I can’t even move my hands. Can I still eat and wash myself?

Authors: Wang Ying, Yu Huihui, Li Mengdan; Chief Judge: Zhai Hua

Unit: Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)

This popular science work is one of the popular science materials in the series "Don't be afraid of spinal cord injuries, there are ways to prevent and rehabilitate them"

Activity steps:

Method ①Fill half of the cup with warm water, hold the cup to your mouth with your palms facing each other;

Method ②Fill half of the cup with warm water, hold the cup with one hand, and use the back of your wrist to lift the cup to your mouth.

Assistive device recommendations/environmental improvements:

Activity steps:

①Use your left hand to place the spoon handle between the index finger and middle finger of your right hand and hold the spoon;

②Put the bowl on the table, place your other hand on the table to support the bottom of the bowl, and use a spoon to scoop up the food and bring it to your mouth.

Assistive device recommendations/environmental improvements:

Activity steps:

①Put your palms together, bend your elbows, hold the toothpaste, and use your teeth to unscrew/pry open the toothpaste cap;

②Put the toothpaste on the table, hold the toothbrush with one hand, with the bristles facing upwards, and use the other hand to press the toothpaste to squeeze out the paste and put it on the toothbrush;

③Put your palms together, pick up the toothbrush, put it in your mouth, and move your upper limbs back and forth to clean;

④ Bend your elbow with one hand, turn on the faucet, hold the cup with both hands to fill it with water and rinse your mouth.

Assistive device recommendations/environmental improvements:

Activity steps:

① Use one hand to bend your elbow and turn on the faucet;

② Hold the towel with both hands and soak it in water or push the towel into the basin;

③Put your palms together and squeeze the towel dry;

④ Hold the towel with both hands and move your arms to clean your face; or place the towel on one arm, bend your arm to your face, and move it back and forth to wipe it.

Assistive device recommendations/environmental improvements:

Activity steps:

① Lift one wrist and grab the middle part of the comb, then use the other wrist to hold the end of the comb;

② Press down with both hands to finish combing your hair.

Assistive device recommendations/environmental improvements:

(Some pictures in this article are from the Internet)

References:

[1] Zhai Hua, Liu Jun. A Guide to Rebuilding the Capacity of People with Spinal Cord Injury[M]. Shanghai Science and Technology Press, August 2017.