Since March 2020, I have been spending a lot of time in my house. The COVID pandemic led my law office to start working remotely and the college I teach at also moved to online classes. So, thankfully, I am staying safe in my home. I have to say, I never expected to spend this much time in my house. Now that it’s been almost a year of living and working at home, I am starting to get the hang of things and realizing just how much I depend on my iLevel technology around my home! These are my most common ways that I use my iLevel Power Wheelchair.
Microwaving my Coffee
Ask my husband and he will tell you that I am the slowest coffee drinker in the world. It takes me hours to finish just one cup of coffee, but I hate when it gets cold! This was never a problem when I went to the office because I brought a travel cup to work that kept my coffee warm. Now that I am working from home, I use a regular coffee mug for my morning joe. This means my coffee gets cold quicker and I am always heating it up! My microwave is above my stove, so I elevate more times than I can count just to warm up my coffee throughout the day.
Cooking Dinner
Pre-pandemic, my husband and I enjoyed eating out quite a bit. Now that we’re staying home and staying safe, I am cooking more than ever and I am so thankful for my iLevel! Elevating my power wheelchair anywhere up to 12 inches means I can raise to the right height for chopping and sautéing veggies, straining boiling pasta, and so much more. When I use my crockpot, I need to elevate a bit higher than usual to reach and to see inside the crockpot and stir whatever I am cooking. When I am putting things in the oven, I need my power wheelchair at a lower height. I love that I have the flexibility to stop at any height I need to get the job done!
Hanging Up My Clothes
A luxury of working from home is that I now have time to put my clothes away after I wash and dry them (I used to just wear them straight out of the basket!). With my iLevel, I can reach the bar in my closet to hang up all of my sweaters and dresses. Honestly, I am feeling a lot more organized!
Petting My Cats
Now that we have two dogs, that cats have taken to higher ground! Our four cats love spending time in their 8-foot cat tree, as well as on top of counters, dressers, and any tall space that they can find. They’re happy to be up high and away from the pups, and I am happy that I can still reach them to spend time with them. I just push a button to elevate and I can pet them as the purr away!
Taking Out the Trash
On the rare days that I leave the house, it’s usually to go outside to take out the trash. My iLevel helps me with this task. It’s easier for me to lift the garbage out of the can when I am elevated because it gives me some leverage. It is also easier for me to toss the bag into the big trash bin outside, which would be taller than me if I did not have iLevel technology!
About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador advisor for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.