Equipment list

This page has been compiled as a list of equipment and suppliers that members of HemiHelp have over the years found useful in living and dealing with hemiplegia. Please help us keep it up to date by letting us know of any changes to the details you find here, or if you discover a brilliant piece of equipment and think others should know about it. If you have any suggestions, please contact us. Included here are aids for writing, dressing, washing and eating as well as a few miscellaneous suggestions all for use and exercise of either with one hand or with limited use for both hands and then, towards the end, there is an address directory for you to contact the suppliers directly.

Aids for writing

Angled Desk Top Angled desk top with magnetic top Posturite (UK) Ltd Bookstand/clipboard/sloping board Beesneez

Desk Clamp 'free hand' desk clamp - assists with reading, writing and drawing Peta

Drafting head 'Variomatic' by Staedller Good for geometry Available from all good stationers.

Foam Grip 'Dexball' holds pen, pencil, or spoon in position Insight Medical Products

Hand huggers Triangular colouring and lead pencils, colouring pens and markers and triangular ink pens. Buy Hand Huggers online from the HemiHelp shop >>

Keyboards Computer Keyboard designed for use with one hand PCD Maltron, ThinkGeek

Magnetic boards A4 paper can be secured to a metal board using magnets or slipped between pages of an exercise book. (These boards have sharp edges and therefore should be bound or framed before they are given to children) DMC Creative Designs or NES Arnold

Pencil Grips Either specially molded or triangular make grip much easier Nottingham Rehab and Homecraft

Rulers and Geometry Sets 'Discovery' & 'Achiever' by Helix. These are good maths sets, which can have magnetic strips stuck on the back for use with or without a metal/magnetic board. Available from all good stationers.

Rulers and protractors with handles NES Arnold

Ruler Cutter and Mat Operates along the same lines as a traditional guillotine Brookvine Home Shopping

Scissors Self-opening handles of loop scissors are easy to grip and can be operated with just a small squeeze. Peta scissorcraft, Functional Solutions, Stirex, NES Arnold Easy grip scissors. Homecraft Left Handed Scissors Anything Left-Handed

Personal hygiene

Long reach sponge Plyfoam sponge on an extra long handle Keep Able and Homecraft

Nail Clipper Board Securely attached to a plastic base on suckers to provide stability whilst clipping Functional Solutions (part of Promedics)

Plaster cast cover Waterproof protectors that slip over casts and splints to protect them when taking a bath or shower. Homecraft, VM Marketing & Help at Home

Stay put nail brush Secured with suckers this nail brush doesn't need to be hand held Keep Able

Tube squeezer Attach to a tube of eg. Toothpaste for simple controllable Keep Able

Aids for eating

Dycem & Stay in place Mats Non-slip mats in a variety of shapes and sizes, also available on a reel for table tops etc. Buy a Dycem mat online from the HemiHelp shop >>

Dyna Fork Fork with an extra wide prong which is sharpened to enable it to be used for cutting - both left and right handed available. Buy the Dyna Fork online from the HemiHelp shop >>

Electrical Tin Opener Light & comfortable and mains operated opener Benefits Now

Free Hand tray This tray has a handle that allows you to carry it with one hand. Keep Able, Homecraft, Chester care & Help at Home

Grater & Peeler Boards Frame with detachable blade and optional spike to hold veg in place. Homecraft

J Nelson Knife This is a two-in-one knife & fork enabling you to eat with one hand. Keep Able or Remap

Mini jug kettle Ideal for boiling small quantities this kettle is light and easy to lift. Homecraft

One-Handed workstation Designed for one-handed use the base unit is held in place by non-slip pads and the grating unit is detachable. Keep Able

Plate surround Guard which snaps on the side of any plate between 23-28cm, to push the food against so that it falls back onto the spoon. Keep Able, Homecraft or Remap

Relef Knife range This range has a large contoured easy-grip handle designed to limit wrist movement. Homecraft

Safety cooking basket & strainer Mesh wire basket avoids the need to lift heavy saucepans Homecraft

Saw Handle Knife Can be easier to use a saw handle action to cut than a standard knife action Keep Able or Remap

Selectagrip Soft rubber handle to slip over an ordinary spoon or fork - many sizes and shapes. Nottingham Rehab and Homecraft

Snap-on Apron No fussy strings or ties this apron simply snaps on round the waist. Help at Home

Twist & Turn Jar Opener Fits to the underside of a kitchen wall cabinet, so you just need to grip the jar or bottle, not the opener. Lakeland and Homecraft

Aids to dressing

Tie adaptions Send your school tie away with a cheque to have it adapted to be a clip on. Filaspun or Fashion & Corporate Ties

Coiler shoelaces These are designed for easily taking off and putting on your shoes without the hassle of tying. Buy coiler shoelaces online from the HemiHelp shop >>

Grey school trousers Elasticated waist boys' school trousers up to men's sizes. Dressing made easy, Kevin's School Outfitters, Wearable Clothing Hook and Eye fitting John Lewis (Nationwide)

Orthoses High stability, low weight fun fabrics Otto Bock

Socks 'Smartknit' socks suitable for AFO and KAFO interfaces Gilbert and Mellish Ltd

Therapeutic Shoes Available in pairs or as individual shoes to match requirements. A constantly updated range. Otto Bock

Wheelchair Clothing Warm clothing and waterproofs for wheelchair users Able2Wear

Miscellaneous

Beds Cotswold Cots make beds to order

Card Curve Holds a "hand" of cards in a curved shape. Lakeland

Card Shuffler An electronic device that shuffles one or two packs at a time. Keep Able, Homecraft and Brookvine Home Shopping

Exercise ball Great for improving circulation and building strength in the hand. Keep able

Exercise putty For finger and hand exercise, easy to handle non oily putty Homecraft

Hot water bottle stand Holds the hot water bottle so it can be filled safely. Homecraft

Microwave Hot Water Bottle Cotton quilted cover with non toxic reusable gel pack heated in the microwave. Scotts of Stow, Homecraft and Brookvine Home Shopping

Needle threader All standard needles can be threaded on this simple plastic device. Homecraft

Twiddler hand exerciser Chromed metal spring for exercising fingers and hands by stretching and squashing. Homecraft

Useful addresses

Ace Centre Advisory Trust (Aiding Communication in Education) 92 Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DR Tel: 01865 759800 Email: info@ace-centre.org.uk Website; ace-centre.org.uk.  Or Broadbent, Watershedings, Oldham OL1 4HU Tel: 0161 627 1358 Assessment, advice and information for young people in education who have communication difficulties. Good Leaflets.

AWEAR Website: www.awear.org.uk Charity offering advice to disabled people regarding clothing as well as to retailers about how to make themselves more accessible

Anything Left Handed Ltd 18 Avenue Road, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey SM2 6JP Tel: 020 8770 3722 Fax: 020 8715 1220 Email: alhleft@aol.com Web Site: www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk Specialist mail order company which provides properly designed, fully left handed versions of everyday items such as scissors, pens and kitchen utensils which, in their original form, are far easier to use with the right hand. There is also a shop at: 57 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UL (tel: 020 7437 3910 call for opening hours).

Beesneez PO BOX 25, Ossett, WF5 0YW Fax: 01924 264558 Website: www.beesneez.co.uk Benefits Now Tel: 01983 539954 Website: www.benefitsnowshop.co.uk

BIME (Bath Institute of Medical Engineering) Wolfson Centre, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG Tel: 01225 824103 Fax: 01225 824111 Email: bime@bath.ac.uk Web Site: http://www.bath.ac.uk/bime/ Registered charity carrying out design and development in medical and rehabilitation engineering. Works with both users and medical professionals. Informative web site.

Brainstore Brainstore Ltd, PO Box 8908, Witham, Essex, CM8 1WY Tel/Fax: 01376 501000 Website: www.brainstore.co.uk Products aimed at ages 8-16 to improve learning performance

Brookvine Home Shopping Copsham House, 53 Broad Street, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 3EA Tel: 01494 773395 Mail order catalogue with a vast selection of household equipment

Children Today The Moorings, Rowton Bridge, Christleton , Chester, CH3 7AE Tel: 01244 335 622 Fax: 01244 335 473 Email; childtoday@aol.com The provision of equipment and aids for helping children and young people to overcome their difficulties.

Cotswold Cots Gravins, Rock Close, Casterton, Oxon, OX18 3BP Tel: 01993 842885 Website: www.cotswoldcots.co.uk

Disabled Living Foundation 380 Harrow Rd, London, W9 2HU Tel: Helpline: 0870 6039177 (10am-4pm). MiniCom:0870 6039176 Email: advice@dlf.org.uk and sales@dlf.org.uk Web Site:www.dlf.org.uk Huge amount of information about useful gadgets, plus an equipment centre

Dressing Made Easy The Maybird Suite, Maybird Centre, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 0AZ Tel: 01789 292078 Clothes designed with disability in mind, so for example the boys school trousers have elasticated waists and velcro flies, but look normal. Leg length made to order.

Filaspun 1 Parkwood Street, Keighley, W.Yorks, BD21 4QR Tel: 01535 210426 Fledglings 6 Southfield, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, CB10 1TE. Tel: 0845 458 1124 Fax: 0845 458 1125 Email: enquiries@fledglings.org.uk A search and supply service, particularly for unusual items designed for children with special needs.

Great Little Trading Company Pondwood Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6DF Tel: 0870 850 6000 Fax: 01604 640107 Ingenious household gadgets and clothing aids

Gilbert and Mellish Ltd 3 Lightning Way, West Heath, Birmingham, B31 3PH Tel: 0121 475 1101 Fax: 0121 478 0163 Website: www.gilbert-mellish.co.uk

Handi-care 1 Glenville Parade, Hucclecote, Gloucester, GL3 3ES Tel: 01452 610448 or 0800 243469 Mail order household equipment for disabled people. Also four stores, and a freephone helpline for advice.

Help at Home 08700 552222 Inexpensive range of household equipment. Phone for a catalogue Homecraft PO Box 5665, Kirby in Ashfield, Notts, NG17 7QX Tel; 01623 721000 Fax: 01623 755585 Website: www.homecraftabilityone.com

Hotter Comfort Shoes Liverpool Road, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 8AX Tel: 0800 083 3083 Web Site: www.hottershoes.com/HotterSite/pages/home/default.asp Velcroe boots and shoes approx £49

Keep Able Unit 38c, Telford Way Industrial Estate, Kettering, N16 8UN Tel: 01536 525 153 and 01384 484544 Fax:01536 515077 Web Site: www.keepable.co.uk Mail order household equipment for disabled people. Also nine stores, some with qualified therapists to give advice.

Kevin’s Outfitters 436 Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex Tel: 020 8578 1210 Suppliers of grey school trousers with elastic waistband

Keytools PO Box 700, Southampton, SO17 1LQ Tel: 023 8058 4314 Fax: 023 8055 6902 Website: www.keytools.co.uk/home.php Keytools supply a range of computer equipment for special needs

Lakeland Ltd. Tel 015394 88100 Web site: www.lakeland.co.uk

Lodgesons Units 9-12 Douglas Buildngs, Royal Stuart Lane, Cardiff, CF10 5EL. Tel: 029 2025 1331 Fax: 029 2025 1341 Email: sales@Lodgesons.co.uk Web Site: www.Lodgesons.co.uk Gadgets for the disabled driver, such as infra red controls, bleeper systems and steering balls.

MERU (Medical Engineering Resource Unit) 8 Damson Way, Orchard Hill, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 4NR Tel: 020 8770 8286 Fax: 020 8770 8398 Website: www.meru.org.uk MERU design and manufacture bespoke equipment and devices to meet the needs of disabled children where there is no commercially available alternative

NES Arnold Ltd Novara House, Excelsior Road, Ashby, Leicestershire, LE65 1NG Tel: 01530 418901 Web Site: www. nesarnold.co.uk Part of Nottingham Rehab Group, for schools and colleges.

Nottingham Rehab Supplies Ludlow Hill Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6HD Tel: 0115 945 2000 Web Site: www.novara.co.uk Enormous catalogue of products for the home, educational toys, hobbies and haberdashery.

Otto Bock 32 Parsonage Road, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0LD Tel; 01784 744900 Website : www.ottobock.co.uk Catalogue of mobility aids especially for children.

PCD Maltron Ltd 15 Orchard Lane, East Molsey, Surrey, KT8 0BN Tel/Fax: 020 8398 3265 Website: www.maltron.com The range of computer equipment includes one handed keyboards and the single finger keyboard

Peta UK Ltd Marks Hall, Marks Hall La, Margaret Rd, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1QT Tel/Fax:01245 231811 Email: peta@peta-uk.com Web Site:www.peta-uk.com Manufacture all kinds of scissors, including push down scissors and those for left handers. Manual available, 'Developing Scissors Skills', produced in conjunction with 'paed occupational therapists.

Philip & Tacey Ltd. POBox 468, North Way, Andover, Hants, SP10 5BA. Tel: 01264 332171 Fax: 01264 384808 Website: www.philipandtacey.co.uk

Posturite 10 Diplocks Way, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3JF Tel: 01323 847777 Web Site: www.posturite.co.uk/ Producers of sloping boards, with magnetic facility.

Promedics Ltd Moorgate Street, Blackburn, BB2 4PB Tel: 01254 619 000 Fax: 01254 619 001 Email: enquiries@promedics.co.uk Run Functional Solutions. Producers of orthopaedic and electromedical products.

Remap GB Hazeldene, Ightham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 9AD Tel: 01732 883818 Fax: 01732 886238 Email john.wright@remap.org.uk WebSite:www.remap.org.uk Teams of engineers who make up one off pieces of technical equipment or modify commercial equipment free of charge.

SEMERC – Granada Learning Granada Television, Quay Street, Manchester, M60 9EA Tel: 0161 827 2927 Fax: 0161 827 2966 Website: www.granada-learning.co.uk SEMERC sell the five fingered typist software for learning to type one handed

Scotts of Stow Order line 0990 449 111 Enquiry line 0990449 449

Schein Paediatric Footwear C/o Salts Healthcare, Lord Street, Birmingham, B7 4DS. Tel: 0121 333 2000 Shoes, sandals and bootees in various colours and patterns. Open to the toes and extra depth.

STEPS (Special Toys Educational Service) 7 Chatto Road, Torquay, Devon Tel: 01803 311322 Website: www.stepscharity.org Adapted toys which can be borrowed on long term loan

ThinkGeek, website: www.thinkgeek.com

VM Marketing St Peters Church, Ubbeston, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 0EX Tel: 01986 798120 Fax: 01986 798040 Website: www.vmmarketing.co.uk Suppliers of Limbo protectors to use over splints when bathing, washing and even swimming

Wearable Clothing Tel: 0141 775 3738 Website: www.able2wear.co.uk/ Mail Order Catalogue predominantly for wheelchair users but also stock elasticated waist school trousers up to adult size, and clip on ties

Welcome Mobility Website: www.welcomemobility.co.uk The Welcome Mobility website sells a range of mobility aids for the household, bathroom, kitchen, work and leisure. They have a Children's section.

Whizz-Kidz 1 Warwick Row, London, SW1 5ER Tel: 020 7233 6600 Website: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk Customised mobility equipment, training and advice