Eating with a Spinal Cord Injury

Eating

Determined2Heal Tips:

Have multiple sets of feeding supplies
- Have one in the home
- Have one in the car
- Have one in your backpack
Create a traveling pack for your feeding supplies and put all of your utensils inside a plastic Ziploc bag

This section of the web ite provides many different means of eating.

Eating at home for quadriplegics

Typically I find that when I'm at home I usually don't feed myself. This is not a good thing. Yes, it might be more convenient and faster to have a family member or caregiver feed you but as my occupational therapist would say, "If you have the ability to feed yourself, do it."

Eating out for quadriplegics

When eating out it is important to bring any adaptive feeding supplies. Creating a travel bag that is kept in your vehicle gives an individual the option and independence to eat out freely. To learn more about travel that, click here.

When eating out I tend to order food that I feel is easiest for me to stab with my fork and typically don't order the foods that I'm craving, like messy boned Buffalo wings. Don't be afraid to order the messy foods, just ask the waiter, friends, or caregivers to prepare the food so that it is accessible for you to eat. Worse comes to worse, somebody can feed you.

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Utensils

Drinking

Plates / Bowls

Bibs

Trays / Dyson Sticky Pad

Travel Kit

Utensils

Dining with dignity
These utensils are great for quadriplegics that do not have the ability to grip with their fingers. Before using these utensils meet with your occupational therapist to bend the metal specifically for your functional eating needs. You can add protection to the metal by putting additional mole skin covering the metal rings.

Supergrip Bendable Utensils

The extra-large handle on these utensils make it easier for low-level quadriplegics to grip. The bendable metal also makes it easier because you can bend the metal so that the utensil end comes in contact more easily with the food.

Sporks

Spoon plus a fork in one

Rocking T Knife

"Large, 4" handle with a stainless-steel 3½" single-edged blade. Pressure applied directly above food, so less strength and dexterity is needed. Will cut meat and other foods. Wooden handle dishwasher safe to 125°F. Plastic handle dishwasher safe to 220°F. Ideal for purse or pocket. Carrying case sold separately. Latex free."

Universal Cuff

"Leather ADL cuff with elastic strap. Holds various utensils as well as the right-angle pocket (C1532 & C1533, page 1027). Sizes based on MCP width. Utensil not included. *Caution: This product contains natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions."

Wrist Support with Palmar Swivel Clip

"Leather-covered metal splints. Plastic palmar clip with utensil pocket. The clip must be heated with a heat gun before adjusting. Wrist position changes easily by bending the metal. MCP width measurements below. Utensil not included. Latex free."

Drinking

Camelbak's are typically used for individuals who like to carry water while hiking or running. The disabled community has an advantage when it comes to caring a camelbak because we are able to strap it on to the back of our wheelchairs. With different Camelback products already available on the market an individual with a spinal cord injury can access water wherever they go.

If you'd like what each piece in this picture does and to learn how to build a camelbak click here

Drinking Straw Holder

"This straw holder positions a straw at the correct angle — regardless of its size. Consists of a spring clamp which attaches to the edge of a glass and a stainless steel retainer that holds the straw in place. Latex free."

Reusable Drinking Straws

"These 18" straws come in two varieties: flexible polyethylene and rigid Plexiglas®. The 1/8"- and 1/4"-diameter, rigid straws can be heated with a heat gun and reshaped as desired. The rigid, 1/4"-diameter straw is ideal for soups. The flexible polyethylene straw comes with a 3/16"-diameter hole. Latex free."

Two slot cup and mug holder

Depending on what kind of wheelchair you have. This cup holder attaches somewhere on your wheelchair allowing you access to a beverage of your choice.

Cup with Built-in-straw

"Eliminates the need to buy and keep track of extra straws. The design works well for adults and children who need to drink using a straw. To prevent air ingestion, the straw has access to liquid at the bottom of cup. Small holds 13 oz. of liquid, large 16 oz."

Plates/Bowls

Scoop Dish

"7½" round dish with convenient scoop edge that rises gradually from front to back. Latex free."

Partitioned Scoop Dish

"White melamine, 8¾" diameter dinner plate with ¾"-high dividers and nearly vertical sides. Two sections have a 4-oz. capacity; the third holds 8 oz. Not recommended for microwave or heavy institutional use. Dishwasher safe to 180°F. Latex free."

Tilted Soup Bowl

"Useful for eating cereal, soup, chili and stew. The bottom of bowl is slightly tilted forward, so user can easily get all of the contents from the bowl without tipping it forward by hand. Children and seniors especially appreciate this special design. It works well in homes, hospitals, nursing care facilities and cafeterias."

Bibs

Disposable Food Catcher

"Convenient, lightweight, throw-away protectors comfortably tie behind the neck. Latex Free. Package of 50."

Terry-Cloth Food Catcher

"Its 15" drop includes a double-thick 3" pocket for extra absorbency. 14½" wide with all edges bound. Pocket opens with Velcro® fasteners for easy cleaning. Neck fastening is also Velcro®. Latex free. Package of 10."

Trays / Dyson Sticky Pad

Dycem Nonslip Plastic

I use dycem with so many daily activities. I consider dycem to be my third hand. Whatever you put on it sticks to it. It does not leave any sticky residue and is washable which is a plus because I use it underneath my plates when eating.