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accessibility

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Disability

Top 10 Ways To Increase Shower Accessibility

by Joanna No Banana March 21, 2021

A major struggle of many disabled people and/or those dealing with chronic illness can be the ability to practice “proper” hygiene. This article explores some of the ways in which showering and/or bathing can become more accessible. 

What is an accessible shower? What does an accessible shower mean?

Let’s begin this conversation by addressing  what is an accessible shower. An accessible shower is simply a shower that a person can take without any major difficulties. As you find when you look through the next section of this article which suggests  potential solutions to this problem, almost everyone uses something to help them have a more accessible shower. However, for disabled people the accessibility is more of a need than a want, while for nondisabled people it tends to be more of a convenience. Either way, more accessible showering can be extremely helpful to both groups of people.  

The following are some tools/products to make showers and baths accessible:

  • 1. Shower Chair 
    • How does a shower chair help increase shower accessibility? A shower chair offers an alternative to standing while taking a shower. 
    • Who does a shower chair help?  This tool can be extremely helpful to a wide variety of people. Anyone who can benefit from sitting down can be included in this category, such as people who tend to utilize wheelchairs, those who deal with joint issues, anyone experiencing chronic pain, those for whom standing may lead to fainting, etc.
    • Examples of a shower chair:
shower bench shower chair without handles on the sides shower chair with handles on the sides
  • 2. Shower Filter 
    • How does a shower filter help increase shower accessibility?  While a shower filter may seem like an unlikely accessibility tool,  it can be extremely beneficial to reduce and remove certain types of chemicals, such as chlorine, found in modern water systems. 
    • Who does a shower filter help? Those who are sensitive to chemicals oftentimes found in the water system would find a shower filter can help increase their shower accessibility.  For example, those dealing with any sort of Mast Cell Disorder would be able to take  safer showers which wouldn’t lead to unwanted symptoms such as hives and headaches. These filters also benefit anyone using them even if they don’t usually have any symptoms caused by their shower water, especially since a lot of water systems have things like chloride added which can dry out the skin and even cause some more serious problems in the long-run.
    • Examples of a shower filter:
shower filter with six different filters Vitamin C shower filter AquaBliss silver shower filter
  • 3. Shower Rack/Suction Cup Basket
    • How does a shower rack / suction cup basket help increase shower accessibility? These products help to provide easier access to hygiene products. By doing so, those taking a shower are able to spend more of their energy on utilizing the hygiene products rather than spending their energy on searching for and reaching for their products.
    • Who do these products help? These products can help anybody. However, those with mobility issues would greatly benefit from them.
    • Examples of shower rack and suction cup basket:
shower rack hanging in shower shower shelf with suction cup
  • 4. Safe Product
    • How does a safe product help increase shower accessibility? The term “safe product” is open to interpretation as it means something different to each individual. For example, it may mean fragrance-free or offer a packaging that is easy to open. Therefore, there are a variety of ways in which these products could help shower accessibility.
    • Who do safe products help? Since safe products can have varying meanings and uses per individual, they can help a wide range of people as well. Some specific examples would be hypoallergenic products for those with allergies/sensitivities and pumps on top of products for those dealing with joint issues.
    • Examples of a safe product:
two empty bottles with pumps fragrance free Vanicream moisturizing cream fragrance free Vanicream deodorant
  • 5. Handheld Shower Head
    • How does a handheld shower head help increase shower accessibility? A handheld shower head helps to shower the entire body with a minimized amount of effort.
    • Who does handheld shower head help? It helps a wide range of people, including those who need to be seated in a shower chair.
    • Example of a handheld shower head:
handheld shower head
  • 6. Back Scrubber
    • How does a back scrubber help increase shower accessibility? A back scrubber helps to clean certain body parts, such as the back, which may be hard to reach.
    • Who does a back scrubber help? Back scrubbers can aid anyone with mobility issues.
    • Examples of a back scrubber:
wooden-looking back scrubber with exfoliating glove exfoliating material back scrubber with exfoliating gloves plastic back scrubber with loofah on the opposite side
  • 7. Shower Mat
    • How does a shower mat help increase shower accessibility? A shower mat helps to prevent slipping and even prevent falls.
    • Who does a shower mat help? Shower mats are often used by many people as a preventative measure to help people feel safer and more comfortable in their showers. Some people who have trouble standing or struggle with heat intolerance especially to the point of fainting  can heavily benefit from a shower mat.
    • Examples of a shower mat:
shower mat for inside the shower shower mat for outside the shower
  • 8. Detangling Brush 
    • How does a detangling brush help increase shower accessibility? A detangling brush allows people two more easily brush their hair in the shower while being gentle on joints.
    • Who does a detangling brush help? It helps those who struggle with fatigue, joint pain, and anyone else feels discomfort while brushing their hair with more common types of hairbrushes. 
    • Examples of detangling brush:
two brushes from Wet Brush a mint brush with a curve for joint easiness a scalp massager
  • 9. Grab Rail 
    • How does a grab rail help increase shower accessibility? A grab rail helps similarly to a shower mat as it helps with slipping and prevents falling by having an area that someone can hold onto while showering.
    • Who does a grab rail help?  A grab rail helps anyone who is worried about slipping or falling. It also helps wheelchair users as they get into the shower/bathtub. 
    • Example of a grab rail:
photo of a grab rail
  • 10. Bath Board 
    • How does a bath board help increase shower accessibility?  A bath board allows a person to rest in their bathtub comfortably and be able to take care of hygiene needs from that position since all the necessary products are already placed on the bath board. 
    • Who does a bath board help? Anyone who takes baths, especially due to accessibility needs, should consider a bath board. 
    • Examples of bath boards:
adjustable width bath board simple bath board with indent in the middle for products large and luxurious bath board

While this is a list of my personal top 10 ways to increase shower accessibility from my experience and what has been brought to my attention, please keep in mind this list will be different for different people as all our needs vary from one to the next. Check out these options. Choose what works best for you. Make showering an easier task for yourself as much as possible. Hygiene can be difficult for many disabled and/or chronically ill people, so let’s make it as easy for ourselves as we can. 

(Please note that these links are affiliate links which means I may make a small profit if you purchase these products through my links. Thank you so much!)

March 21, 2021 0 comment
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My name is Joanna. I’m a 24-year-old chronically ill and disabled blogger whose goal is to help build our wonderful community.Read More!

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#ad Did you know that 70 to 80% of people with ute #ad Did you know that 70 to 80% of people with uteruses will develop fibroids in their lifetime yet United HealthCare is currently refusing to cover all available treatment options?
 
Many people with uteruses suffer from uterine fibroids for years as they await a proper diagnosis and proper treatment. As someone who is chronically ill, I strongly sympathize with those who aren’t getting what they need from the medical system. 

Black people with uteruses are disproportionately affected by Uterine Fibroids as their symptoms tend to appear earlier in life, display a greater amount of fibroids, and showcase more severe symptoms. 

Are you aware that insurance coverage policies drive inequity? 

At this moment, @unitedhealthcare is currently refusing to cover all treatment options for Uterine Fibroids, including RFA! 

(RFA stands for radiofrequency ablation which is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to target fibroids individually to reduce their size significantly.)

Let’s speak out against this injustice to help those who need RFA and other treatments for Uterine Fibroids get their medical needs covered by @unitedhealthcare insurance!

What can you do? 

Share this post on your stories, speak about your own experiences with @unitedhealthcare refusing to cover your fibroids treatment, tweet, etc. in order to force UHC to stop limiting options for fibroid treatment for millions of women. If you have UHC insurance, share this information with your employer and encourage your HR department to reach out to @UnitedHealthcare for an explanation Follow the White Dress Project on IG and Twitter to stay up to date with any updates regarding this important mission!
Proud to join @wecanwearwhite in their important mission! 

The White Dress Project is a nonprofit patient support organization for people with fibroids. 

#UHC #WeCanWearWhite #Sponsored #ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disability #Disabled #WhyNOTmeUHC #makeunitedhealthCARE 

sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3874080/, 
and https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/fibroids/what-are-fibroids
Double tap if you can relate! Humor can be a won Double tap if you can relate! 

Humor can be a wonderful way to help cope with the symptoms of chronic illness, especially when we feel that we aren't in control of our bodies, such as during flare ups.

I hope this tweet makes you smile at least a little bit. 💛

Follow @joannanobanana for more content like this!

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Dysautonomia
#ad Are you looking for a supplement which can aid #ad Are you looking for a supplement which can aid with hormonal imbalance? Check out @janes_supp as a potential option for you!

Jane’s contains a wide range of amazing sources of nutrients such as ginger, turmeric, watercress, basil, dill seed, and black pepper. You can even check out their website to find out the origins of where these ingredients are sourced.

Jane’s ingredients don’t include shellfish, dairy, and soy. Alongside this, it also doesn't include corn or gluten!

This product is also Kosher Certified and Certified Organic.

Check out @janes_supp to join the community and learn more!

#HormonalSupplement #HormonalBalance #HormonalHealth #Health
Anyone else in this pipeline? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙃

It's so easy to get wrapped into the "hustle culture" pipeline. The idea that we can have everything we ever dreamed of if we just follow the perfect plan. 

Hustle hard in school and then at work and then life is easy, right?

But what happens when the constant stress, the lack of sleep, the lack of nutrition, etc. wears our bodies out in some way?

What happens when we get older and realize that the reason why many of us won't achieve the easy life isn't because of lack of hard work but because of oppressive systems already in place?

I'm sure many of us can relate to this situation. You give up everything for the dream life and then deal with chronic illness. When you lose your health you realize how important that was in the first place.

Our bodies are so burnt out and now we're doing the best we can to prevent further damage as much as possible. Maybe to heal from it at least a bit if possible?

Many of us took the steps to take care of our health too. Work out daily. Eat healthy, home made foods. Find ways to destress.

However, for some of our bodies that wasn't enough to prevent the chronic illness. This is now even more common as we're in a mass disabling event.

So if you take one thing from this post, please allow it to be this: rest. 💛

Rest like your body depends on it and not in the hustle hard every day for a week of rest. Rest as if that's what should be priority in the first place and may we find a way to together bring down the oppressive systems. 💛

Do you relate to this pipeline? Comment below!

Follow @joannanobanana for more content like this!

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disabled #Disability #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome #Dysautonomia
What have you learned due to your chronic illness What have you learned due to your chronic illness and/or disability? 💛

Chronic illness taught me many things. One of the biggest is to live in the moment as plans are usually likely to change soon anyways. 

Just because things aren’t going to plan, it doesn’t mean that things won’t work out. 💛

For more content like this follow @joannanobanana 

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #MastCellActivationSyndrome #Dysautonomia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome
Double tap if you agree! 💛 Chronically ill peo Double tap if you agree! 💛

Chronically ill people / disabled people speaking our truths is so crucial!

It's a way for us to communicate, bond with those with shared experiences, and work together to find ways to fight ableism and seek disability justice.

However, unfortunately, due to ableism, our narrative is oftentimes taken away from us.

With every experience of our symptoms being dismissed, every ableist comment, every rejection of our accessibility needs, etc. we have to fight in order to be heard.

Even when we are heard we are oftentimes dismissed for our stories.

The moment people realize that we're disabled/chronically ill and that it won't take some overly simple "cure" to heal us in a matter of days, the general public stops believing us about not only how we feel in our body but also how differently the world treats us.

I think a lot of it is related to how people who aren't disabled / chronically ill fear becoming like us so they want to convince themselves that they would never become like us which as we all know is a false pretense to have. Anyone can become disabled at any time in their life.

My hope is that one day the ableism won't be so deeply sown into our society and more disabled / chronically ill people can share their narratives without society ignoring us or fighting us about our experiences.

Have you experienced being dismissed about your narrative due to your disability / chronic illness? Please feel free to share in the comments! 💛

Follow @joannanobanana for more content like this!

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disabled #Disability #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome #Dysautonomia
C to the 19 left me with health issues that I’m C to the 19 left me with health issues that I’m still dealing with to this day, but the power of community helped me get back to a much better place.

I hope that 2023 is the year where I can pay you back tenfold for the kindness, love, and support shown for me. 💛

Thank you for everything! 🤗

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Dysautonomia
Double tap if you agree! 💛 Are invisible disab Double tap if you agree! 💛

Are invisible disabilities really invisible? 

Is it possible that we’re oftentimes hiding our pain and other symptoms from other people for their own comfort? 

For example, my MCAS can be seen in the hives on my skin and my POTS can be seen in the pooling in my legs turning them purple.

These symptoms are visible if someone looks close enough. 

Personally I’ve spent a long time hiding my symptoms for the comfort of others and as I get older and learn to live my life in my own way, I’m finding that it’s not something that I really have the energy to do anymore. I much rather spend my limited energy on things that bring my joy. 💛

I think there is a certain level of symptom masking that happens naturally to some extent and I’m not quite sure what to make of that to be honest. 

Is it the way we’re socialized? 

Is it the way in which we sometimes ignore our symptoms to focus on other aspects of our lives? 

This is a rambling post with a lot of questions posed. In this moment, I don’t have the answers but I look forward to the conversation. 💛

How do you feel about the term "invisible disability"? Comment below!

Follow @joannanobanana for more content on chronic illness / disability!

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disabled #Disability #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome #Dysautonomia
#ad Time to take a #LUNAMiniMoment (with my lovely #ad Time to take a #LUNAMiniMoment (with my lovely cat Luna) during the holiday season! #LUNABarCrew

The holiday seasons can be such a joyous time, but it can also be really overwhelming.

We have these grand ideas of what this magical time should look like. It can be difficult to make that magic happen without getting overwhelmed here and there. That’s why taking a break is so important!

Personally, I love to take a break by snacking on the LUNA Chocolate Cupcake while hanging out with my cats to relax and reset. (The cat in the photo is also named Luna which is a funny coincidence!)

LUNA® is a delicious plant-based snack made with organic rolled oats for a feel-good break. It’s also gluten free, non-GMO, and doesn’t include high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

Grab a LUNA Chocolate Cupcake and make sure to take a break when you need it!

#GlutenFree #PlantBased #SnackTime
Please remember to be gentle with yourself! 💛 Please remember to be gentle with yourself! 💛

The holidays tend to bring up flare ups as we try to celebrate which can overwork our bodies.

It's also a time when a lot of people get sick so potentially getting sick for us is another source of stress.

On top of that, it's also a time of self-reflection which can all too easily turn into self-criticism as we tend to make plans for changes starting in the new year.

Whatever the source is of your flare up, I hope your symptoms come down to your baseline soon. 💛

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disabled #Disability #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome
Not sure what they get your friends and family for Not sure what they get your friends and family for the holidays? 

Don’t worry! These are some awesome holidays gift ideas available at @francescas 

Which one is your favorite? Comment below!

Use “Joanna10” at @francescas for an extra 10% off!

#HolidayGiftGuide #HolidayGiftGuide2022 #FallFashion #franAmbassador
Double tap if you can relate! 💛 Unfortunately Double tap if you can relate! 💛

Unfortunately for our plans, we don't get to choose which days out of the year we have which symptoms.

Please remember to be gentle with yourself and others this holiday season. The holidays are a time that's supposed to be wonderful but it's difficult for many people for a variety of reasons, including chronic illness.

The stress of having a low symptom day (especially spanning over several days) can trigger a flare up, so it's already tricky in that regard.

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and everything goes according to your plans!

What are your plans this holiday season? Are you planning on hanging out at home, going to see family, etc.? Comment below!

Follow @joannanobanana for more content like this! 

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #Disabled #Disability #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #MastCellActivationSyndrome
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About Me

About Me

My name is Joanna. I’m a 24-year-old chronically ill and disabled blogger whose goal is to help build our wonderful community.

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    Imposter Syndrome: Dynamic Disability Edition

    September 6, 2020
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    The Difficulty of Weight Change Caused by Chronic Illness

    July 18, 2020
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    How to Grieve: Chronic Illness Edition

    October 15, 2020

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