Designing Proper Dishes for Quadriplegic Disables

Abstract

Background: This article ponders about one of the challenges faced by quadriplegic disables and investigates their capability in doing daily activities. Considering the high frequency of disability in the world, it is of vital importance to do research about this group of people many of who played significant roles in Iran-Iraq’s war, serving them the right to be independent for handling their daily and personal activities. Any attempt to improve their perceptions of having control over their life and expand their choices for a preferred living situation has been proved to lead to a better quality of life in these people. Devices such as wheelchairs and walkers were traditionally devised to facilitate life for disables but this article took a further step to design special dishes compatible with the needs of spinal cord injury disables particularly quadriplegics. This measure is unprecedented in Iran and any comprehensive measure was not previously taken in the world. Objectives: Facilitating eating habits of quadriplegics was the main goal of this project; designing dishes for quadriplegic disables. Materials and Methods: In this study, field research was conducted, using a questionnaire, library, Internet, and an interview with quadriplegics and those who are incapacitated in using their hand. Results: The designed dishes were given to several quadriplegic disables, which drew their attention pleasantly and satisfied them. The “Disables and Veterans Institute” also approved the dishes. Conclusions: By using these dishes in all rehabilitation centers, pain and suffering of these patients can be alleviated and their independency can be improved. Although the "Disables and Veterans' Institute" welcomed the project, due to various reasons, this is yet to be massively produced.