cooking on crutches?

Question

Calling all crutch users I need a little assistance.
I've used crutches for short periods of time for years. I had to rely on them a lot prior to my revision but I managed to use my leg for short periods of time so I could cook. Now I'm facing another possible 3 weeks ( hopefully 2) with out my leg. ( The revision on March 10th went wonderfully by the way)
I have fore arm crutches and I can't figure out how to cook or pour drinks for myself. I'm taking distance courses so I'm home all day by myself and I'm getting sick of eating snacks and sandwiches.

looking for some advice from long time crutch users.

Answer 1

Hey,



I usually choose to cook seated. It prevents disasters and has saved lots of food from going on the floor LOL. I used to have a rolling stool like the type in a doctor's office. Made things easy

Answer 2

Sometimes I use my walking stick (mop stick) to keep my balance in the house but mostly I use it outdoors. And I use a shopping cart. Perhaps you can get a small rolling table on which you can put your food and roll it to where you need to, or put your dining table in the kitchen and eat in there next to the stove so you won't have to carry things a long way. You can also wear an apron that has pockets in it and stuff a sandwich in there or a cup or a bottle or can of pop in there and still walk with your crutches. That apron could be anything that fits around your waist and fastens. That was copied I think from the walkers that have an apron type thing attached to them and some even have a table attached to the walker and the walker is on wheels. Why not just talk with your mom and ask her (or your friend) to fashion an apron just for you. I've got to admit that I put a cotton towel down on the floor or rug and eat anywhere that I find comfortable.



You can pull out something from a freezer and heat it up in a microwave near where you will be sitting for the afternoon. Just don't stay in the room when the microwave is on.

Answer 3

I use crutches daily when I am at home and then more on the weekends. I prefer my prosthesis at work since I have to carry things. This brings up the eternal question for me of using forearm crutches versus underarm crutches. While I find that the forearm style looks nicer, I am a champ on underarm crutches. I can carry a full plate of food and a glass of liquid while using the underarm style. Fat chance with the forearm type. Describing how I do this task would take up too much space here, but feel free to ask me.



Another suggestion is getting yourself a bar stool. I keep one in the kitchen and use it like a leg. I sit my hinney on the side of the missing leg and step and then pull the bar stool along. It slides smoothly along the floor. I suppose you could get one with wheels added too. My bar stool is the perfect height for me. You might need to tweak the height if you are shorter. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

When I first came home, I had some (not a lot) success using a chair the height of a bar stool and cooking from a seated position. Today, I have pretty much given up on using my stove and oven. I find that I cannot stand for long periods of time (more due to my heart condition than my prosthetic) and most of my meals are frozen dinners in the microwave with occasional George Foreman grill cooking.

Answer 5

I use the fore arm crutches.. sometimes, I usually use my chair. BUT when I do use the crutches when cooking. I use the counter for support and use one crutch. I can get short distances with one crutch with out falling.



I do like the idea of a stool with wheels.. I think I will check out the thrift shops for one of those. As my chair needs to go in the shop for a tune up again..

Peace

Answer 6

I don't use crutches, but I lose my balance when I walk. So I have an adjustable height stool with wheels in the kitchen that I can still on. To work at a counter I have it higher, and then I lower it to move from one place to another.



The one I got comes in colors and I really like it - cheap too 39.95

http://www.bizchair.com/lf-214a-yellow-gg.html

Answer 7

Shelley,

I am glad to hear the revision went well. I hope you continue to heal quickly!



Hmm.. carrying the food. What about a stool or something on wheels that you can push around?



This is out of my league really. I'm a wheelchair user.



Good luck!!

Answer 8

Here is one idea.



Get a lap table, like the ones used while you're in bed.



Drill a hole on each side (length wise). Attach a rope or cord through each hole. Tie around your neck like a necklace.



The table would lay flush against your chest. That way, you could still walk with your food.

Answer 9

If inventors were able to patent something, I am sure it would sell but it would be expensive.



Maybe I might design an idea for you.

Answer 10

what aboout sitting while cooking-look for a taller stool on wheels