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1. IMG_5754.jpgTry different options. Before you place an order for a product contact your medical supply account manager to sample as many products as you can. Catheters are not a one-size-fits-all item. You need to find a product that works well with your anatomy, lifestyle, and level of ability.  

2. Learn what works best for your personal routine. I like to keep my supplies in a backpack on my wheelchair. If you are a power wheelchair user, try a stroller bag under your seat for storage, or a bag that can hang on an armrest. I choose clothing that is easy to get off and on.

3. Find a comfortable position. This will be personal choice based on your body. You need to be stable, and have access to your urethra. Try scooting your bottom to the front of the wheelchair. You might be able to prop your legs up or to the side of the toilet to get a better angle.

4. Many females use a mirror to help, and a flashlight can be useful. It is a trial and error process, but eventually you’ll find what works for you.

5. Be prepared for changes in your daily routine. It is vitally important that when voiding you keep everything clean. This is especially true during your menstrual cycle, and when you are intimate with a partner. Always void after intercourse to help reduce the risk of a UTI. For your monthly cycle, find a product that works for you. I found a diva cup works best for me. If something isn’t working, don’t keep doing it - find a new option. If you feel you have tried everything, consider reaching out to a peer. We can learn so much from one another. 
Hilary Muehlberger, Medical Supply Account Manager

Author

Hilary Muehlberger, Medical Supply Account Manager

Hilary thrives with a T12 spinal cord injury sustained in a car accident in 2015. She is a competitive wheelchair tennis player and was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 with her platform of “Achieving Independence through Adaptive Sports”. Her platform is about the importance of maintaining a strong body, mind, and soul through remaining active and being part of a community. She is also the Secretary for the Parks and Recreation Board in Greenwood, MO. As a member of the NuMotion team she returns the power of choice to her clients.