by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Lawn Care With One Arm Behind My Back!

 

Lawnmower operator using one arm to control a zero turn mower.

 

Mike Edighoffer has operated a lawn care and leaf collection business with one arm since 2002.  He employs a full time helper during summer and fall when work is busiest.  He owns a full line of modern and well maintained lawn care equipment including two joystick-controlled zero-turn mowers, backpack leaf blowers, line trimmers and a Trac-Vac leaf collection system.  A full-size pickup truck and trailer are used to transport equipment to the 30+ job sites where work is done.

 

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Every Person Has Equal Value

Old house in the countryI had a long conversation with a young woman with bipolar disorder.  She had been a highly trained and successful certified public accountant, climbing the corporate ladder.  Now, she is living a secluded life in a large old farmhouse on a quiet road, wondering how she will pay her mortgage.  She feels like a failure, but I assured her that she has great purpose and value regardless of her illnesses and struggle.

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Assistive Technology Professional Training

DisabilityWorkTools is committed to having professional staff in the field of assistive technology.  Ned Stoller, the owner of DisabilityWorkTools is a certified Assistive Technology Professional through RESNA, and has a B.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University.

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Gripping Story For Arthritic Hands

Biting a rope when arthritic hands won't grip.Flinging hammers.  Smashing mugs.  Hugging posts.  Stomping pedals.  Clenching teeth.

 

This could sound like a temper tantrum, but it’s not.  This is a tradesman in his shop or on the work site getting the job done in spite of impaired grip strength.  Sometimes…

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

The Confusion of Having a Disability

Cartoon of a country vet looking at a cow's foot and commenting "Its hard to find spare parts for these!"Having a disability can be confusing.  It is not as easy as replacing parts on a broken machine.  Some disabling injuries are more straightforward.  The injury happens, a new normal develops, and life goes on in a different direction with different tools in the toolbox.  However, most disabling conditions are far more confusing.  Abilities to work fluctuate from day to day (or even hour by hour).  Today a medication works great, and tomorrow it may cause severe side affects that are more complicated than the condition being treated.  No wonder it is such a challenge to work in spite of a disabling illness or injury!

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Cherry Land and Karate Kid for Arthritis

Picture of Lake Michigan shore at Traverse City, MI.Traverse City, Michigan is a beautiful place to visit, positioned at the base of the scenic Leelanau peninsula in the heart of cherry growing country.  On May 31 you can join the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis and stroll along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline!  It seems appropriate to take a walk in support of arthritis research, since research shows that moving the joints is one of the best treatments for arthritis.  So what does this have to do with Karate Kid?

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Arthritis Month In The Workshop

Magnetic pick up tool for collecting small items instead of pinching them between two fingers.May is Arthritis month because arthritis has to be taken seriously. It’s America’s primary cause of disability and can be painful, debilitating and costly.  Disability Work Tools and the Arthritis Foundation have parallel goals of improving daily life for people with arthritis.  There are many ways to adapt tools and work methods for mechanics, welders and fabricators to do their work with less pain in spite of arthritic hands and arms.

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Thanksgiving

Lev 22:29  And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.

Today is a day of thanksgiving.  Give thanks of your own free will!
Jesus on the cross

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