A little over three years ago we were tagged in a post on Instagram by kayaker Jillian Elwart. Jillian was born with a malformed right leg and a right hand consisting of a thumb and two fingers. She was using her General Purpose Gripping Aid to help her keep a firm hold of her paddle, while taking …
On November 30th 2016, avid gym goer and crossfit enthusiast Paul Dewey was where he spent most of his free time; at his local gym, CrossFit Johns Creek in Georgia, USA. He was coming to the end of a gruelling 10 minute double-unders drill (jumping rope, where the rope has to pass under you twice every jump) when …
Don’t Quit, CrossFit! – A Stroke Survivor’s Story Read More »
The last few months inflation has gone through the roof, and we’re all feeling the pressure of higher prices and less disposable income. That’s why we’ve been looking at some budget-friendly ways to have fun this summer. Rethink your Entertainment (And no, we don’t mean cancel your Netflix subscription!) It’s easy to feel like the …
Disability Friendly Ways to Have Fun on a Budget Read More »
Cerebral palsy can affect children to varying degrees depending on its severity. Symptoms can include weakened arms and hands coupled with clumsy and uncontrolled movements. This means that it can often be a frustrating struggle for children to carry out basic tasks. Active Hands provides a number of gadgets for Cerebral Palsy that are perfect …
There are few things more enjoyable in life than getting outdoors on a warm summer day and doing something liberating. As a quad wheelchair user who lives in the UK, I am more than accustomed to waking up to the sound of wind and rain beating against the bedroom windows. On these days I know, …
This week, I’ve brought my toddler to stay with my mum and dad while our older son goes on a boys’ adventure with Dad. While here, I get the golden opportunity to sit back and observe my little one play, rather than being actively involved in the game. And what I’ve observed is that she …
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Pinnell as Production Manager. Sarah has been working for Active Hands for 9 years as an outworker, sewing gripping aids at home and sending them up to the office ready for sale. She came across Active Hands whilst working at a care company alongside one of our other outworkers, …
Have you ever wondered how our gripping aids go from raw materials to packaged gripping aids? Find out what happens behind the scenes.
The last in our series of Gadgets for Arthritis covers products that can help you when you are out and about. Whether you’re gardening or fishing, driving or dog walking; we have aids to ease those aching joints: For that bit of extra grip when locking/unlocking doors, try the Keywing. An inconspicuous bit of plastic that …
The next article on gadgets for arthritis contains products to help you around the house. Designed to help lessen day to day hassle, these gadgets are great for taking some of the stress off those swollen, painful finger joints: If you’re wanting to add some extra grip to your phone, tablet or laptop then the Cat …
For many of us cooking is enjoyable, but for everyone eating is essential! Cooking doesn’t need to be a pain, even with arthritis, if you have the right gadgets to help you. We have a wide range of gadgets that can help you get back in your kitchen. Kitchen Gadgets for Getting into Your Food …
Arthritis can be a real pain, both literally and metaphorically, with the swelling and stiffening of joints leading to reduced finger movement and a weakened grip. This can affect a whole host of day to day tasks including personal care, kitchen prep, outdoor activities and more. On top of our selection of gripping and exercise …
Active Hands had humble beginnings. The company started with Rob and Mel’s Mum, Marion, making gripping aids for Rob and his wheelchair rugby teammates. As word about the products got out, demand grew and Marion could not keep up. It was at this early stage that Shirley joined Active Hands. Shirley Joins the Company Shirley …
In the weeks and months that follow a catastrophic injury, everything is different. Finding new rhythms and routines to life can be difficult with a body that works differently and a brain that is processing trauma. But as the dust settles and a ‘new normal’ is emerging, what role can exercise play in improving both …
New Year, New Injury, New Questions As we all enter a brand new year, my 17th on wheels, I wanted to pose a question to my fellow “person’s of varying disabilities”, something that’s been on my mind more and more recently: How have you dealt, or how do you plan to deal, with an eventual …
