I Never Knew My Love of Claw Games Would Help With Chronic Illness

I was always that kid that was obsessed with playing the game at the arcade where you align a metallic claw with a prize in hopes of picking it up. For some reason, I was a pro and won more times than any of my friends. I never knew this fascination and hidden talent would one day come in handy.

About a year ago, I had hip surgery. Due to the inevitable lack of mobility, one of the items my doctor recommended was an extendable grabber. This was a lifesaver and allowed for some independence while I was recovering. It was a game for me to see what I could pick up, at what distance, at the most difficult angle. But when I recovered enough, I stored it away with all of my other recovery items. It lived next to my crutches and shower chair for almost a year.

That was until I pulled a muscle in my back and was having a hard time picking up around the house. My socks, specifically, began piling up around my room, driving me up a wall. The grabber jumped into my mind and I immediately went to the closet to get it. It was one of those “why didn’t I think of this sooner?” moments.

Now it lives next to my bed and has made such a difference. When I drop something off my bed, I don’t have to torque my back to pick it up. Cleaning up has become a possibility because there’s no need to bend over. So there are no more socks littering my floor and I can breathe a sigh of relief.

This is something I never would have thought about getting had it not been for my hip surgery. I know many others have already found the magic of having one of these devices. But if you’re like me and had never considered using a grabber for everyday use, I would highly recommend getting one for yourself.