Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Up And Down Ambulance Cot

With the flick of a friendly wrist, Susan Armbrecht's new elevating cot with air cylinder (works like the lift) soars to almost iron lung bed height, or lowers to nose-safe depth for station wagons. It can be operated even by a child. It can be stopped at living room chair level or raised to a counter-snooping level on shopping expeditions. Susan had the cot made shorter than usual -- much easier for turning corners and riding crowded elevators. She worked out the details with a local ambulance and mortuary supply company.

Chaissing Around

Janet Ruehling: "Our car is a late model -- almost too late -- but it is a roomy one. We take out the back seat and build the floor up (we used thick magazines) until it is on the same level with the back seat frame-work. Then we placed a chaise lounge (with the back lowered) crossways of the car, on this improvised floor . The chaise must be one that has a bend at the knees as well as a back that can be raised, otherwise, you wouldn't be able to close the door.

I am carried to the car on a strip of canvas (2 people can do it easily) and placed on the chaise. We used the canvas because it provides a much better grip for carrying and an easier entrance and exit to and from the car.

My feet are lowered and my back raised and I can sit very comfortably, with an excellent view out of the front, back and side windows. There is plenty of room for my motor, battery and a stool for someone else.

My only complaint about my first trip this way was the banging my tail bone got as I was slid into place on the chaise. My sister quickly made the suggestion that I tape a piece of foam rubber to my tail bone and I certainly intend to take her up on this."

More Fluid Typing

If you want to type without bothering anyone too often, have your post-cards joined with masking tape, making a long accordion-like flowing strip. (Don't put the tape over the stamp, it may pull it off). Type the addresses on strips or sheets of gummed perforated labels, which can be licked and applied, even by a child.

Use the same label method for putting addresses on envelopes. For letter writing, use extra long legal-size paper; write several on one sheet and have them cut apart later. Or, if you are a very prolific writer, use a roll of shelf paper in a width to suit your typewriter. You can make your own address labels by typing the address between the letters, and then have them cut out and pasted on the envelopes later.

About Bathtubs

A suggestion for a really long long bath tub came from Martin L. Wilson, Tampa, Florida -- an alumnus of the Augusta Georgia Respiratory Center:

"Have a plumber make your tub out of galvanized sheet metal. It can be made any length, width and depth you desire. A drain pipe can be soldered to bottom at the foot end and attached to other drains.

Have a carpenter build a frame work that will hold the tub with a "sunken top" so there will be a floor under the bottom of the tub to help support it. It can be filled with a siphon or extra faucets can be installed to fit over the side and need not be attached to the tub. A board about three feet long, with one end on the edge of the tub at the head end and the other end in the bottom will support the upper part of the body so one will not have to lie flat and yet not be in upright position. A foam rubber pad tightly covered with a rubber or plastic sheet can be placed in the bottom of the tub for padding."

Gooseneck Shower

An adjustable, flexible shower arm has head with lever for either needle sprayer gentle stream. Chrome on brass; fits all connections. $7.95 from Banner Scientific Supply, Lincoln Bldg. New York, 17, N.Y.

Lorgnette-Style Smoking

The Editor's cigarette holder is a most sophisticated lognette type. Stiff wire in dowel for handle, looped several times on cigarette end. Use of it involves only slight wrist or finger movement."

"Ham" Radio Operator

Bob Dickum, 504 Lincoln St, Struthers Ohio, spends most of his time with his radio station K8JDO. He says it is a hobby that can be taken up by anyone who is willing to some studying about the basic fundamentals of radio and the learning of the Morse code.

It takes only a small investment to get some used equipment or you can build your own if you are able. He has about $300 worth of equipment but he started with $55 worth. He has his receiver and transmitter in the front room and talks to people all over the country every day without leaving his house.

He has a polio friend who lives about 20 miles away and they have a talk everyday. His friend has only a limited use of two fingers on his right hand, so almost anyone can be set up to use and enjoy the equipment. The "Ham Op's" are a great bunch and will give all the help needed, especially to a handicapped person. For more information, Bob recommends "How to Become an Amateur Radio Operator" which is available at most newsstands.

Robert I. Shibley, 657 N. Firestone , Akron, 1, Ohio -- a veteran of many respirator centers - is also a "ham."

Having Trouble Drinking?

Do you have to put your finger in the drink to get it up to your face? Try the loving cup style with two handles. Sally Russell tried one and reports: "Works just wonderful. It is weighted on bottom so won't tip -- but still light enough so easily lifted by weak hands." Order from Fascole Corp. 229 Fourth Ave., New York, 3, N.Y. Their catalog describes it: "No. 141 Twin-Handled Cup. Weighted base keeps it upright. 'See-through' lid is splash-proof. Made in lustrous shatterproof plastic. $1 plus .15 shipping. Get on their mailing list for other items for the physically disabled.

Watch And Earn - T.V. Monitor

Three of the outpatients from our Center are trying TV monitoring. If, after a glimpse at their experiences, you are interested, write to: Mr. Ray Skyler, Personnel Director, National Television Monitor Co, Inc. 601 Madison Avenue, New York, 22, N.Y. and send a postcard requesting progress report and questionnaires on TV to Eastern, P.V.A., 432 Fourth Avenue, New York, 16, N.Y.

Ida Brinkman (no use of hands or arms, types with mouthstick) reports that she enjoys it. "It is wonderful to have something definite to do. It gives me a boost. It makes me feel good to be able to do it all by my-self- except roll the paper into the typewriter." She takes it down directly onto scratch paper, then types it on the report the next morning. When she first filled out the form she specified certain hours when she would be unable to do it. At first tried the noon hour, but found it interfered with the children's lunch hour jabber. Now monitors from 4 to 6:30 pm on three days a week, and about one hour on two days. Sometimes she has to watch something special, and she is notified ahead of time. She averages about $8 a week and is happy to have the extra. It does not interfere with the supper hour, because the children would have been watching the programs anyway. There isn't too much typing. The average report is about 12 lines and "the more you do it, the easier it becomes because it falls into a simple pattern."

Jean Lang (same as above) takes the reports on tape and transcribes them later, with mouthstick typing. She has had some difficulty coordinating the monitoring with the family activities. When the assigned hours are in an unbroken span, they are easier for her to manage. When too many other things intervene, she has to call on other members of the family to help catch up, and she would prefer not to involve anyone else in her own project.

Adele Mockbee (limited use of hands and arms) said that it is no strain. They are paid $1 an hour (watching time of whole program) and their attention is directed to monitoring the commercials. One is sure of making $7 per week. If two sheets are sent out, they are paid double. Occasionally they get a long distance call from New York instructing them to watch an additional special show.

Post-Polio Resort

The following story appeared in "The Torch" of Beta Sigma Phi: "With her typical spirit of courage, Debbie Walter, a 'shut-in', is making plans for a motel where respiratory and muscular involved patients may enjoy a vacation. 'Surf Side Rancho' will be located on the beach near Los Angeles and will be equipped with a large sun deck, special loading ramps, and television sets.

Plans call for all units to be wired so as to provide correct outlets for special equipment, and there will be an emergency source in case of power failure. Personnel will consist of a full-time attendant to assist with management as well as patients, and a maintenance man for the care of the building and grounds.

A post-polio herself, Debbie is aware of adjustment involved. She hopes that Surf Side Rancho will help others with severe muscular and breathing involvements to enjoy a full life."

One of our Editors is corresponding with Debbie and we will have more details in our next issue -- devoted to TRAVEL by respiratories.

Fashions

Titled "Looks build Hope", the Sunday magazine "Parade" carried a story about Helen Cookman's designs for functional and attractive clothes for the disabled. Dr. Howard Rusk brainchilded the idea.

Trousers and slacks zipped over the braces. Zippers go all the way, from half way up to half way down. Slack belt has pockets suspended from it. Jackets have shoulders and pleated backs to allow for use of crutch.

Abbreviated suit jacket for men minimized wheel chair discomfort, danger of catching clothing in transit. Collection includes slip-on vests and zip-on shoes. Washable fabrics are used, many drip-dry. Fabrics are not flammable, don't stick to chairs or have too much static electricity.

These medium-priced clothes (suits cost from $25 to 50) will be sold by mail order from Clothing Research Inc. 400 East 34 st., New York, 16, N.Y. They will also be carried in the spring and summer Sears Roebuck mail order catalog.

Airborne Chess or Checkers

Rhoda English, Volunteer at Crile Veteran Hospital demonstrates a magnetic chess game she has devised for playing at any angle.

There are many places you can acquire small magnets to glue on the bottom of the men (toy companies, etc). The board squares are painted on a sheet of metal. The best beginner's book on chess we have seen is: "Chess Made Simple" -- Made Simple Books Inc. Dept A, 220 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.