Abilitease

Abilitease Abilitease explores independence solutions through product innovation, product awareness and education & motivation from personal experience.

Exploring independence solutions for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

10/08/2026

For the past 10 years I have been using the Hollister VaPro Plus Pocket catheter to empty my bladder.

Aside from it being compact and easy to insert, the catheter itself has an introducer tip and is fully enclosed in plastic. This means my risk of infection is minimized which is great because I have limited hand function.

At the top of the bag where is a small tear line. I typically secure my teeth on one side of the tear line and pull the opposite way with both hands to open the bag for emptying.

I had mentioned to the R&D team at Hollister that it would be nice if there were some holes near the tear line so that I could hook a finger and pull instead of primarily using my teeth to tear the bag open. With this month’s supply I notice the bags had a hole on either side of the tear line and this made it a lot easier for me to rip the bag open to empty it.

This may not seem like much, but those little changes may mean the difference between someone being able to catheterize independently or not. Thank you Hollister Incorporated for listening and implementing the change in a timely manner!

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 the VaPro Plus Pocket Catheters he received this month have some product enhancements that were based on end user feedback.]


09/19/2026

Yay!

09/19/2026

As an individual with a spinal cord injury, I rely on mobility equipment to live a full and independent lifestyle. My mobility equipment is an extension of me. There are particular things that able bodied people do with my wheelchair that drives me nuts.

1. Don’t use someone’s wheelchair as a footrest. It almost feels like someone is putting their feet on your lap.
2. Don’t use someone’s wheelchair wheel as a convenient place to tie your shoe. I don’t want your dirty shoe on my wheel/pushrim when I use my hands to push those wheels.
3. Don’t push someone’s wheelchair without asking first. I have no balance so a sudden jerking motion could trigger a spasm or send me falling forward.
4. Please don’t use the push handles to lean on or support your weight. This can make it uncomfortable to the individual in the wheelchair.

A lot of these uncomfortable situations can be avoided with good communication. If you aren’t sure just ask the individual in the wheelchair.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows four different things that a person should avoid doing when interacting with a disabled individual’s wheelchair.]

quadriplegic

09/12/2026

Introducing our newly redesigned 3D-printed sport toddler mobility trainer. This was created to help young kids experience movement, play, and the excitement of sports.

Because access to the game means more than watching from the sidelines. It means getting out there, exploring, participating, and having fun.

[Video Description: In this video Andrew tests out the new Sport TMT on the basketball court.]

08/23/2026

Yesterday my son Brandon and I got to deliver a toddler mobility trainer (TMT) to a wonderful young family. The little boy was so patient and once he sat in his new wheelchair he started to get curious and comfortable.

This TMT is a fun colorful functional wheelchair that is not threatening and encourages interaction. This is how impactful open source 3D printed assistive technology can be.

I love being able to build these wheelchairs with my boys so they realize how much their work contributes to improving the life of a family with a child that has mobility needs.

[Video Description: In this video Mark and his son Brandon are delivering a toddler mobility trainer to a family.]

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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08/21/2026

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.]

assistivetechnology adaptiveequipment adaptivetools wristextension tenodesis wristflexion spinalcordinjury spinalcordinjurysurvivor paralysis paralyzed quadriplegic tetraplegic wheelchair wheelchairuser independence inclusion

08/20/2026

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.]

assistivetechnology adaptiveequipment adaptivetools wristextension tenodesis wristflexion spinalcordinjury spinalcordinjurysurvivor paralysis paralyzed quadriplegic tetraplegic wheelchair wheelchairuser independence inclusion

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