Category Archives: Comfort and Care

10 Christmas List Ideas When the Holiday Includes Crutches

Christmas might be a little more complicated this year. And not just because you have to travel, buy gifts, decorate, and do everything you normally do. This year, you’re on crutches, so everything takes longer and will be harder. When it comes to surviving the holidays on one foot, there are ten things you are going to want to add to your own Christmas gift list!

1) Shower Bench: You may have to give up a lot of things because of your crutches, but showering is not one of them! The Shower Bench will help you shower safely and enjoy the warm stream of water instead of having to hurry while balancing on one foot.

2) Comfy Cozy Cast Toe Warmer: Nobody likes cold toes. The Cozy Toe Warmer fits over your foot like a slipper and wraps around the back of your boot or cast with an easily adjustable Velcro. It will keep your toes warm, even outside in the snow, and will even keep them dry!

3) CastCoverz!: Just because you have a cast on your foot doesn’t mean you can’t look good while keeping your cast clean and snag-free. Look through the 18-branded CastCoverz! orthopedic accessories and pick out a few special ones you can enjoy during your recovery.

4) Ice Packs: Drippy Ziploc bags full of ice just won’t cut it. Ask for a few reusable ice packs you can use, and reuse, to keep the swelling down on your injured area.

5) Pillows: Certain pillows work better for elevating your foot. Ask for a small pillow that is more on the firm side and you will find yourself wanting to take it with you everywhere!

6) Rest: This might not be something to put on a gift list, but you do need to put it on your to-do list. No matter how much you need to get done or how much fun you are having at family gatherings and holiday parties, you have to force yourself to get the rest your body needs in order to heal quickly and efficiently.

7) Help: You might want to tell some friends and family members to forego gifts for you this year and offer their help instead. If you need help with errands, ask one of them to do some for you. If you need a ride, someone else can handle that. You might even ask for help preparing holiday meals or even everyday family meals. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You may even get more than you need!

8) Family: Another thing you can never replace is the family members around you. You can get through any hardship with them by your side. Ask for extra family time and be sure to express your thanks.

9) Alternative to Crutches: If your crutches are really bothering you, you should look into alternative mobility devices and put one at the top of your list. KneeRover® has great options to examine. The Seated Scooter is a wonderful device that allows you to sit and scoot yourself from place to place. It is a great way to tack on a little extra rest, no matter where you go. The Knee Scooter can help you move fast and get through your errands and tasks. As long as you can kneel comfortably, this is a great option for you. Also, the iWALK3.0 Hands Free Crutch gives you the use of your hands, once again. You can strap this device on and walk much as you did before your injury. Choose the option that will suit your lifestyle best and highlight that choice at the very top of your wish list.

10) Waterproof Cast Protector: Ask for DryPro! The DryPro™ Cast Protector is completely watertight, keeping your casts and bandages dry. DryPro offers the only cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep you dry. Whether you’re swimming or bathing, DryPro has got you covered!

Don’t forget to have fun with the season, despite your injury. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the holidays and those around you. They might even make your injury fade into the background. Merry Christmas!

Ways to Help a Mom on Crutches Create Thanksgiving Dinner

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Guest Post by Goodbye Crutches

It’s that time of year! Time to get the turkey out, thaw it, stuff it, and put it in the
oven. If you already smell the pies baking in the air, you know it’s almost time for the
big meal. But wait…mom is on crutches! Who’s going to do all of the work? Not her…At least not in the same way as every other year! Here are a few ways you can help
mom get Thanksgiving meal on the table this year.

1. Get Instructions
If mom is used to doing it all, she’s still going to want to be in the kitchen. Find
her a comfy chair and prop her leg up. Then, let her tell you what you need
to do in order to get the meal ready for everyone. You might learn a few
things and spending time together will be fun as well.

2. Do it Alone
If you know your way around the kitchen, offer to take over and make the meal
yourself. You might have to order a few pies from the store or adjust in other
ways, but as long as mom’s recovery stays on track, the rest doesn’t matter.

3. Ask For Help
Everyone comes to your house for Thanksgiving and they always offer to
bring things. This year, let them! You might get just about everything covered,
without having to do anything at all. Who knows, mom might even enjoy the
change and make it a tradition!

4. Make Changes
Everyone has an idea in mind when it comes to a meal this big, but that
doesn’t mean it always has to be the same. If you don’t feel comfortable
making a turkey, grill some chickens. It might be different, but as long as your
family is together, it’s still Thanksgiving.

5. Go to a Restaurant
There are plenty of restaurants that offer Thanksgiving meals. There’s
nothing wrong with going out this year. You can get a full meal at a decent
price, and the best part is, once you get home, you have nothing to clean up!

6. Get Mobility Options
Sit mom down in front of the computer and bring up Goodbye Crutches. Have
her look at the iWALKFree Hands Free Crutches, the Seated Scooter, and the
Knee Scooter, and see which she thinks will fit her lifestyle and needs best.
She will find that not only can she do more for the Thanksgiving meal, but
she can get around better during everyday life, as well!

7. Give Thanks
The best way you can help your non-weight bearing mom any day of the
week is to give her your thanks. Tell her how grateful you are for everything she has done for you over the years. With that sentiment, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish, together, during her recovery.

Halloween Tips for the Injured

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Guest post by Goodbye Crutches

Halloween is such a fun time of the year. You get to dress up in costume…go house to house and gather candy…and just have an all around good time with friends. When you injure yourself, you may think the fun has come to an abrupt halt. But, that doesn’t have to be the case. There are still things you can do to enjoy Halloween despite, or perhaps even because, of your injury. Here are a few tips to help the holiday remain enjoyable.

Tip#1: Find the Perfect Costume
Creating a costume for yourself on crutches is a new challenge, but there are plenty of ideas out there. You could be an injured soldier; for example, or perhaps a sports person who got injured during play. You could include your crutches by transforming them into wings and going as a bird or you could even do the old-fashioned mummy costume and use the crutches to support the theme. There are plenty of ways to dress around your crutches and even ways to include them.

Tip#2: Stay Safe
You will want to make sure that safety is your highest goal on Halloween. When you are injured, safety is more important than ever. You will want to choose a costume that allows you to move unhindered and one that will not trip you up. You will also want to make sure your flashlight has fresh batteries so you can see your path at all times.

Tip#3: Grab a Different Mobility Device
If you really want to enjoy the day, consider getting a mobility device other than crutches.
Goodbye Crutches has plenty to offer and each device has its advantages on Halloween and beyond. The Hands Free Crutch, for example, is easy to walk in and allows you the use of both of your hands at all times. It also makes a great peg leg on a pirate costume! The Knee Scooter allows you to zoom around the neighborhood quickly, and with ease, and the Seated Scooter gives you a place to sit and rest throughout the evening. Any of the devices can be a lot easier on your recovery process on Halloween or any other day.

Tip#4: Consider Fashion
If you’ve found the perfect costume, the last thing you want is for your cast to stick out and not blend in. Check out CastCoverz! for covers for all orthopedic devices, such as a cast, brace, walking boot, or crutches, and see if you can find something that will fit the costume perfectly. There are enough fabric choices and options that you should be able to find the perfect cover and fit, and then think about getting a few other options for the rest of the season!

Tip#5: Have Fun
It might take a little more planning this year, but you can still enjoy Halloween and have fun, even in a non-weight bearing status. Plan ahead, and make some adjustments, so you can get the rest you need and enjoy the day!

5 Tips for Going Back to School on Crutches

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Guest Post by Goodbye Crutches

Going back to school can be exciting and challenging all at the same time. When your child is on crutches, it’s a whole new ball game with plenty of new rules thrown into the mix. Here are five tips to help you prepare your child for going back to school on crutches and helping the experience go as smoothly as possible.

Tip#1: Talk to the School

You will want to let the school know about your child’s condition. He might need to take medications or have a few extra minutes between classes to get around. He might also need to be excused from gym class or have extra help at lunch. Arrange as much as you can in advance with the school, so there are no surprises for him or the school on the first day.

Tip#2: Arrange Help with Friends

Find out which of your child’s friends are in his classes and talk to them before school starts. Ask if they wouldn’t mind helping carry his books, lunch tray, and anything else he might need help with. Most friends will be more than willing to help, but you could offer a special ice cream treat or a movie adventure at the end of the recovery period as a thank you.

Tip#3: Look into Alternatives to Crutches

If your child struggles on crutches at home, surely he will have even more trouble at school. One of the best things you can do for him is to look into another mobility device that will help him get around easier. Goodbye Crutches has three options including the Knee Scooter, Seated Scooter and Hands Free Crutch. Look at the details on each and see which would fit your child’s activity level and lifestyle the best. Goodbye Crutches has a number of other products that can help your child with his recovery, as well, both at school and at home.

Tip#4: Think about Style

If your child would like to add some personality to his cast or would prefer concealing it, CastCoverz! cast covers slip on easily over the cast and come in a wide variety of colors and stylish fabrics. Not only do cast covers help your child stand out or blend in, depending on his personality, they keep the cast clean and snag-free! Who wants to look at an ugly, dirty cast or have his favorite clothing and furniture snagged from the rough casting material? CastCoverz! provides many other fun and functional products that comfort orthopedic patients; such as, designer color crutches, CastCooler for relief from itchy, stinky casts, the CastShield waterproof cast protector for bathing, and DryPro waterproof cover for swimming and going to the beach. Style and comfort help orthopedic patients feel better, so they heal better.

Tip#5: Pamper Him at Home

Once your child gets home from school, he will be extremely tired from the long day of getting around on crutches. Pamper him as much as possible by bringing his snack to him on the couch and letting him lounge around more than usual, so he can store up as much energy as possible for the next day.

Going back to school always has its challenges. But, when you’re on crutches, it can be even more challenging. We hope these 5 tips will help you prepare in advance and help your child get through his orthopedic recovery experience while going to school.