A pensioner has gone viral with a nifty invention he created to help people with limited mobility put on clothes.
Bob Scott, 76 who suffers with Parkinson’s, came up with the idea of ‘Bob’s Flunkey’ when he pulled a muscle while pushing his friend’s wheelchair.
The Flunkey’, involves him tying a piece of string to a bulldog clip which is then clamped to a door so he can put the clothing on at his height.
It means he doesn’t have to raise his injured arm above shoulder level and can help anyone in pain or suffers from limited mobility or disease.
Bob was so pleased with the device he demonstrated how it works in a video which has been viewed more than 70,000 times online.
He said: “The Flunkey is just a simple idea that will help anyone with a weak arm to get dressed.
“It is cheap, does not need batteries and is available for right and left handed people.
“I use it every day, sometimes two or three times a day but it would be so fantastic to see the idea helping people in and way.
“I am delighted, gobsmacked and a little discombobulated.”
Bob, who has never used social media before, said that he just wanted to create something simple and cheap that could help people, like himself, who suffer with basic tasks.
And, with the help of his companion Janette Higgins, he was able to share it on social media.
Janette provides a companionship service to elderly people provides assistance to anyone needing help with independent living.
“Bob is delighted that his idea but he finds it difficult to use the word invention,” she said.”
“Now with Parkinson’s disease it has become necessary as the fingers and arms don’t want to respond to the brains instructions and finding the armhole is often very frustrating, but not now with his rather skinny Flunkey.
“But he can’t quite believe how many people it has reached.”
Parkinson’s disease is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system.
The disease causes rigidity, slowness of movement and even difficulty with walking.
Janette said that despite Bob not being able to comprehend how far and how quickly his idea spread to so many people, he is touched that he so many people have seen his idea.
“He always talked enthusiastically about Bob’s Flunkey to people he thought it might serve and was happy even if only one person used it, so he is over the moon to learn of the compliments so many people are taking the trouble to register,” she added.
“I was intrigued by his description of it and I knew I had to help him share it out when he demonstrated it.
“We were both of the same opinion that if it helps one other person it should be out there on the web but not expecting such a huge response
“He is over the moon to learn of the compliments so many people are taking the trouble to register.
“All he wants is to help people in one way or another and with this simple trick, he has certainly been able to do that.”
Katie Goates, professional engagement manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Although it is made up of a range of different symptoms, Parkinson’s is often characterised by movement issues, such as slowness of movement, rigidity and tremor – which can make everyday tasks, such as dressing, much more difficult.
“It’s wonderful to see a person with Parkinson’s overcome problems caused by the condition with ingenuity and positivity, like Bob has. Bob has created a simple but effective tool that could help people with Parkinson’s – and other people who have reduced mobility – overcome their symptoms and maintain their independence for longer.
“We would be happy to help Bob if he’s interested in taking his idea further and it would be interesting to see how it compares to other tools already on the market after it’s put through rigorous testing by people with Parkinson’s.”
