The Orthostatic Tremor Forum (archive)

Sad to read in the posts that some folks avoid going out, shopping, lines, etc. Experienced OT-ers may find this to be overly basic, but maybe it'll be helpful to newly-diagnosed folks. These products have been mentioned elsewhere on the website but they deserve their own 'topic'. Here's the link with a picture of my favorite: http://www.activeforever.com/p-1218-dri ... -cane.aspx.

The sling seat has four legs which makes it much more stable than the tripod versions. And the wider fabric sling seat is much more comfortable than a small flat piece of plastic on the tripod versions. Here are some tripod versions: http://www.activeforever.com/p-1218-dri ... -cane.aspx

Modification #1 for portable stools: I swap out the plastic foot tips and use rubber foot tips instead (common in hardware stores or wherever they sell canes). The rubber feet 'grip' better on slick floors and make me feel more secure. But buy extra rubber foot tips because you'll wear through them. Try putting an american penny or a washer (hardware store) inside the rubber foot to prolong the life of the rubber foot.

Modification #2 for portable stools: Create a carrying strap so your stool can go over your shoulder and leave your hands free. Get round metal key rings (any hardware store) known as split rings. Dissasemble your stool as necessary to slide the ring around the stool's legs &/or cross-brace tubes. Experiment with placement of the rings so the stool will hang comfortably and vertically when you pick up the carrying strap. Get a shoulder strap with swivel snap hooks at each end. (Here's a link to a picture of the snap hooks - http://haohann.manufacturer.globalsourc ... c-Hook.htm.) Either use a big split ring to accommodate the snap hook, or add a second smaller split metal ring to act as a chain link between the snap hook and the split ring that's around the stool's leg.

Best to all,
Jennifer in Portland Oregon

I forgot to add where to shop for portable stools:
- Anywhere they sell canes and walkers: i.e. pharmacies and medical supply stores.
- Golf shops sometimes sell the tripod stools.

I use a cane with the seat that was gotten from a golf tournament.

It is indispensable while shopping at Costco or anywhere where one has to stand in line to pay.

So often people stop and ask where I got it - that they need one for their: grandmother, aunt, mother, sister, etc.!! Last week in Costco a young man even asked if he could take a picture of it to show his grandfather!! Naturally I said yes and commended him for being a loving grandson.

I suggest purchasing more than one - I have one in my car and also one in my husband's car so I don't have to remember to switch it.

Best wishes

Bobbitt

Bobbitt, nice to see you posting on this great site. I am curious about the cane with a seat you recommended. I have one too but it is not stable enough being a tripod. It also is too lightweight and flimsy. Perhaps those you have are sturdier and easier to set up while we stand and shake! Did you buy yours at one of the local golf courses or stores? I am still using the 4 legged cane seat. So after this busy summer let's get together again for lunch and share stories, so nice to be with someone who understands our problems. My condition is slightly progressing and I still am the only patient at UCLA with OT. I had dinner with John, his mother and Renate a couple of weeks ago and found out they changed locations of the office. Hope all is well with you and you are still traveling! For all of you on this board, Bobbitt and I have known each other for years and through a mutual friend found out we both have the same disease and we only live a half hour away from each other on the Southern California coast. Best wishes, Jo

Hi Bobbitt
I would be interested in seeing a photo (or web site ) of your seat, it appears to be far sturdier than any I have come across over the years
happy sitting
Maureen.