Modification

I am blessed.
Not because I have a nasty chronic illness.
But because I have the means and live in a place and time where I can access items to make my life easier and reduce pain. I'm very aware that not everyone is so fortunate, so resourced or so supported. This makes me incredibly lucky.

As I get to know what I can easily do and what's more challenging for me I also learn what's worth the spoons and what isn't. Some things I can still do fine, but they cost so much in energy and muscle strain that it's just not worth it.

Here are a few things I found (all on Amazon - no affiliation) that have been making my life much easier. I'm not giving links to each thing because that's a hassle. Yes, I paid full price and wasn't compensated at all. But they've helped me.

This has helped the most. It's a UV sun parasol that's super compact. It has much better coverage that a hat and shirt and is light and easy to cary. It was less than $20 and it is the single most useful thing I've bought. If you're on a medication that causes sun sensitivity or sun reaction I 100% urge you to get one. I need to get another one so I can leave one in my car at all times.

This stainless steel mini chef knife has also been fantastic. My hand would hurt for hours after using our nice knives. This one has a rubber grip that has a bit of give so the impact doesn't go straight to your hand. The shape is very useful and the smaller size makes it perfect for things I regularly chop like onions. It's my favorite kitchen tool now.

Handles on cups are also a big deal now. They help me keep a grip on my glass and keep my hand from getting too hot or cold. Something you have to watch with both RA and Raynauds. My favorite coffee travel mug with a handle recently broke (not my fault.) So I bought this one. It's ceramic instead of plastic and I love the wooden handle. It fits great in my hand.

Click on the picture to go to the Etsy store

I'd been sneaking some thick cardboard cup cozies from our local grocery store and keeping them in my purse. These are wonderful for when you're eating out in a restaurant. They keep your hands from getting too cold and improve your grip on the glass. Though I also recommend using a straw, especially if you're on an immunosuppressant. 

But to put the paper ones on I still had to lift the cup up. I was looking for some fabric velcro ones that I could just un-do and re-attach once secure. I found this fantastic Etsy shop with hand made cup coozies in all kinds of fun fabrics. Now I have 2 in my purse and 3 for home. 

Ok... this one seems stupid. But I really love fresh ground pepper! I also love my "choose the size of your grind" hand pepper grinder. But that's exactly the kind of motion I'm supposed to avoid with RA. So I found these electric grinders that also have a "choose your grind" setting. I haven't used them yet because each one takes 6 AAA batteries (and who has that many just laying around!?) Next time I hit Costco I'll get a pack. But I'm so excited to have them and can't wait to get back to fresh pepper on my salad. If you don't indulge in this, you're really missing out.

I now own two of these amazing baskets. One of delicates and one for panties and such. No more toting heavy baskets out to my garage. Now I just wheel dirty stuff out and clean stuff back in. 

The biggest modification to my life however hasn't been in what I've bought. Its been an adjustment to how much I do and in letting my husband help me. He does almost all of the driving now. Not that I can't but he doesn't mind and it saves my energy. I tend to wait in the car for super fast errands like hitting the ATM. I let him get me gas when he can. It saves me touching the dirty screen and pump. All these little things can add up to a lot of energy and hand use. He's wonderful and doesn't mind picking up the slack. I do what I can like cleaning the kitchen counters (it doesn't require bending or pulling.) 

It hasn't been easy for me to learn to ask for help or to rely on him for more things. I'm very independent. My Nana tells stories of me being very little and refusing the help of others with a defiant "I can do it myself!" That instinct is still strong. But my husband told me a long time ago that "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should have to." That has stuck with me. I'm very blessed to have his support and help and now I don't hesitate to ask for it when I need it.