/rack/shelfs? I put all the most used dishes on the lowest shelf in the cabinet, but can do so by effectively turning that shelf into two shelves.
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:19 AM on October 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Clothes rack for easier access to clothing (compared to over-door hooks especially, otherwise I have to jump to hang up my coat). Some of the entryway bench + coat rack combos are also adjustable, I used to have mine at the lowest setting but needed more hooks than I needed the lower height.
Storage ottomans instead of using overhead shelving. It's where I keep bedding, towels, etc. I stuff bulkier winter items like the electric blankets and comforter into a big plastic storage tub with a latching lid. P.S. I put an unopened bar of soap (like hotel bathroom size) in all storage containers to help with the mustiness. P.P.S. I find reasonably priced, basic storage ottomans at Ross Dress for Less.
House slippers with a 1 to 2 inch thick sole. I have short arms so even at 5 foot 1 inch, most shelving is hard to reach. When I had 2 inch thick soles it was so much easier.
Shelf riser/rack/shelfs? I put all the most used dishes on the lowest shelf in the cabinet, but can do so by effectively turning that shelf into two shelves.
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:19 AM on October 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Control sink faucets via pedal valves.
Various toe-kick / fold-out / integrated step stools
Pull-down or pull-out clothing rods
Pull-down or pull-out shelving, under-counter roll-out/swing-out pantry organization (Rev-a-Shelf products as examples; the website has more options)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:18 AM on October 30, 2023
Various toe-kick / fold-out / integrated step stools
Pull-down or pull-out clothing rods
Pull-down or pull-out shelving, under-counter roll-out/swing-out pantry organization (Rev-a-Shelf products as examples; the website has more options)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:18 AM on October 30, 2023
I am only half an inch taller than you! It really can make life difficult.
Not the exact same brand that I bought, but this fold-up portable footrest has made life so much easier for me when I have to sit somewhere in public, on transit, etc. It's small enough that you can fit it in a backpack or a large bag easily.
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 12:36 AM on November 1, 2023
Not the exact same brand that I bought, but this fold-up portable footrest has made life so much easier for me when I have to sit somewhere in public, on transit, etc. It's small enough that you can fit it in a backpack or a large bag easily.
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 12:36 AM on November 1, 2023
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These long hooks are great for hanging things overhead when I can't quite reach the hanging target (curtain rod, overhead metal loop outside, door top, etc.). I got two lengths and they are _great_. I'm constantly surprising myself with new uses for them.
The main one is adjusting the heights of the shelves in the kitchen cabinets. That doesn't help a _lot_, but it does help.
I also have purchased and installed bathroom / "medicine" cabinets at a height that's comfortable for me.
My favorite though is that I made a desk for myself that's actually comfortable to sit at - it's much lower than normal desks. I've also found chairs at thrift stores that are more comfortable for me -- I think they came from middle schools in the 70's and/or other kid-centric sources. It's a great setup when I use it (I didn't make the desktop big enough to accommodate all my computer stuff, so I should revisit that).
posted by amtho at 1:35 AM on October 30, 2023