Gadget Review
Getting a Grip
For the style-conscious, chunky pens are currently in fashion and have the added benefit of making writing easier since they can be gripped with less effort. They are generally available in the stationery section of your local department store. Also look out for fat pens that provide a cushioned support for your fingers.
If you already have a large collection of slim pens, you can buy various slip-on grips that enlarge the diameter of pens. The Arthwriter is a lightweight plastic ball with a small central hole, designed to help people with hand or finger disabilities to comfortably write, eat and continue with other daily activities. Writing aids help reduce the shake and muscle pain of writing.
Plastazote foaming is available in various sizes and widths to help build up handles and make them easier to grip. The tubing is non-absorbent, non-sticky, washable and dishwasher safe, and is ideal for building up the handles on cutlery, pens, toothbrushes and combs.
However, there are some times when nobody's grip is strong enough. Everyone has faced the jar lid that will not budge despite trying all the usual tricks of twisting the lids whilst wearing rubber gloves etc. For these situations, powered jar and bottle openers are an option and are commonly available in kitchen stores. The universal opener is ideal for opening everything from a large jar of coffee to a tube of toothpaste. Jar and bottle grips can be used to increase the friction between your hands and the jar or bottle. Clamps and holders hold jars stable so that they can be opened with one hand. Slip-resistant mats stop bowls and plates from sliding around, and boards with spikes and raised edges hold food in place for cutting.
A device known as a boa constrictor, which opens jars and bottle, can also be used as a tap turner or to turn on radiator valves and light fittings. Other devices for turning taps include tap turners, moulded plastic lever handles, that can be hooked onto or attached to standard taps. Moulded handles have also been used to make door handles and key turners that have an easy grip and good leverage. Plastic finger loops are also available for turning keys in doors and car ignitions. Gripkit is a plastacine-type compound that adheres to objects and can be moulded to any shape to create custom build handles and levers.
Pens
The Pen Store
http://stores.yahoo.com/gails/ind.html
Ergonomic pens
http://www.safety.duke.edu/Ergonomics/catalog/pens.htm
Arthwriter, multi-openers and rubber twisters
Nottingham Rehab Supplies
http://www.nrs-uk.co.uk
Plastazote tubing
AdaptAbility
http://www.adaptability.com
Universal opener and jar and bottle grips
Ashdale Healthcare Ltd
http://www.ashdale-healthcare.co.uk
Tap turners
Westons
http://www.westons.com
Search assistance
If you cannot find suppliers for your area listed above, use these keywords to search for suppliers:
Ergonomic pens, Grippit, Writing Bird, Arthwriter, Gripkit, Plastazote, EZY twist, Universal opener, Boa constrictor, Selectagrip, Capgrippa, Dycem Grip-it, Grizzly Universal Bottle Opener, Safety Lid Lifter, Medici tap turner, crystal and crosshead tap turner, X-Tap tap turner.
