The Multiple Sclerosis Equipment Room

If you, like me, were ever involved in organized sports teams, competitive marching bands, or even some types of office work, you’ll understand the concept of an “equipment room.”

Such rooms may be no more than a cupboard or closet, or they may be actual rooms, often tucked into the far corner of the building and sometimes converted from their original purpose.

I think I even remember old locker rooms transformed into storage units where half-inflated balls, assortments of old padding, dusty drumheads, parted-out tubas, and boxes of new kit awaited use when called upon.

Time to Take Stock of My Collection

A recent hip revision surgery (with complications, just for the fun of it) has brought a different kind of equipment room to my mind: the multiple sclerosis (MS) equipment room.

Mine isn’t a full room, or even the better part of a closet, but it’s all in one place (when not in use), up in my study and, yes, it’s in about the furthest corner of the house — up, over, and back.

My storage space holds a combination of new, newer, and very old devices that have gotten me through MS difficulties through the years. But, as an old friend says, “three moves is as good as a housefire” when it comes to personal effects that don’t make it from one domicile to the next.

My post-op rehab found me having to replace some of the less-expensive items I’d donated or repurposed or that simply hadn’t lasted much past a spate of use. Many times, I simply delude myself that “I’ll never need that again,” only to find myself wishing I had it to hand.

Upon discharge from hospital, I was given the opportunity to purchase things the physios and occupational therapists thought might be useful for someone rehabilitating from a surgery such as mine. They were a bit surprised — until I told them about my MS — that I didn’t need a fair good few of them because of my equipment room back home.

What’s in My MS Equipment Room?

I did, however, need a few bits and, as I’ve been needing them, using them, and wishing I had better versions of some of them, I thought I’d do a quick inventory of my MS disability equipment so that you might consider stocking up on (or replacing worn) items that you may suddenly need when MS comes calling.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of every assistive device you might need, but it reflects the ones I use regularly or have used in the past.

Sticks and Canes I have a collection of walking sticks stored in a large umbrella stand near the front door (not in my equipment room, as they are a daily need for me). I also have one near the back door, one in the shed, one at the top of the stairs … you get the picture. If it’s something you need regularly, you’ll have a few of them at least.

Crutches We use forearm crutches here more than the underarm version I grew up using (I sprained a good few things in my sporting and band days). I have two pairs of these — one older, one newer — but both are in pretty good nick. I keep one pair with the walking sticks and the other up in the equipment room. It’s not uncommon for one (or both) to be brought into the bedroom at night when I’m having “one of those” days and wish to prepare for what might come while I sleep.

Walking Frames First, the difference between a walking frame and a walker: Frames have four feet, while a walker has two feet and two wheels. I only have the frame versions at present. I’ve had walkers in the past but, well, see the “three moves” note above.

Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) These, and other aids I use for drop foot, come in many forms. I don’t wear them every day, but I have been advised I might consider using some of the less-obtrusive versions more often. Mine include a custom-made job that wraps around my calf, a ridged leg brace–looking one, and a couple of different “boots” for when things get particularly difficult.

Shoes and Socks I’ve taken to wearing lace-up boots most of the time now, as the added support helps with my drop foot. That means I’ve got a few versions of long shoehorns to help me get those on without breaking the back of the shoe. The shoehorns have particularly come in handy post-op, since I’ve been unable to bend down to get even slippers on. I also had to replace my sock-puller-onner for the same reason — and because it’s another item that didn’t make one move or another.

A note about shoes: I’m just back from buying a pair of slip-on, no-tie footwear that will be handy to have for “those” MS days as well.

Grabbers You may feel a bit ready to join a litter crew for roadside cleaning with a grabber, but you’ll be surprised how often these little guys come in handy. I’m also surprised at how much better my grabber’s fine motor skills are than my own. Even if I could get down to pick some things up, my fingers would never grasp them as well as my new best friend.

And There’s More!

There’s so much more, from refreezable ice packs and thick pads to make getting up from chairs easier to raised toilet seats and spare wheelchair batteries. It won’t be long before my MS equipment room will need to move from a part of a closet to a dedicated closet of its very own.

I’ll not be happy about that day, but when I need something from the “ability storage” (as I’m beginning to think of it), I’ll be happy those items are there.

Wishing you and your family the best of health.

Cheers,

Trevis