I’d like to start an equipment discussion for people with any type of disability that affects a person’s grip strength and hand/finger movement. More specifically, what equipment or techniques do you use to drink beverages? I’d like to share what works for me and to learn about what works for other people.
I am 12 years post injury. I am a C5-6 complete quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury from a diving accident. I have no grip strength, no finger or hand movement and my fingers are in a closed/fisted position. I spent years trying out different types of equipment and different techniques for drinking beverages.
I dislike using straws all of the time, so I use a cool simple product called the uDrink. It is a unique handle with a strap that can go around any time of cup, can, glass or bottle. A friend of mine helped develop the uDrink so it could help me and others with disabilities affecting their hands. You can find out more about the uDrink here: http://www.u-adapt.com/udrink.html
Please write about what equipment you use, or what techniques that you’ve found helpful. I think this topic could help a lot of people.
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
i'm c4-5 incomplete. ii use long straw. i also have a cup holder attatched to back of chair with a long bendy type straw that come up around to my mouth. i use that at place there are no tables. i would spil more than i would get in my mouth with the strap thing you use.
