Because of the nature of my paralysis I cannot use everyday items that most people take for granted. My hands are “flopped” open and I have no grip or manual dexterity. So every piece of gear, from the vehicle I drive to the clothes I wear, will have to be modified. I’ve included a few examples here so you can get a better idea of the issues I face.
VEHICLE
I will be driving either a Ford Expedition EL or a Chevrolet Suburban. While I have narrowed the selection down to those two vehicles I haven’t decided on which one yet. Regardless, an extensive and complex overhaul will have to be done to whichever vehicle I choose.
1. A complete, self leveling, air-ride shock system will have to be installed. Including air tanks, compressor, and tubing. This will allow me to lower and raise the vehicle to facilitate getting in and out without someone’s assistance.
2. The driver’s side, rear door will have to be removed and a custom built door kit installed to allow the rear door to open the opposite direction of normal.
3. The interior will have to be gutted and an interior wheelchair lift will have to be installed.
4. A special power inverter will have to be wired into place to change the 12v DC power to 110v AC power in order to run my wheelchair charger. This will also run other items, such as my laptop, camera charging system, and three terabytes of external hard-drives.
CLOTHING
The paralysis in my hands/fingers precludes me from performing simple, everyday tasks like buttons, snaps, zippers, and tying shoelaces.
My local seamstress came up with a great idea. She had me buy some denim jeans that were two inches to big in the waist. She sewed the fly and button shut and added elastic into the waistband to take in the extra two inches. Then she completed the modification by adding heavy chamois cotton flannel over the elastic so it wouldn’t irritate my skin. This last part was critical as paraplegics and quadriplegics have to be constantly aware of developing skin irritations as they can turn into sores, which can easily become infected, or worse.
Now all I have to do is slip my hands into the waistband and pull them on. The concept is a lot like jeans for little children. However, it enables me to dress myself without the need for a nurse-aid.
