Canes

Canes come in many different varieties - one War Amps member even has a cane with a retractable spike to aid him in the winter.

Custom-Made Crutches

Gary Kingsley, a former CHAMP, has designed a heavy-duty set of crutches which can be customized for individual activity levels, weight and height. The crutches, that Gary designed and has used for the last three years, have very successfully met his needs for durability, stability and ease of use. The crutches are made from titanium, a strong and lightweight material, and are equipped with double tips to provide a safer "footprint" and maximum stability - one tip is always firmly on the ground to minimize slipping or sinking into soft surfaces. To order a pair of crutches or obtain further information, call (506) 636-9086.

Folding Crutches and Canes

If you travel, folding crutches and folding or telescoping canes may be useful. The Dimalo folding crutches (contact Award Prosthetics: 604-298-0236, www.awardprosthetics.com) adjust from about 21.5 inches, so they can fit into a suitcase, to between 40 to 48 inches to suit your height and needs.

Hands-Free Crutches

The iWALKFree (contact CanadaLeg Inc.: 1-877-268-1466, www.iwalk-free.com) is a hands-free alternative to standard crutches. The crutch, which straps directly onto the leg with padded thigh straps, consists of a vertical beam with tread and a supportive tray for the knee.

Adapted Walker for Arm Amputees

A member of CHAMP, an arm amputee, broke her hip and had to use a walker and crutches during her rehabilitation. Her physiotherapist made a custom attachment to fit her walker and crutches that allowed her to continue to be mobile using her myoelectric arm.

Walker with Brakes

For added security and safety, you might consider a walker with easily accessible brakes, adjustable handles and shock absorbent tires for indoor and outdoor use. As with canes, there are many types available. Some walkers have a padded seat, which flips down when you need to rest and folds away when not in use, and another even comes equipped with a curb-climbing mechanism for added mobility!

The Dolomite Walker (contact your local home health care company) has a "slow down" option - by adjusting the tension on one or both back wheels, the amputee can slow down the speed of the walker. This can be very useful in certain situations such as going downhill and during gait training for leg amputees.

Motorized Folding Scooter

The EasyTravel scooter (contact ActiveLite: 1-866-404-2080, activelite.com) is a motorized folding scooter that is compact and lightweight. It can be folded or disassembled and loaded into the trunk of a car. This feature makes it a good mobility option when travelling.

Scooter and Wheelchair Totes

There are numerous options to consider to transport a scooter or wheelchair with your vehicle. Specially designed vans are an option, but there are also options for cars. A scooter can be lifted and hooked to the back of a vehicle for transportation. To eliminate the difficulties involved in manually folding and placing a wheelchair in the trunk of a car and then removing it again, a car can be equipped with a wheelchair lift.

Wheelchair Ramps

Permanent ramps may be installed at home to allow for easy wheelchair access or simply if steps are too difficult to manage when walking. There are also telescopic, non-slip wheelchair ramps available which can be adjusted for length and locked into place for safety.

Wheelchair Accessories

For wheelchair users, there are many accessories and aids. Some examples are: an umbrella with a holder, which might come in handy to protect you from getting wet or getting too much sun (the height and angle of the umbrella are adjustable); a mesh canopy to also protect from UV rays, sun or rain; an attachable lap tray; a compact mirror, that can be clipped onto wheelchairs, bed rails or tables; and a cup holder with a snap-on lid and an opening for drinking.

Wheelchair Cushions

Wheelchair cushions can help prevent skin problems caused from the residual limb rubbing against the wheelchair. They are available in different materials like gel, foam and air. ROHO cushions, for example, are air cushions that offer pressure relief - useful for those who spend long hours in a wheelchair. The Advantage by Otto Bock is a FLOAM^TM cushion made up of honeycomb cells which contour to your individual shape.

Amputee Cushion

This padded cushion fits on top of most wheelchair seats and has an extended section on which your stump(s) can rest. It comes in three versions: left leg amputee, right leg amputee, and bilateral leg amputee.

Wheelchair Seat Support for Amputees

Below-knee amputees (right, left or bilateral) who use a wheelchair might be interested in the Uplift StumpRest (contact Uplift Technologies: 1-800-387-0896). It is placed underneath the wheelchair seat cushion and has slide-out supports on which to rest your stump. The slide-out stump supports help prevent contractures, reduce stump-swelling, and protect the residual limb. The Uplift StumpRest is easily transportable and comes with an optional stump cushion.

Cleats

A pair of slip-on cleats can be placed on shoes or boots to help protect you from falling. Easy to use, the cleats are small spikes pressed into a sandal-like harness, usually made of rubber, with no buckles or ties to fasten.

Stairlifts

Stairlifts enable the user to glide up and down stairs safely while seated. Stairlifts can be adapted for all types of staircases, straight or curved.

Shower legs or Swim legs 

Shower legs or swim legs (like the Aqualimb for below-knee amputees and one incorporating the Aulie knee for above-knee amputees) usually have a foot with a non-slip surface that can help prevent falls.