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The EZ Stand

THE PROBLEM:  Enabling a paraplegic to stand. Benefits: bone retention, better circulation, healthier heart.

THE SOLUTION:  The Poor Man's EZ Stand. Don't build and use anything like this without your Doctor's approval. A commercial EZ stand costs around $1500. The commercial EZ stand is better in every respect but one; the Poor Man's EZ stand is cheap. Less than $15. It is made out of two 2x4" boards and one 3/4" piece of plywood. The 2x4s are nailed or screwed to the plywood and have a hole at the bottom for my feet to go under. The stand is just propped against a deck railing. (It would be safer to secure it to the railing with a latch or fastener.) The bottom of the 2x4s were cut at a slight angle in order to tilt the stand toward the railing. A piece of rubber should be attached to the bottom of each 2x4 to keep them from slipping on the floor. I fold a blanket over the top of the EZ stand so that it cushions my knees. Foam rubber pads could also be used. I grab the railing (not the EZ stand), pull myself up to a standing position, and then strap myself into the EZ stand with a rope or belt. It turns out that the kitchen sink is a bit too low for me to easily wash dishes. My wife thought it might be a bit extravagant to raise the sink. However, it IS possible for me to wash dishes. Smile from my wife.

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