Judy: Appendix V., c.

4. Poncho - Because a coat may be too bulky or cumbersome to arrange in public, we have found a poncho to be a very suitable alternative. Mine is really nothing more than a large square of closely woven, light-weight wool (such as a stadium blanket) with a jacket type zipper up the front and a draw-string hood. It goes on easily as a cape, allows maximum arm motion and when I arrive indoors, it can be unzipped and folded over the back of the wheelchair without my having to move. (See Appendix I, drawing 8)
5. Shoes - Because of poor muscle tone in my legs, any days my feet sweet making it difficult or even impossible to wear stiff "people" shoes. The solution we found to this problem is a soft, foldable travel shoe, about one size larger. They come in many styles and colors, so they look good while preventing the feet from getting pressure marks.

Judy: Part II, c.

3. Since most of my productivity and relaxation during the day depends upon the field of communictions in one way or another, we have found or devised much adaptive equipment to aid my independence in this area.
a. In order that I might make telephone calls, we have converted to the pushbutton type phone, which while slightly clumsy for everyday calls, at least enables me to push the "0" button for help in case of an emergency.
1.) For picking up the receiver and answering the phone, I have a "C" cuff of orthoplast taped to the back into which I can slip my hand. Any pliable material, light weight but rigid (such as aluminum) could be used for this. (See Appendix I, drawing 3)

Judy: I, c.

c. Top sheets folded in half, rather than cut, and used double also help to eliminate bulk.
d. A huck drawn sheet fashioned from a two and one-half yard length of the toweling folding in half and stitched securely, makes minor adjustments in my position easier for the nurse.
6. Most mornings include a sponge bath in bed and for this we have found:
a. A two-sided plastic water pail works very well with one side used for soaping and the other side for clear rinsing.
b. During the past five years we have amassed quite a supply of bath linen, which includes more than sixty wash cloths and about a dozen each hand and bath towels. This is really not as extravagant as it seems, because a bad day can wipe out the entire supply. (A soiled wash cloth is never returned to the pail, to prevent contaminating the bath water. Pursuing this topic of contamination, any linen which is dropped or touches the e floor, goes directly into that day's laundry - unused.) Pillow case, bottom sheet and nightgown are all laundered daily along with each morning's accumulation of bath linen. A bacteriostatic fabric softener is always used in the laundry rinse water. All of this may seem over scrupulous, but it has proven effective in maintaining healthy skin.
7. A metal tea cart can be a great help in the daily bath, by wheeling bath water, soap, linen, powder, cologne, Dermassage, etc. right up to the bedside, so everything is within reach. Ours includes an electrical outlet into which a razor or other appliance may be plugged.