Eating Aids For SCI

Update: As of 6-13-2023 we have discontinued production and sales of the Panini Eatzii.

Eating Aids can improve independence for anyone who has experienced a Spinal Cord Injury which results in weakness of the upper extremities.  A C5, C6 or C7 injury will typically result in loss of strength of the hand muscles. In many cases universal cuffs and plate guards will be useful eating aids for SCI.

I recently came across a you tube video which describes how someone with a C5, C6, C7 spinal cord injury can use forks, knives and spoons without using a universal cuff or other eating aids for SCI.  The young man’s name is Mason Ellis.  In the video he states that he has a C5, C6, C7 injury.  He is an impressive and inspiring individual and I would recommend checking out his you tube channel for anyone who has a spinal cord injury, therapists, MDs or other interested individuals. To find the video Google Search under eating aids for SCI. It should be the only you tube video on the first page.

The video starts with Mason showing the universal cuff he was given in rehab which worked well until It got too dirty.  He tried various other universal cuffs which didn’t work as well.  Like many individuals he prefers not to use adaptive equipment if he can figure out how to accomplish tasks without them.  He is good at this!  To hold a fork he first pushes down on the end of the fork with his left arm to raise the handle up.  He then laces the fork in between his index and middle finger and on top of his thumb.  For additional information on holding utensils visit another one of our Blogs on this topic.  To use the fork to “stab” food he orients the fork vertically and then uses his other arm to push down on the handle of the fork.  Mason also described how he uses a knife.  He holds the knife in between his index and middle finger for this as well.  He then uses his other hand to push down for cutting.  In his recent video Mason states that he is currently in college.  He would be an exceptional addition to any field. In addition to this video on utensil use he has an extensive list of videos on his you tube channel.  Among the topics are transfers, driving and dressing.  He also has a video dedicated to tenodesis. Tenodesis uses wrist movement to create force in the finger flexors or extensors. Wrist flexion will create finger extension force and wrist extension will create finger flexion force. We are currently developing the Eatzii which will empower hands free eating of precut foods.

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