Jennifer Peacock-Smith has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). She has a rich story to tell of misdiagnosis, advocacy, strength and perseverance …and is now writing a series of books about it all which span four decades, nearly a dozen cities across over six different countries, but ultimately about not only surviving but thriving. Her blogs and books tell this story as well as the on going struggles to raise awareness and to help her children who have all inherited the condition, giving them a much better life than she has had (so far). She writes about all of this as well as all that she is learning about Chronic illness in general, and all that goes with the losses, grief, abuse and other life challenges that accompany these kinds of journeys.
Jennifer has been using smartCRUTCH for nearly 2 years and believes that are a game-changing product for the chronic illness community, so she is going to help us spread the news of smartCRUTCH to the world.
Here's what she says:
"I ditched conventional crutches for good reason, and use a SmartCrutch wherever I go, and it has been life changing for me! I am not paid by the inventors or producers or any of the companies who sell these crutches, to use, talk about, or advertise them in any way, shape or form. I talk about them a lot because I believe in them, and they are in most of my photos because they go everywhere with me. They have become somewhat of an extra limb for me. They protect me, and they give me the ability to walk a little most days.
I am also a little biased, and proud, that they are locally invented and produced, right here in South Africa!
I decorate them, I travel with them, I walk with elephants with them, and they have become a part of me!
So it is my honor and great pleasure to announce that I am now partnering with them to help get word out there, to show them off, to recommend them, and to help anyone with questions on how to get them, how to use them, how to decorate them and how to make the most of them."
You can read Jennifer's full blog here:
My Smart Crutch Crush
You can find out more about Jennifer's posts, blogs and books here:
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
The Mighty
Amazon Books
Goodreads
Life Blog
EDS Blog
My second purchase of the rubber tips. Well made, durable and fit my existing poles.
Finally poles for someone taller. These things are great, super sturdy with grips that fit my hands.
I love my new foldable walking poles. They are so convenient to use when out hiking. Recently brought them with me to the Berkshires; they made trekking through the snow so easy!
It's really made my recovery easier (I broke my ankle) and I'm sure it will be useful for other mobility issues I have.
Don't get me wrong they're useful. They help the crutches stand up and be less likely to tip. But honestly thats all the praise I can give them. The main issue I have is that the to top magnets piece are not long enough to extend past the crutch cuff. This results in the magnets not being able to fully make contact SIGNIFICANTLY reducing their ability to stick together. The advertisements are more tame here on smart crutchs than geckos own site but you cannot carry one and support the other because without the magnets making that full contact they aren't strong enough to support the weight. Additionally (not smart crutches fault) the wrist straps gecko sells are not long enough to reach your wrists even on the smallest forearm setting, which I use. I use them every day, but I wish they were better.