I don’t really like focusing on what I can’t do coz it’s a bit shite and a bit neggy, but this post might highlight some things you might not think about and if you know someone with a disability you could maybe lend a hand with.
Earrings & Necklaces
I have my ears pierced 12 times, my nose and belly button pierced too. Minus maybe putting a hoop or 2 in, my hands cannot get the backs on earrings. Especially the ones that are little balls. If my earrings fall out I either just go into a piercing shop to get them to put them back in or sometimes my friends will help me if they cool with it. Same sort of boat (less waxy) with necklaces. I’m not able to open and close the little clips, I got myself a few higher quality pieces so I can keep them on and shower and sleep with them on. I’m fortunate enough to have had the funds to do this but just offering your wee pal a hand to put one on might help them feel a lil extra glitz for a while – who don’t wana do that!
Cutting Toenails
HOLY GUACAMOLE – I’ll save going into details here coz I hate feet too. I have one of my toes fused coz basically it did a 180 on me, and due to this, where another toe would bend to compensate any impact, this big tae nail just gets hammered every goddamn day. Sair!
Anyway – if you picture yourself yourself cutting your toenails, I imagine you perched nicely with your knee bent and your toes flexed up towards your cutting/clipping device. Snip, snippididoda, done.
Cut to me with legs crossed over, bent round and twisted up as close to me as possible. ZERO DORSIFLEXION. And I’m cutting my toenails with my foot upside down and pulling my toes backwards to reach them. Horrible.
Not sure how you’d feel about helping someone cut their toenails but wash yer hands and get on wi it!
Cooking
Good Gordon Highlander. Is all I can say.
Everything from opening packets, chopping, peeling, lifting pots with boiling water, draining, opening jars and containers, getting stuff out a boiling hot oven, carrying plates with food on them, cutting up food, the lot.
I am a hazard and a liability hahah. When my Mum was alive she got it set up for me that I had a personal assistant/carer to help with meal prep and cooking, I am absolutely no way clued up or organised enough to even know how she did that – it was through local authority, and I’ve also moved city – but I get by where I can and am EXTREMELY LUCKY in that the saying ‘you’d get a piece n jam at anybody’s door’ is literally me! My friends look after me so SO well!
Checking in on someone to make sure they can have a wee meal is so uplifting and generous. From someone who would easily live on dry wheatabix and toast and beans, it really does make such a difference, and costs nothing ❤
SPLINT UP, LOOK SHARP 