The right wheelchair gloves can be the difference between easy, independent pushing and feeling like you are slogging through a marsh. Frustratingly, finding a pair that fits and works can be difficult. A great glove for a quad may impede a para.
Knowing this, Debbie Riggsby, a C6-7 quad, and her husband, Zane, bought Gloves for Life from the original owner in 2013. They have dedicated the last decade to developing gloves that help quadriplegics and others with limited dexterity push better. They sent me a pair of their gloves to try. As a C5-6 quad who doesn’t use gloves regularly, I found them very useful.
Gloves for Life’s gloves are made from durable yet soft suede material and a tacky rubber pad that covers the palm and heel of the hand. You secure the gloves with a hook and loop strap that wraps around the top side of the hand. The strap has a D-ring at the end that can be pulled with a thumb or teeth, allowing you to easily adjust the strap.
Gloves for Life customized the pair of gloves I received. The website has a handy sizing guide that makes it easy to figure out what size will work for you. My hand was right on the threshold between medium and large, so I ordered the large to have a bigger pushing surface. They made the strap one-half inch shorter to make sure it fit properly. It took a few tries to figure out the best way to get the gloves on and off by myself. Once I figured it out, the process became quick and easy.
I use power assist wheels and usually don’t wear gloves. Once I put the gloves on and started pushing, the difference was very noticeable. Pushing required much less effort, and even when I didn’t make good contact with the handrim, the wheel still propelled forward. Another benefit I noticed from wearing the gloves is that they helped when I had nerve pain in my hands. On bad pain days, I have more difficulty pushing, but the gloves seem to dampen the impact on my hands — and the pain.
On top of the pushing benefits, the gloves can be used as an adaptive cuff to hold items. For example, I put a fork through the thumb hole, similar to how one would use a universal cuff. It is not something I would do regularly, but if I forgot to bring my adaptive utensils with me, this would work in a pinch. I used the gloves to hold a pen, and while they won’t replace my adaptive writing splint, I can see the option coming in handy. The gloves also made it much easier to hold on to items like cups and to slide items across my desk.
Gloves for Life are a great option for quads looking for gloves that will help them push and live more independently. Gloves for Life are available in four sizes and 16 colors. Each pair of gloves is made to order, and can be customized for sizing and features. Gloves for Life gloves are available for $75 per pair, with discounts available for bulk orders. For more information, visit glovesforlife.com.
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$75 for 2 pieces of leather, 2 straps, and some rubber. What a cruel joke on the wheelchair user.
It is a bit expensive, but they are customizable, they seem to be quality made, and research has gone into making them for a specific purpose which allows them to fit in a specific way that isn’t like a regular glove. In many cases, insurance may cover the cost as they are an accessibility product. You can’t make them yourself for $75 (With paying a “living wage to employees, health insurance, SS, workman’s comp, liability insurance, overhead, materials, labor costs and time, delivery, then adding a profit for future revenue the cost of $75 isn’t unreasonable at all.)
Well there is a price pint everyone must feel comfortable with. Who knows? I prefer the all leather ADI quad glove from ChairLife.com
Gloves for Life are by far the best gloves that I’ve ever owned. Worth every last penny spent. These gloves, slightly customized for fit by an incredibly caring person, will last and are far superior to any gloves that I’ve ever purchased.
Brenda, the owner may have jacked the price up because he or she thinks insurance companies are going to pay…the truth is, many disabled on very limited incomes will be getting these out of their own pockets. Whomever should be a shamed of themselves. I, for one, am not buying someone a wheelchair.
I was given some in rehab after a shoulder replacement because my hands would slide on the sliding board. The therapist said they only came in one size which was way too big for me. I tied them together as tight as the strap could go and still get my hand in and still too big, but they definitely did help with grip.
They should let people know there’s an option to get them custom fit, which may help people like you. Sometimes PTs don’t know everything about the products they’re offering to people.
A great glove hack that i use to shrink my leather ADI gloves is when i first get them I submerge them in water for 12 hours then set them out to dry completing the process with throwing them in the dryer. Be sure to fix the Verco together and place them in a pillow case before placing them in the dryer. Once completely dry put them on and work them in. They will form to your hand. U can pick up a pair at ChairLife.com