What is the sound of one hand clapping?

One answer for this Zen riddle is to teach a person to accomplish perceived impossibilities by looking not at the problem alone, or the handicap, but to look at the entire situation from every possible point of view, and then to look from the point of view that isn't there.

Rehabmart may be able to provide the point of view regarding everyday activities which most people take for granted, but may be difficult for people with one hand, or who have hand weakness, arthritis, or limited hand movement and reach to accomplish. 

People like to look nice and clean and feel good about themselves, yet for people with the use of only one hand, personal hygiene can become problematic in a two-handed world.  Not being able to easily button clothes, clean yourself, wash your hair during a shower, clip and trim finger nails, or even put toothpaste on a toothbrush can become a frustrating pain in the bathroom.  The following items can assist people with one hand or hand weakness to do the little tasks that many of us take for granted.

  

The Maxi Travel Button Hook with Zipper Pull is one example which can aid people with weak grip, limited dexterity, arthritis, or the use of only one hand.  Using this is as simple as buttoning a shirt with two hands.  Just pass the loop through a buttonhole and slip it over the button, then simply pull the button back through the hole.  Although the Maxi Button Hook is small and great for travel, its orange color will make it easier to locate when needed.  It also comes with a zipper pull hook to pull up zippers.

  


The Body Care Hair Washer is a 10 inch long, curved handle scrub brush with closed-celled foam that is covered with a comfortable nylon mesh which will provide gentle scrubbing and easy bathing for people with limited range of motion to shampoo independently.  The nonslip rubber handle will provide a secure grip while in the shower. 

  

The Easy-Pull Hairbrush is a hairbrush with a wrap-around, easy-to-fasten Velcro® strap handle that will fit around the hand for those with minimal hand function to grasp a hairbrush.  The widely spaced latex-free plastic bristles have tiny bulbs on the tips so the brush can glide easily through all types of hair with minimal pull.

  

The Press-On One-Handed Nail Clipper will make clipping nails with one hand not only possible but easy to do.  With just a gentle press of the hand the nail clipper will effortlessly clip finger nails.  Centered on a bulky and extended base for stability and leverage, the rubber platform will hold the clipper in place while being used.  This is also a great product for people who find small and fine instruments difficult to manage properly.

  


The countertop Toothpaste Dispenser  will make it easy to put the correct amount of toothpaste on the toothpaste brush bristles without the mess and trouble.  Simply align the toothbrush in the guide located under the toothpaste tube nozzle, and then just press the long lever down with a hand or arm.

  


Once out the shower, the Hands-Free Hair Dryer Pro Stand 2000 will hold a hair dryer steady for one-handed styling and drying.  The hair dryer, which is not included, will nestle securely in a foam padded clamp on top of a flexible neck and can be adjusted to any angle from the sink top or counter top.

The sound of one hand clapping is the delightful sound of appreciation from the many people who in the past may have had trouble with the daily personal hygiene skills but now can easily rush through the morning activities as well as anyone else.  To be clean is a good thing and for some to be able to independently do it is a joy worthy of applause.

Bill Stock
Executive Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO