I just recently got a roolator, but can't use it. it wears my arms out holding onto the handle bars. I really like it, but it wears me out. My bf did arrange things in my home last year to make life easier on me, such as grab bars in the tub and shower. I think this weekend we are going to try and cut a square in one of the closets so I don't have to lug laundry up and down 11 steps. I will still have to bring them up the steps, but I will have to learn small loads at a time. The laundry detergents are in such large bottles it is hard for me to lift, so he transfers them into small ones I can lift. he put double screws into the hand rails on the steps, I have ripped them out of the wall do to grasping onto when I was falling. He loosens up my o2 tanks when delivered because I don't have the strength to do it.he tries very hard to organize things to make the simple everyday things so much easier for me. he says he knows what I go through, but yet again he made a cmment awhile back, that it seemed like every time he came to visit I was having a bad day, then a few days later he would call ask how I was feeling, I was having a good day and told him so. He is coming Saturday, so I don't care what I have to do to make sure I am on top of everything and pray to God it is a good day. There are so many journals by my DS friends that I would like fo him to read, and try to get the real picture that we all go through pretty much the same thing. Hopefully he will better understand.

My smart phone. This has been a huge asset to me in managing my needs. Here are some ways it has helped:

- Combines phone, calculator, calendar, sticky notes, "help needed" device, pop up reminders, alarm clock, med reminder and listings, doctor information, etc all into one lightweight device.

- I can set reminders so if I need to remember something at a certain time, my phone starts making a racket to remind me.

- I have a ton of useful apps on there to track things like my med list, my doc app list, my symptom list, you name it.

- I can quickly check how "diet friendly" food is on the go.

I got the "Windows Phone" because all the buttons are big and easy to read.

ShellyTab-

Yes many of these things I use our cell phones for too. However you mentioned "ton of useful apps on there to track things like my med list, my doc app list, my symptom list, you name it"

Could you name the applications you mentioned and where you got them from?

Thanks,
EP

Sure. Doing a quick scroll through my phone, here are some of the apps I find really useful. All of them are free. If anyone else knows of any good ones let me know.

"ICE Alert" - is an app that offers a big red button on my main screen that will immediately transmit my location and a help signal to my emergency contacts

"Nutrition Finder" - is an app that I use to get quick nutritional information on the go.

"Post Note" - an app that is like a sticky note board for all my misc notes

"ToDue List" - keeps track of my to do list

"Voice to Text" makes it so I don't have to type text messages, it does it for me.

"Yoga-pedia" gives me daily yoga stretches to try

"Health-Vault" - Quick reference guide for medications

"Pill Reminder" and "Meds Tracker Free" - Tracks my meds

"Lists and Things Free" - keep lists of symptoms, appointments, etc

Also, I have my calendar setup to my google account, so my doc appoints and stuff are automatically kept in sync. I make an appt at the doctor, put it in my phone, it goes to my calendar on my phone and my computer.

Hi
HTC EVO,,my life besides all the above, this is how I access the net.

A hip pouch or apron with pockets, that way everything I'm doing goes in there, since cane takes one hand. I have an outdoor apron and an indoor one. I make them myself :)

Wide bottom everything to avoid tipping things over.

When wearing the cooling vest I keep top pockets free for cigs, phone, etc,,,of course besides my bra!!! LOL

Scooters available everywhere I go, Walmart, supermarket,etc, save spoons for later.

I've adjusted everything in my house to make my life possible.

Alma

Great topic, Lynne!

Since I'm in the process of buying a new home my 'probable' diagnosis has held a lot of weight in my decisions.

First with the location. I originally wanted to move back to central Arkansas where I lived for 15 years and doctors are closer. With a lot of thought and consideration I decided to stay in my rural area where I have the most support from family and friends.

Second was with the house I chose. I was drooling over a nice house on our local lake. It was stunning!! But it wasnt practical for someone with MS. Not an open floor plan had a real choppy layout all in all. Too many stairs, narrow doorways, tiny bathrooms etc.

The house I decided to go with is in a quiet subdivision with a small, easy to care for, lot (Ive lived in the country with 8 acres for the past 5 years and love not having neighbors). It is one level and has an open floor plan with wide doorways that will make getting around much easier if I ever need a wheelchair. And the bonus is that it has a nice in-ground pool that I hope will provide me with an easier way to stretch and exercise these ever shrinking (feels that way) muscles of mine.

I guess what I am saying is that the first thing in my tool chest is just being a better planner. I am planning for the future and any possibilities it may hold.

good ideas, I hace put some other notes on it as can't find same names. Have an iphone so if anyone has one in aus & uses notes would appreciate any names of free apps.

Would love others to keep adding to it too.