Sometimes it seems that the most innocuous situation can turn into a most trying time. One example is getting out of a car. Getting in and out of a car is akin to squatting, balancing on one leg, bending at the waist while lowering the head and using different muscle groups with the apex of the muscle strain being on the knee, hips and the twisting lower back. Doing this daily 'simple' common movement can be very difficult for disabled people or for those weakened during recovery time from surgery, for pregnant or overweight individuals and for the elderly.
Having the lower body muscle groups stretching, moving sideways, twisting, and balancing, carrying most of the body weight while starting or ending this movement from a crouched-sitting position can be difficult for almost anyone. This can be especially difficult with cars that don't have the handhold above the door, which could mean that the only assistance from the upper body is grasping outside of the vehicle to pull on a movable object such as a car door, and pushing behind with the other arm on another movable object like the steering wheel.
This dangerous predicament can be trumped with an innocuous device like the HandyBar II®. This ingenious little lightweight device weighs in at under a pound yet can withstand 350 pounds of weight. Made of steel with an ergonomic rubber grip for comfort and easy handling, this HandyBar® Car Helper can provide leverage for entering or exiting a vehicle, relieving the hips and knees from a lot of unnecessary stress and strain.
It is very simple to use, and easy to carry in a purse, or fits easily into a glove compartment. Just insert the HandyBar® into the U-shaped striker plate located on the vehicle door frame, at waist-level of the driver or passenger. Once inserted, the HandyBar® creates a solid foundation for the person to grasp and use the upper body to assist with getting in and out of the car. This little device can add a large amount of security, independence, mobility and confidence to the disabled, weakened or recovering individual.
As an added safety bonus, the HandyBar® also has a built-in seat belt cutter in case of an accident where the victim is trapped, and it can additionally be used as a window breaker in an emergency event.
Sometimes the simplest thing can have the biggest effect on someone. With the newer cars being only inches from the ground, or pick-up trucks a foot or more above the parking surface, being able to grasp and steady one's self while also using leverage to stand up from a crouching position, or to be able to hold onto a solid foundation while sliding down off the edge of a truck seat is a great comfort over the fear of falling. This is especially useful during the winter months of ice and snow, or on the slick parking lot pavement after a rain shower. The HandyBar II® is truly the embodiment of 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'.
Bill Stock
and
Hulet Smith, OT
