Opening doors
- Push doors using a hip, shoulder or foot.
- Pull the door open by standing close to the door, turning the handle and walking backwards, holding your arm still.
- Revolving doors should be moved by pressing on the outer edge (there is more leverage), or letting someone go first.
- No doorbell? Tap with the umbrella, or something similar, or kick the door. Alternatively call on your mobile to let the person know when you will be arriving.
- Elevator buttons can be pushed with an elbow or knuckle.
- Keys can be covered with a keyholder.
- At home, invest in special handles covering the door knob, and apply a little EasyGlide as a lubricant to stiff locks and knobs.
Carrying
- If you use a shoulder bag, carry it across your body.
- Look for backpacks with a supportive strap at waist level.
- Don’t carry unnecessary items in your bag.
- Look for big pockets in parkas, vests or jackets, and buy a pair of cargo pants, and use them to carry keys, wallets, etc.
- Use firm containers like baskets or boxes which can be carried close to your body and rest on your hip or stomach.
- Waist packs are available from outdoor shops.
- Try a bumbags – these range from the very small and neat to large and capacious.
- Use trolleys (e.g. laundry trolleys). You can take small parcels of wet clothes to the laundry basket stationed outside.
For more information on, take a look at our Helping Hand Sheet ‘Handles’.
While you’re here…
While you’re here, how about helping us out with a donation?
We’re a really small organisation doing a really big job. We give people with RSI across Australia the info they need to get the right treatments, navigate the worker’s compensation system and better manage daily life.
Every little bit helps – so make a donation here to help us as Australia’s only RSI support organisation.