The Grabber?: Does anyone use The... - Anxiety and Depre...

Anxiety and Depression Support

90,939 members84,882 posts

The Grabber?

marheart profile image
15 Replies

Does anyone use The Grabber? It is a foldable pole to reach items in high places and pick up things that have dropped to the floor.

Never had a balance problem before the anxiety disorder. I'm tall so I could reach up high easier than bending over.

Saw one at 99 cent store but it was too flimsy to work. Amazon has them at various prices. Foldable would be helpful since I use a walker.

Written by
marheart profile image
marheart
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
15 Replies
JAYnLA profile image
JAYnLA

Hey Marheart - a friend had to use one during some back problems and I played with it a bit - they do work (and are kind of fun to use). With the dizziness though, head position may be an issue so when reaching up maybe try to use your eyes to look up more than craning your neck back? Maybe that will help.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to JAYnLA

Wonderful tips. Thank you so much for the support.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to JAYnLA

I swear I can relate to everything you write. :)

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne

Yes, I have had many but find the one that has a handle and as you squeeze it the legs do the same and pick up objects. Has a fairly large circumference and picks up readily. Do not like the magnetic ones unless you have a lot of metal to grab, like money. Mine has a large hook at the top that could hang on a walker and worked great. I still use it at least once a week when I drop things. If you drop money, the magnetic one is more efficient but it grabbed the walker as it is magnetice too and that irritated me. I have never seen a folkable one. I have one that I had to have that extends for long reaches but rarely used it, but it, too was study. I have a three leverl home and needed to have three for the floors as it is hard to carry up and down and they were cheaper at that time.

In case you ever need a cane, I love my ergonomic cane even though it does not hang. It is the best for the palm of the hand. I am a pianist and it helps my fingers and palm exercise in a comfortable manner. It looks almost like a saddle on the end, though people seem interested in its shape and curious fashion as it has this feature. Regular canes are not comfortable or stable enough for me. It helped me get through months after a paralysis. You have to get it for a specific hand, though. I keep it in my car at all times.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

Use a walker around the house. Lack of balance.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to marheart

Sorry, I was just adding those things we often need in our repertoire of movement in case you ever were to need one. Go glad you do not need one. Hooray!

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

Is your Grabber the Unger Grabber brand name? Saw it on internet. Don't know of anyone who uses a Grabber. Thought I invented a helper for us!

Whatever falls on the floor stays there until some one comes here and I ask them to pick up the lid, napkin, food storage container from kitchen cupboard, etc.

I would not take the Grabber outside when I go to Dr. appt. Considering one for use in the home.

Thank you for the run down on it's uses in reaching things up high and those down low.

Saw Grabber at the 99 cent store. That one sure did not work. Cheap is cheap.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to marheart

Grabber Tool,FitPlus Premium Reacher Tool 32" Plus 2 Year Warranty. the cheaper ones break immediately and you need a fork a side openign that the handle picks up anything. The cheaper ones only steal the money Mine has such an expansion I can pick up a folded blanket or a pillow as it has two huge arms that wrap around things, yet the arms at the tips can pick up a small object off the floore, like a lid.

BTW how did your morning go and could you open up the my voice.net? or use the deep breath or meditation.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

I woke up scared and startled as usual. Then sprayed Rescue Remedy under the tongue which calmed me down enough that I could breathe.

As usual there is no consistency in my days so I never know.

Was able to eat breakfast without shaking and pleading for help. Rest of day had it's good times and some sleeping on couch times.

On a report card scale I'd say it was a "C" day. Much better than some F - days I've experienced lately.

How Are You? is a common greeting when seeing someone. We don't really want to hear negativity. The interest question is asked. The obligated response is something like "fine".

I believe you asked me today from the goodness of your heart. Thank you for caring.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to marheart

I look at greeting as if it were a report card of the truth but you are right, no one wants to hear. But I do and care and want to know you ared moving ahead of had a back slide and then a why in either direction as that is how we learn about our body, don't you think. Taklking about eggs made me want to make deviled eggs today, probably due to it being Easter. Off to my boiling pot of water. ha.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

Haven't figured out how to get around that greeting question. Discussed with therapist. No answer there. It's so automatic most of us don't even realize we are on auto pilot saying "hi, how are you"

Tried "it's good to see you". That really didn't work.

Saying "fine" throws the obligation back to me to ask the question of how are you.

Life can get so complicated. Can't blame this problem on today's technology.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to marheart

It goes with the territory of your health and personal inventory. For years I have said, "Fair to midlin," an old fashioned term that fits my life response, but just last week I said great and noted there was a change. They ususllay ask me when I am rushing to get the bathroom and my first respones is really do not stop me, I have to pee.

Last week it happened and, unfortunatly I had a death in the family the day before took it very hard. An office neighbor asked me the standard question and I said my standard, only this time she asked me what it meant. First time in 10 years. First I started to explain it was an easy way not to lie to others as it covered not great and not discuss what negative things I might have just heard, but since I have known her for 10 years, I explained why I had said it that specific day.

It is not a bad question, as it really helps one use it as a barometer for an internal weather check. As I heal I am noting it more and more. You will too as you are already aware and in the present moment.

Just was on a webinar, listening to a really pompous man speak. I tried to listen to him for over an hour. You know the kind, who pontificates and says nothing. While the training earlier in the day, I was full of praise for the female responsible for the trainings. it sure will not be this speaker man I heard today about trauama, as he brags about his beach house in maui talking to trauma specialists. I would not be so bitter but he was a pompous bore and short on knowledge. Sorry, I regressed there, but he caused me trauma.

So that check on what is good in our life and what is not good at least keeps us honest with ourself. As long as you do not allow it to bring you down. Pretend or think of what was great that day and answer in response to that when asked how you are doing. "Fair to midline" does stop them mid walk, if you want them to stop asking. It makes me smile inside as I did not have to lie.

It can be a very difficult question, so that is why I discussed these nuances, so maybe it might help you laugh a little when the question comes up again. I believe that humor heals, even when in pain. It is the best therapy for me. "Try it you'll like it," as they say on commercials of years ago and also reminds me of another commercial that says the opposite, "give it to Mikey, he hates everything." Sorry, I think I am getting punchy as it approching the bewitching hour. Have a great morning tomorrow as it seemed you had done better today and do not forget to meditate as well. Try things and keep what works and add something new to see what is your programming for happiness. Sorry I was so long winded tonight. It is part of being alone too much.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

A therapist told me to always say something positive, even if it's far, far, far from the truth.

"I'm good. How are you?"

Guess it comes under the category of Fake It 'til you make it!

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne in reply to marheart

Well, your therapist knows what she thinks is best and allows you to change your thinking to positive. Each time you say a positive it changes your brain chemistry since we have so much negative in those neurons-- reeducating your mind to a more positive path. Just think of all that negative you might have heard growing up. I avoid toxic people. It seems to help even if I have to fake it out loud, my brain hears it, starting the movement to positive. Your therapist sounds like a Positive Psychology therapist. So glad for you to have a therapist who listens to you and guides to enhance positive thinking.

marheart profile image
marheart in reply to socratesanne

When we are suffering from anything, especially anxiety problems, it's so difficult to say the positive words knowing they are lies. Anxiety and Panic affect all parts of life.

Other health issues are shoved to the side so I won't be overwhelmed by the power of the Anxiety And deal with ill health. I know, all of it has to have attention. "Just sayin'"

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Anyone experience deteriorating health due to not leaving the house and/or sitting a lot?

Due to depression (and to an extent, anxiety) it's gotten really difficult to accomplish things...

Equal opportunity

Do you think someone with a mental illness should have the chance to be an elected official?

How to stop the Self mind games

i always have a feeling I know everything, i know what people are doing and thinking and that...

What to do when made feel worthless by own mother

Normally i dont open up about my feelings like this…. But in this group , even though im new here,...

Stuck

I want to work, I want to help people, but I cry at the drop of a hat. I try to care less, but I...