Joining the Babes with Mobility Aids club

I am now a babe with a mobility aid!

My disability is dynamic – that is, my functionality can change depending on the severity of my Ichthyosis and also physical and attitudinal barriers I face.

My body’s reaction to the chemotherapy has meant it’s been hard for me to stand, walk and wear shoes; and do anything with my hands. So I’ve been using some mobility aids and accessibility tools.

Here’s a few aids and tools I’ve bought and was given recently – they’ve made it easier for me.

To take the load off my feet:

Fold up wheelchair (so I can get outside of the house while I’m not able to walk long distances)
Shower stool (to sit on in the shower)
Crocs (to be worn with thick, fluffy socks)

To protect my hands:

Cotton gloves (because the skin on my hands is so raw
Tablet dispenser (because tablets are really hard to get out of their foil packs while I have sore hands)

Mobility aids and accessibility tools don’t mean you are giving up. They can make it easier to move and do tasks, enabling easier participation at home and in the community. Don’t worry about what other people think when you’re using them, or that using them gives away that you’re disabled. Coming to the realisation that you need access provisions and tools to make your life easier can be liberating.

Being a part of the disability community and seeing the many ways my disabled friends and colleagues use mobility aids and accessibility tools has meant I have no shame needing to use them too.

What mobility aids and/or accessibility tools have you found make your life easier?

Has my work helped you think about disability and appearance diversity differently? Please consider buying me a drink. Thanks!

🧡

Images: 1. Carly, rugged up in a wheelchair, holding an ice cream. 2. A blue and white shower stool in the shower. 3. Blue Crocs and thick striped socks. 4. White cotton gloves. 5. A blue and clear plastic tablet dispenser.