I buy and return so many things on Amazon on a weekly (often daily) basis that I’m pretty sure that one of these days, instead of Alexa announcing, “Lainie, you’ve got a package”, she’ll instead assert, “Lainie, your account has been suspended because your constant returns are a complete waste of my time, energy, and bottom line.” Either that, or my husband’s gonna change our Amazon Prime password and cut off my access.
Although our front porch is a resolving door of packages in and out, there are three really cool items I’ve purchased in recent weeks and actually kept and use. These products are inexpensive and life-changing for anyone with hand weakness, neuropathy, and tremors.
#1 SLICE
One of the greatest annoyances for anyone with hand-related challenges is struggling to open packages of any kind. Like most people, I use to use scissors to attempt to pry open boxes and cut through layers and layers of hard plastic to try and dislodge items from their ridiculously unfriendly packaging – often nicking a finger (or four) in the process.
That is, until I discovered the convenience and ease of Slice. With it’s circular J hook handle, ceramic blades, and soft, non-slip rubber grip, Slice is not your average horror movie type box cutter of yesteryear. Instead, Slice is disability friendly and completely safe to use.
The patented Slice handle wraps around your fingers, protecting you from staples and providing you with the perfect angle to minimize muscular effort and wrist strain. It also has a very shallow cutting depth that minimizes blade exposure. Since I lack a working pincher grip due to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, I was concerned that the manual sliding of the blade mechanism would be difficult, if not impossible, for my fingers to perform. But I was happily surprised to discover that Slice’s blade opens fairly easily using just a thumb and little pressure. Bonus, Slice is very modern looking and available in fun colors like orange and lime. You guys know I’m a total sucker for cool looking design!
#2 LOOPY CASE
How many of you have trouble holding your phones, especially because of how big smartphones seem to keep getting. Holding a phone can be hard for anyone, let alone someone who has tremors and spasms in their hands and fingers. As an occupational therapy major, I am always looking for new ideas for future clients. Well, I’m super excited to share with the Trend-Able Tribe a new phone case that makes holding your phone much easier – It’s called Loopy.
I found this company scrolling through social media, and decided to order one, and let me tell you, they make holding and carrying your phone way easier. Loopy has cases for Apple, Samsung, and Google products. The phone cases come with a rubber loop that is embedded in the phone case, so that it is easier to carry and hold your phone. The best part is that when you order your case, they even have options for a left Loopy case, which being left handed, is super cool for me.
Loopy cases comes in many different patterns and colors that there is one out there for everyone. The cases are also very protective and light weight. Another thing I have found with other cases is that they are pretty heavy and bulky, but Loopy cases are super thin so can slide into pockets and purses easily. The loops are rubber and so they bend super easily when laying the phone on a surface or into a pocket.
Do you get bored of having the same phone case after a while? Loopy cases also have interchangeable, colored loops that you can order for only $5, so it’s like having a whole new case. Switching the loops is super easy too! They even offer glow-in-the-dark loops for those with vision impairments. I love my Loopy case! I hope it can help you hold on to your phone too!
#3 A BETTER BUTTON
I’ve talked about magnetic button shirts before, like the cute ones featured on our brand partner, Juniper’s website, and the ones from Buttons2Buttons, available on Amazon both individually and as a set that you can use to replace the buttons on your own shirts and other lightweight fabric items. But, getting on and off jeans is definitely a huge pain-point for many people with disabilities. Although there are many cute styles of pull-on denim available these days, people with disabilities should be able to wear “regular jeans” if they want to. Right? And thanks to A Better Button, we can! Trend-Able tribe can get 15% off at check out using the code “TA15”
When I first discovered A Better Button on Instagram, I was skeptical. I’d seen magnetic buttons in action before, and although they can be super strong and hold a shirt in place without one’s boobs popping out, denim is thick! Would the button still hold after a night out indulging in one too many salt rimmed margaritas and belly filling carbs?
Well, after ordering A Better Button and having my local seamstress attach it to my favorite pair of designer jeans, I cautiously tested them out. I immediately noticed how easy the large button is to use. As it says on The Better Button website, “It’s a button adapter (NOT an extender) made of durable plastic with a unique keyhole opening. You or a caregiver can quickly & simply insert “A Better ButtonTM” into the button hole of your jeans and slide it over the original button. This creates an easy slide on, slide off closure anyone can do.” It really is easy! Check out their demonstration video below:
#4 GARDENING TOOLS
Although I don’t exactly have a green thumb (my house is where plants go to die), I do attempt to add some color to the front of our house by planting a few trays of annuals at the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, it’s the remembering to water them part that gets me (and ultimately them).
This year I discovered these ergonomic gardening tools and the process got a whole lot easier. They have an extra long soft grip and offer an arm support cuff for people with weak hands or wrists. Pretty cool, right? Now, I just need to tell Alexa to remind me to water.
THE END
What do you think of the above products? Have you tried them? Are there other awesome products for people with disabilities you use and love? I’d love to hear from you in the comment box below.
Xoxo
Lainie
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Hi, thanks for the article! Since have, and use Loopy, I have a few questions.
*When you say left or right-handed, do you mean in which hand you hold the phone while you type with the other? I am not a thumb-typer. I hold the phone with my left, and type with right—so should I get the left-handed loop?
*How hard is it to push the side buttons with the phone in the case? I had Defender OtterBox, but gave up because I couldn’t use the buttons.
Thank you so much for your help. I eagerly await your reply.
Best,
Christine
Hi Christine,
Yes, you should get a left-handed case since you hold the phone with your left hand and type with the right. The buttons are very easy to push compared to an Otterbox. The buttons are not big and bulky like the Otterbox brand.