Whatever It Takes

As an occupational therapist who has worked in people’s home over the last 7 years, I found this book not only entertaining but also immensely helpful! Barbara’s attitude, quick VIDEOS, simple and creative solutions and practical play-by-plays of how she maximizes the quality and participation in her life (that also happens to include living with MS). I think this is a great tool for especially OTs in home health, students, new grads and even is a wonderful teach tool because of how many real life scenarios Barbara shares (that are often addressed by especially home health OTs). I learned and laughed and am so grateful I discovered this book!

This is an informative book that everyone must read, especially occupational therapists! In this wonderful resource, Barbara shares how she overcomes many of the barriers that she faces as she lives with Multiple Sclerosis by using creative solutions to maximize her independence. She shares how she uses voice controls, commercially available adaptive devices, a homemade sandwich gripper, and even zip ties to adapt to the demands of everyday life and carry out her activities of daily living. Barbara’s unique perspective, fun sense of humor, determination, and positive attitude are evident throughout the book. This valuable resource includes videos, photographs, and detailed descriptions of Barbara’s experiences using home modifications. I have no doubt that this book will inspire students and practicing therapists to think creatively so that they can help their clients who have similar struggles.

Barbara’s ingenuity for making assistive devices out of normal, everyday objects is nothing I have ever seen in my 15 years in rehabilitation nursing. This will be vital for individuals and families that don’t have the means to buy expensive products. I am confident that after reading this book, many people will have a more independent life.

What a find! I am a retired Geriatric Care Manager. My job was to find solutions to help my clients live as independently as possible and for them to have the best quality of life that they choose to have. I wish that I had known about this book earlier. It is full of resources I never could have imagined, solutions created by someone living with challenges.

I have worked for Barbara for five years. When she thought about writing this book I encouraged her because I had worked for people who could really have benefited from Barbara‘s solutions. I had no idea that I would be using one of Barbara‘s ideas to help my own mother and father when my father was on hospice. When I arrived home, my mother was searching for material and thinking of sewing something to make my father more comfortable. In two minutes, I talked my niece out of one of her socks and with some scissors, I made an arm sleeve that made my dad much more comfortable and relieved my mothers stress. Everyone who works for Barbara has been helping taking pictures and recording video to help this book! I took the best picture of Winston and it made the back cover!! I was the model in the Dressing Aid video! Barbara’s solutions do help her be Independent and Barbara’s solutions also help us help her.