In 1992 the United Nations started the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. An observance day that gives us the opportunity worldwide to reflect and raise awareness of public health and ethical issues surrounding disabilities. On the 3rd of December, the world will come together to support this cause.

In the UK alone, 13.9 million people have a form of disability which equates to 22% of the UK population. In support of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have hand-selected some Tenura products that are of great value to those with a disability, and we are offering a 10% discount code you can redeem on these items.

An International Picture of People with Disabilities

Over 1 billion people worldwide have a disability, which is roughly 15% of the world's population.

In the UK, many of us have access to fantastic healthcare systems such as the NHS, but take a moment to think of the struggles a disability can have on a person in the developing world. We need to make sure that everyone has access to the help and healthcare they need.

Types of Disabilities and the Community

Another interesting point regarding disabilities is that there are many different types, with some affecting your cognitive behaviour, mental wellbeing or physical form.

Body dysmorphia has had substantial coverage in the news due to social media being a massive influence on our younger generation-this condition is a mental disability but can take a very physical form too. Our middle-aged population are currently feeling the effects of a high-calorie diet, which leads to many health implications. People in their later stages of life are often living with conditions such as dementia and heart disease. Adapting to a disability you weren't born with can be hard to overcome, taking serious will-power and a robust support system.

Disabilities are everywhere in life and can affect any age, which is why it is essential to be mindful and supportive. So join us in raising awareness this International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Many things are connecting this community of people, and it's beyond any one condition. As many of us are affected by disabilities daily, we may not have a disability ourselves, but perhaps a family member, friend, or work colleague might. It is also a day to reflect on the hard work young carers in our community complete daily, doing their best to support their parents, it's almost inconceivable what they go through without any recognition.

We hear in the news, now, more than ever, that a disability is not always visible, which is why we should treat everyone with respect.

Education and the Disabled – Employment and the Disabled

The education system in England is one of the best in the world, we lookout for early signs of learning disabilities such as dyslexia (problems with reading, spelling and other language processing skills), dyspraxia (movement and coordination, language and speech) and ADHD (issues with paying attention, controlling behaviour and hyperactivity).

Education could be affected by a disability which later down the line could affect employability. Therefore, we must learn more about disabilities and adapt our schooling system to be as inclusive as possible.

Tenura Products can be Helpful to Those living with a Disability.

Visual Aids for the Disabled – Tenura Non-Slip Mats

Tenura's silicone range comes in three bright colours and can be helpful visual aids for the disabled.

Red can signal heat or danger, so by placing a Tenura red non-slip mat in the kitchen, it can indicate that objects placed on its surface may be hot. By having that signal, a person can avoid touching the pan and prevent burns or other injuries. Of course, for a disabled person, an accident like a burn can affect their world differently. One disabled person may be unable to compute what's happened while another may not have felt the heat at all, and the burn goes untreated. There are many disabilities and many ways to help, with one being visual aids. This example demonstrates why it's super important to have visual aids and other disability aids around the home.

Tenura silicone non-slip mats are available in three bright colours-red, blue and yellow.

Bathing Aids – Tenura Non-Slip Bath Stickers

Dip your toe in the water of Tenura products with our most popular aid, Tenura non-slip bath stickers. Baths are notoriously slippery. To avoid injury, you can apply Tenura bath stickers. They help build confidence, and positively promote personal hygiene as the idea of a bath or shower is no longer as daunting knowing there's a bathing aid to help.

 

Bespoke Aids to Help in any Situation – Tenura Silicone Grip Strips and Grip Rolls

You can claim your 10% discount code off Tenura grip strips and rolls. You can create bespoke household aids as we see many customer wrapping strips of the grip roll around handles to make them easier and more comfortable to hold.

A disability often helped by Tenura grip roll is arthritis or other hand mobility impairment due to their decreased dexterity.

Tenura Jar and Bottle Openers

We all struggle to open jars and bottles. However, there is a solution, Tenura jar and bottle openers. Using these gadgets puts less strain on muscles and joints, which is vital for those living with conditions such as arthritis or other such hand deformity. This simple cooking aid can help to make one of the small daily tasks easier for a disabled person.

Tenura Non-Slip Fabric

Another adaptable aid is the Tenura non-slip fabric which can be cut down to size and fitted to the area you want to add non-slip qualities. Our customers have lined bookshelves and cupboards with Tenura non-slip fabric as it protects the surface and the objects that reside on it.

The Future of Disabilities

In recent years, we have come so far with the way we can diagnose, treat and care for those with disabilities, but we still have not reached the pinnacle. As science experiments continue, and so does the hard work of the care keyworkers, we can all help to achieve and understand better than we have before.

Don't forget to claim your 10% discount code, IDPD20 at checkout.

There is so much to say on the topic of disabilities, and we can't cover it all in one blog. But you can join the conversation over on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

To help advocate for World Arthritis Day 2020 (12^th of October), we thought it would be a great idea to answer some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding arthritis. We also have a 10% discount code you can use when buying Tenura products through our website.

Can Arthritis be Cured? / Can Arthritis be Treated?

Currently, a cure is not known for arthritis. However, there are many treatments available that can decelerate and help minimise the pain and other symptoms surrounding arthritis. If you believe you or someone you know has arthritis, seek a doctor’s advice immediately.

To treat arthritis, you can use prescribed medication. There are some lifestyle changes you can make too, such as spending more time in the sun, as Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and allows the autoimmune system to work correctly. Sunshine is especially helpful for those with rheumatoid arthritis which is often caused by an autoimmune response in the body. You can read more about this in our "Activities in the Sun for People with Arthritis" blog.

There are various operations doctors can perform depending on the type of arthritis and its severity, with the well-known being, joint replacement surgery. During this surgery, a prosthetic joint replaces an arthritic joint.

Can Arthritis Spread?

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently perceived to spread via a person’s blood vessels. If a person has rheumatoid arthritis their arthritic joint releases synovial cells contained in the synovial sac (the sac lubricate joints to avoid friction and wear), these cells travel around the body, affecting other joints-according to a study at the Kerckhoff-Clinic, Germany.

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis does not spread through the body. Due to this, a person with osteoarthritis may overcompensate, heavily using other joints to remain balanced and mobile. Overcom­pen­sating can cause those other joints to have excess stress put through them, which can be damaging, and this is why it is crucial to seek a doctor’s advice as soon as symptoms of arthritis occur.

What does Arthritis Look Like?

Arthritis can cause edema (swelling) in the affected areas, along with red-ish skin. In acute cases, joints are misshapen, so much so, the affected area takes on a new shape resulting in a crooked finger or toe. Knobbly abscesses can contribute to the malformed appearance, these abscesses are the body trying to protect itself, as the joints wear down, the body attempts to regrow the bone, and it doesn’t always grow in the shape it once was. Another indication of arthritis is small mucous cysts that develop on the hands.

What does Arthritis Feel Like?

Initially, it is said to feel achy, similar to a burning sensation which comes and goes depending on your activity level. In the later stages, the pain tends not to subside and remains in the affected joints. Around affected joints, the skin may be warm to the touch due to inflammation caused by irritated joints. Joints tend to become stiff and seize up, which is why the NHS recommends exercise.

How can you Participate in World Arthritis Day 2020?

We are glad you asked, there are many ways you can support World Arthritis Day. You can raise awareness and spread knowledge through your family, friends and social media. You can participate in local healthcare organisation’s charity events, appeals or fundraisers. Perhaps you could start a fundraiser yourself or participate in a fun run.

One of the ways Tenura will be supporting World Arthritis Day is through our marketing channels. We will be posting helpful information all month regarding Arthritis and Tenura arthritis aids. You can learn more about Tenura arthritis aids through our blog.

We are also offering a special 10% discount on Tenura products that can be excellent adaptive equipment for people with arthritis in their hands and fingers. Type WAD10 at checkout.

The Tenura products that you can claim the 10% discount on are as follows:

Tenura Non-Slip Coasters and Anti-Slip Mats

Non-slip coasters and anti-slip mats provide a place to rest things such as mugs and plates, the silicone grips onto the objects which keeps them held in position. A person with arthritis may find these anti-slip mats to be helpful, as you can use them in conjunction with the silicone jar and bottle openers to open containers with one hand, allowing you to use the less arthritic hand.

 

Tenura Silicone Jar and Bottle Opener

Jar and bottle openers enable you to open containers with ease. Tenura silicone has grip-enhancing properties that allow you to get a firm grasp of lids. For a person living with arthritis, these openers can be a great help as pain, swelling, or other flare-up symptoms can make objects a struggle to hold.

 Tenura Silicone Cutlery Grips

Arthritis can cause reduced movement in your hands and fingers that makes holding onto cutlery difficult. By sliding Tenura cutlery grips onto utensils, you no longer require the full motion used to clutch cutlery as the surface area is now greater.

 

Tenura Silicone Non-Slip Grip Strips and Rolls

Create bespoke arthritis aids using Tenura grip strips or rolls. You can cut Tenura silicone down to the size and shape required. Many of our customers who live with arthritis use the grip strips around handles of cupboards, pans, DIY and gardening tools, to mention a few. Tenura silicone is both a non-slip material and grip-enhancing, which is why it is perfect for use on handles, you can get a firm hold without the risk of things slipping out of your hands.

 

All the products listed above are made from Tenura silicone, which means they are:

• Antimicrobial (prevents bacteria harbouring)
• Washable by hand or dishwasher (withstanding temperatures up to 250°C)
• Non-toxic (safe to use in all environments)
• Latex-free

To stay up-to-date with all the events and activities during World Arthritis Day 2020, you can follow the hashtags:

• #WAD20
• #WorldA­rt­hri­tisDay
• #ArthritisDay
• #Arthri­tis­Da­y2020
• #Cure­Art­hri­tisWAD

And follow us on our social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and don’t forget to tag us in your World Arthritis Day activities and claim the 10% discount to use on our website with the code WAD10.