I used to have an electric can opener, but it died. So I have been using a good manual one. But recently,, it truly has become an instrument of torture. I try and get hubby to do the deed but he is not always around and some cans will spill if I take them to him.

Too bad I didn't think of this before Mother's Day! It would have been a great gift for me. Yep, I am that desperate!

Juice jars go double - first you have to twist the lid, and then open the plastic lid underneath. Sometimes I can do neither. Again, then it is hubby's job - but woe betide if he is not around! I pray nothing happens to him before me! Fortunately, he has a pretty good track record for illnesses - except for Strep B and Staph B - he has no spleen, so no filter for those bugs, and he almost died on on occasion before they figured out what he needed.

No spleen, because of an accident. He is accident prone (or foolish) so that is a big worry, besides the fact that I do love him and want him to be safe.

One you missed is bathtubs without handles. I have a jetted tub here, and I have been in it twice in 16 months, because both times I hurt my knee trying to get out - with hubby's help of course! My last jetted tub had gripping handles on both sides and it was much easier to get in and out of.

I'm sure there are hundreds of other things which seem so easy to a normal person and are so daunting to us. Anyone else have some device or appliance or tool that is just so difficult to use?

I'm newly diagnosed so I haven't started a treatment plan yet so honestly pretty much anything is a torture device. lol Trying to squeeze bottles (shampoo, etc...) turning the steering wheel (my husband put a ball thing on it for me), pushing the accelerator or brakes, door knobs, my kids carseats (pushing buttons), pens/pencils. I agree with Marlene if my husband isn't around.....the other day my kids wanted some apple juice and I couldn't get the new bottle opened. Made me cry because I felt like a bad mom, I can't even get my kids juice.....but hey we do our best right :)

Child-proof caps.

Bags of cereal, lettuce, raisins, what have you.

Lids on glass jars.

The unbreakable adhesive strips holding scallions or leeks together.

Having raised three kids, there must be 40 little pairs of school scissors around the house---never could find any at the start of a school year. Anyway, a couple of pairs now live on the shelf above the sink, and I use them to open packaging, chop fresh herbs, all those little tasks I used to be able to do with my hands.

Can openers and opening jars are the worst for me, I have yet to invest in an electric can opener but have been thinking of doing so, I would like to find one that I like and will last for many years. Driving during a flare can be tricky. My flare ups are not symmetrical, so I have to one hand for everything. It is not enough to focus on the road, but now you I have to think about how I may have to do things like shut the door or turn on my signals if it is my left hand and shifting if it is my right (thank god I drive automatic) I could not imagine driving stick with a flare.

Ginny

Ginny

Unlatching your seatbelt, I keep a wooden spoon in the car for many purposes, but it is best for this. Just use the handle to push the release.

bottles of water are the worst because they are so small...I have a jar opener from Pamper chef that I use all the time and its a real life safer. it can open anything from a water bottle lid to a jar of pickles. it has a wide handle or it can be mounted underneath your cabinet. A lot of times my husband will do this stuff for me, but when he's not around I need to find my own way :)

And forget about getting in and out of the tub...lmao that has to be the worst thing ever for me...did it once in the past 10 years and just about blew out all the candles when the water splashed over the sides because I had to just drop myself in!

The cans that have the little ring top you have to pull up and then pull the entire top of the can off. I hate those! I love my battery powered can opener! Child proof tops are bad too. I do use scissors a lot but never thought of the child ones that Alto mentioned. Good idea! I also use my husband as a jar opener. Gentle hugs to all.

I have a pliers in my kitchen - it is easier to get smaller caps off with that. You know those plastic containers for coffee? Folgers, Maxwell House? And they have the indents to make it easier for arthritic hands to hold it? That 'tab' to pull back the covering is awful. I use a knife and hammer to break that seal. (my husband is concerned a trip to the emergency room may be coming up when I do that) Cheaper memory foam area rug is in front of my sink, and the stove, more comfortable to stand on than a hard floor.

Tying shoelaces. I swear, I will find sneakers that slip on and still give great arch support. I will, I will!