Abilitease

Today is my 31st injury anniversary and I wanted to share some things I learned over the past year.

1. I don’t feel disabled. People in this world with their words and actions make me feel disabled.

2. I’m a professional sitter and I’m damn good at it!

3. Assistive technology is my passion.

4. Getting a colostomy was one of the best decisions I made for quality of life.

5. The disability community is filled with incredible people.

6. The journey is better when you take time to enjoy it and live in the moment.

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button. Or you can visit the store directly at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows some clips from the past year and shares things he’s learned along the way.]

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Back in 2022 the Wellerman Sea Shanty song was popular on social media. I decided to make my own version of the song and create a reel singing and dancing. I went way outside my comfort zone for this post, but looking back it’s awesome to see how far we’ve come.

I remember putting my phone on the nightstand, leaning over in my wheelchair to sing into the phone as I was hitting my fist repeatedly on the table to make the beat. It was rough, but I had fun writing the lyrics and singing it.

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button. Or you can visit the store directly at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows a reel from 2022 where he sang his own version of the Wellerman Sea Shanty song talking about his company Abilitease and the assistive devices they make.]

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Imagine going to the movies with your family and you find the ONLY available ADA spot with a motorcycle stored in the access aisle. I didn’t want to miss my movie trying to find another spot so I parked there knowing that it may not work.

I hate posting these types of videos, but this happens daily and I believe sharing this information repeatedly will educate others.

The access aisle is there to provide access for someone with a mobility device to enter/exit their vehicle. Just because the Van accessible access aisle is larger doesn’t mean you can park or store motorcycles off to the side. An individual who uses a mobility vehicle with a side ramp needs a larger space in the access aisle to get in/out of their vehicle.

I was lucky to get out because my manual wheelchair has a compact footprint, but not everyone has a small mobility device.

Please don’t park in the access aisle! Your choices can negatively affect the lives of others.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how someone parked/stored a motorcycle in the adjoining access aisle of an ADA parking spot with limited space to deploy the ramp of his minivan to exit the vehicle independently. Fortunately there was enough room to maneuver his wheelchair, but someone in a power chair wouldn’t be so lucky.]

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As a quadriplegic I have struggled getting comfortable using the SmartDrive as a power assist option. The recent Buddy button controller has been anything but my Buddy. I’ve had too many dangerous close calls and I will probably need to start looking for a different power assist option.

Since insurance only covers certain power assist options every 5 years, I’m kind of stuck with my current setup unless I want to spend thousands of dollars out of pocket.

I will say the SmartDrive works like a champ going up steep flat surfaces. I recently had to go up a long twisting steep ramp at the beach in Oceanside and it handled the incline no problem. So I’m grateful for the times when I don’t have to ask for help and I can feel safe navigating different obstacles like steep ramps.

[Video Description: In this video Mark is demonstrating how he uses the SmartDrive to go up a long twisting ramp at the beach in Oceanside to get back to his hotel room.]

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We recently redesigned an adaptive tool that helps break the seal on the Coloplast SpeediCath Compact Set intermittent catheter. It is now available in our online store!

I personally don’t use Coloplast catheters so I ordered samples of the SpeediCath Compact Set to test trying to open the packaging with my limited hand function. I discovered that it was extremely difficult to break the seal on the packaging even using my teeth.

We developed a clamp where the SpeediCath sits flat on a base and handles with loops fold over in opposite directions. There are two pieces to the clamp that slide into each other, allowing it to rotate. We added neoprene so that when the clamp handles are engaged it holds the SpeediCath snug in place. With my thumbs in the loops, by applying pressure in opposite directions the SpeediCath will rotate with the clamp and break the seal.

You can also use one side of the clamp to secure the SpeediCath while attempting to remove the other side of the packaging.

How do you currently open your SpeediCath Compact Set? Do you get help or do you have another method? Please let us know in the comments.

You can purchase the SpeediCath opener in our online store. Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button. Or you can visit the store directly at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he uses an adaptive clamp to break the seal on a Coloplast SpeediCath Compact set catheter with limited hand function.]

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Exposure shapes understanding. When children grow up seeing mobility devices as normal, they grow into adults who lead with empathy instead of assumptions. Representation today builds accessibility for tomorrow.

[Video Description: In this video Rylie is pushing around a MakeGood Active toddler mobility trainer.]

Please check out our adaptive product line at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the store link above in our bio.

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