WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT

 "...Spina bifida had many tentacles but the ones that held tight and wreaked havoc on my life physically and emotionally was the neurogenic congenital bladder and bowel which translated to urinary and bowel incontinence. Incontinence was the bane of my existence.

I am currently a double below knee amputee and use a wheelchair for mobility. I only use one prosthetic device for transfer to toilets, etc. A bidet with AI could be transformational in my life. I have limited sensation below my waist and as a result have had multiple decubitus wounds that would have benefitted greatly from a bidet with AI to ensure cleansing actually took place...

... The bidet with AI has the potential to do so many things, such as, but not limited to restoring a sense of dignity and personal autonomy to people who have so little of both. The bidet with AI will go a long way in helping people with disabilities physically by ensuring when they transfer from the toilet, they’re clean of any residue on their bodies eliminating the possibility of creating wounds and the embarrassment of smelling. 

 – R.O. 

 "I am a U.S. Air Force Veteran (81 – 85) who suffered burst fractures of my L2 during my active-duty service.  I had two back surgeries while in the military to include a fusion from L1 to L3.  About 7 months after leaving the service, I had a 3rd surgery to add to the fusion from L3 to L5.  I also acquired the condition of arachnoiditis prior to the 3rd surgery due to a myelogram dye.  I am an incomplete paraplegic.  Fast forward to 2019, I would suffer another traumatic spinal cord injury with fractures to T11/T12 requiring rod placement from T9 to L4.  I am lucky to still be an incomplete para but with time, age, and the disability, the ability to maintain independence is slowly disappearing.  Any innovations, especially concerning private issues such as toileting, which are very different between men and women, at least in one aspect of toileting, would be appreciated. 

Bending and leaning on the toilet can be painful for me, and while recovering from 4 major back surgeries and breast cancer surgery, my ability to reach beneath myself was extremely limited. To clean and dry myself, I was given a “wand” with toilet paper tucked into it or my partner helped me.  I currently use a bidet attachment at home to help with my issues.  This attachment sprays cold water from one central location in just one area. The AI Bidet would be a big improvement over what I’m currently using. It could spray whatever areas need to be cleaned without me bending or leaning, would use warm water versus cold, and would provide dry air to eliminate wiping to assist with better hygiene. 

During my years of employment [and various leadership roles with veterans and disability advocacy organizations], I have advocated for veterans with spinal cord injury, MS and ALS, amputees, and TBI and health related issues for women veterans.  The AI Bidet would be beneficial to many individuals who have arm and hand control issues, who have difficulty bending, cannot care for themselves at all, or who may be suffering from wounds to their backsides.  It could help maintain good skin care and avoid infections, especially for women.  It could also help persons who are aging with a disability to stay healthy and as independent as possible."

D.F.