I have a neighbor who has a teenage daughter. She is a beautiful and talented young lady. Just a couple months ago, she was the star of the musical at the local high school. She is tall and very thin. In fact, she’s too thin. I found out recently that she is suffering from an eating disorder. It is tragic. And I found myself pondering about body image and the strange ways our brains will sometimes become deceived. For my neighbor, I can’t imagine how she looks in the mirror and sees anything other than skin and bones. Yet I know enough about eating disorders to know that she sees something entirely different. But what about those of us confined to life in a wheelchair? What about our body image? Do we struggle to look in the mirror and see reality? Or do we perhaps let our disability deceive our minds. I know that at times I fall into the trap of feeling like certain things are beyond my capabilities when the truth is I’m using my wheelchair as an excuse.

I just had to write about this new product I found for those of us with disabilities - especially those in wheelchairs. It’s called a walk-in bathtub.

From what I’ve read, they can be a little awkward to get in and out of. But compared to the risk of falling that comes with getting in and out of a regular bathtub, it’s worth a little awkwardness. Here’s a photo.

And best of all it’s a jetted tub to soothe away those aches and pains. The door is even made extra light so that is super easy to close tightly. When it comes to personal care for those in a wheelchair, this may be the ultimate pampering.