Abilitease

Abilitease Abilitease explores independence solutions through product innovation, product awareness and education & motivation from personal experience.

Exploring independence solutions for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

01/03/2026

For 2026 I’m focused on the following five things.

1. Be consistent
2. Be purposeful
3. Be forgiving
4. Be grateful
5. Be present

I struggle with all of the items I listed above. If I can start with addressing my health by eating nutritious food and exercising with those five items in mind then I think I can be successful in whatever I take on.

Adaptive fitness has grown to become more of an important part of my physical and mental health. Whether it’s the multi ropes, lifting weights or adapted chair exercises it really helps me stay independent and keep a positive outlook.

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button. Or you can visit the store directly at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he uses the multi ropes and grasping aids to perform an adaptive jump rope exercise.]

beconsistent bepurposeful beforgiving begrateful bepresent activitiesofdailyliving accessibility inclusivity adaptivetools universaldesign handdexterity spinalcordinjury spinalcordinjurysurvivor paralysis paralyzed quadriplegic tetraplegic wheelchairuser independence inclusion reels reelsofinstagram

We recently redesigned our leg spreader based on feedback that we received from users and clinicians. The leg spreader ...
12/19/2025

We recently redesigned our leg spreader based on feedback that we received from users and clinicians. The leg spreader is designed to help with self catheterization for individuals with lack of hand dexterity, sensation and/or mobility.

In this new version we focused on making the leg spreader more compact, discreet and functional. The spreader has adjustable arms with removable magnetic feet. It comes with a small mounted LED light and a mirror (available in 3 inch round or 4 x 6 inch) adhered with Velcro. The spreader can be broken down and folded to fit in a small pouch (included).

Check out this product and give us your thoughts!

The leg spreader is available now in our online shop. Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button or visiting us at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Picture Description: In these pictures Mark shares the newly redesigned leg spreader for self catheterization.]

accessibility inclusivity adaptivetools universaldesign handdexterity arthritis stroke musculardystrophy spinalcordinjury spinalcordinjurysurvivor paralysis paralyzed quadriplegic tetraplegic wheelchairuser independence inclusion wethe15 reels reelsofinstagram

12/19/2025

As a quadriplegic with limited hand function I struggle to hold a lot of different food items. One of my favorite things to eat are tacos. At times it can be difficult and messy to hold the tacos and get them to my mouth.

I decided to design and 3D print a taco holder that would support the taco so that I could put sauce on it. I also attached a cuff making it easier to hold and guide the taco to my mouth.

Yesterday after my sons’ Christmas performance we decided to get Taco Bell so I ordered some crunchy tacos. The holder worked well with the crunchy tacos, but it may be more difficult with soft tacos. Ideally I would have the wrapper or a cardboard insert so I’m not putting the taco directly on the plastic, but this was just a start to see if the concept worked.

What do you think about something like this holder to make taco eating easier? If you have hand dexterity challenges how do you mange eating tacos? Please let me know in the comments.

Please check out our adaptive product line at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Video Description: In this video Mark is demonstrating how he uses a 3D printed taco holder to eat his Taco Bell tacos.]

accessibility inclusivity adaptivetools universaldesign handdexterity arthritis stroke musculardystrophy spinalcordinjury spinalcordinjurysurvivor paralysis paralyzed quadriplegic tetraplegic wheelchairuser independence inclusion wethe15 reels reelsofinstagram

11/27/2025

For Black Friday we are selling our Adaptive Drink holder (Trumpet Style) for $25 from November 26th to the 30th. This offer is valid for the adaptive drink holder in black with a standard sized cuff while supplies last.

As a quadriplegic, one of the struggles I’ve experienced when ordering a beverage at a bar, restaurant, social event, etc. is being able to pick up and put down my drink at different heights without the worry of dropping it.

We designed an adaptive drink holder that attaches to your favorite beverage without having to pick it up or move it to secure it. This will allow you to pick up and release your glass/cup from high and low locations without having to compromise your hand dexterity and/or balance. Now you can move around comfortably and be social with your drink in hand!

The adaptive drink holders are available now in our online shop! Please check out our adaptive product line at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Video Description: In this video Mark is demonstrating how he uses the trumpet style adaptive drink holder to pick up a pint of beer easily at a table.]

10/30/2025

As a quadriplegic that uses a manual wheelchair my hands get really dirty. For years I used anti-bacterial soap that I know contained harmful chemicals.

I recently started using an all natural bar of soap from a company called Dr. Squatch and I love it. Unfortunately, when the bar of soap gets wet it becomes slippery and I can’t hold onto it due to my limited hand function.

I decided to design a soap tray in my CAD software and 3D print it in a way that I could attach it to the top of the sink by incorporating a suction cup. Even though my hands stay like fists I knew that getting them wet and running them over the bar of soap would allow me to get a good lather to wash my hands and face thoroughly.

I designed the tray to fit the square Dr. Squatch soap and made a hole in the bottom to attach a large suction cup. Once the tray was assembled I took it to my bathroom and attached the suction cup to the top of my porcelain sink by pushing down on the soap tray.

I would get my hands wet and run them across the top of the bar of soap, which provided enough soap to make a good lather. I could then wash my hands as well as my forearms and my face. And the soap has a great lasting scent!

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button or visiting us at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he designed a tray to hold a square bar of soap that uses a suction cup to attach it to the sink. With wet hands Mark rubs his hands over the bar of soap to create a lather and wash his face.]

10/18/2025

Today I left the grocery store with my son Andrew and noticed that two carts were parked in the access aisle next to my rampvan.

The access aisle next to an accessible spot is reserved for individuals that need additional space for their mobility equipment to exit their vehicle. In my situation the cart was blocking access to my folding ramp.

The cart return wasn’t right next to my rampvan and I could have just pushed the carts out of my way, but this was a great teaching moment. I want my boys to understand the importance of accessibility and how their actions can have adverse consequences. You may be taking independence away from an individual that doesn’t have someone nearby to help them.

I had to laugh though because the grocery store I shopped at and parked in front of was called Lazy Acres. 😆

[Video Description: In this video Mark comes out of the grocery store with his son and there are two carts parked in the access aisle. His son Andrew collects the carts and takes them back to the cart return.]

10/09/2025

Back in 2013 when I created my company Abilitease I came up with a design for a portable lift. I thought that not only would it be nice to get up from the floor, but it would be nice to get down on the floor. At the time my son Brandon was 1 and a half and I wanted to be able to get on the floor and play with him. We came up with a prototype that worked, but it was too expensive to continue the project.

Today companies like VOCIC Medical are leading the charge in innovation of electric chair lifts. I was fortunate to get an upgraded version of their heavy duty chair lift to try at my home.

My son Brandon was able to put the lift together in minutes without any tools. The chair had a nice padded seat and backrest with sturdy movable armrests and a strap for your waste.

We charged the controller for a few hours and then I was able to test it out. It was easy to transfer into the chair lift and take it all the way down to the floor and back up using the handheld remote.

The chair lift folded up nicely and with the wheels on the bottom Brandon was able to transport the lift to the corner of the house with little effort. Every individual that has a concern about possibly falling and needing assistance should have this chair lift available in their home.

Information about the heavy duty chair lift is available in the link in my bio. Please check out our adaptive product line at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he designed a portable lift over 10 years ago to get on and off of the floor. And then he shows how today he is using a new portable chair lift from VOCIC Medical that is affordable and has a lot of nice attributes.]

10/07/2025

I recently went to Hof’s Hut in Long Beach to have breakfast. I ordered some coffee and was excited to see that the mug handle was round and I was able to comfortably support the weight of the mug on my thumb.

Most regular coffee mugs and some of the adaptive ones don’t work for me with my limited hand function. The opening is either too small or way too big. I am not able to open my fingers to slide them into a handle. Also, the handles are sometimes flat which puts pressure on my thumb as I try to support the weight of the mug when picking it up.

Not all designs are universal and won’t work for every individual. I just wanted to share that I really liked the way it felt holding this mug from Hof’s Hut. And the coffee was pretty good too!

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button or visiting us at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he holds a coffee mug comfortably with limited hand function at Hof’s Hut restaurant in Long Beach.]

10/02/2025

As a quadriplegic that manages a colostomy, I find it difficult at times to cut the wafer that goes on my skin over my stoma. My stoma isn’t exactly round so when I put on a new wafer I need to cut the shape so that it will fit. I typically use medical scissors which can take a while and it’s uncomfortable leaning over to complete the job.

Recently I was out at a concert and had to change my ostomy wafer. I had forgotten to bring my scissors so I bit the wafer to remove some of the sticky skin barrier to create a larger opening to fit over my stoma. After doing that it gave me an idea for an adaptive tool.

I instantly thought of a cookie cutter and how you press down on the dough to get the desired shape. So I went into my CAD software and designed an adaptive cutter that was the exact shape of what I wanted to cut out of the wafer.

With the tool I press down on the middle area of the barrier against a hard surface like a glass table. After doing this for a minute or so I remove the plastic backing on the wafer and put the tool on it to continue cutting the shape. While holding the tool with the wafer stick to it I can gently push down on the cut portion and peel it off. The result is a nice even shape cut out of the wafer.

This may not work with every ostomy wafer or for the individual with the colostomy, but it saves me a bunch of time and discomfort.

Please check out our adaptive product line by clicking on the view shop button or visiting us at www.abiliteaseadaptive.com and support a disabled owned business. You can also access the link above in our bio.

[Video Description: In this video Mark shows how he designed a cutter that is the shape of his stoma. With the tool he presses down on the wafer which cuts out the section he normally cuts with the scissors, thus saving lots of time.]

Today is the 30th anniversary of my spinal cord injury (SCI). Wow that sounds really weird to say. Where did all of th...
08/21/2025

Today is the 30th anniversary of my spinal cord injury (SCI). Wow that sounds really weird to say. Where did all of that time go?

This year I struggled with my mental health. I never thought that would be me because living with a spinal cord injury teaches you how to deal with so many unpredictable and uncomfortable situations. You build a tougher skin to handle adversity. But this was something that I could not manage on my own and so I got help.

Once I accepted that my feelings were real and that it wasn’t anything to be ashamed of I was able to build myself back up again.

Living with a spinal cord injury isn’t easy and I’m one of the lucky ones. The SCI life will test you at every turn and knock you down just when you thought you were making progress. However, it’s this life that made me the person that I am today and achieved the life that I always wanted.

I’m at a place now where I can use the past 30 years of my journey to help improve the quality of life for others. I’m truly blessed to have my beautiful family and proud to be part of the disabled community. Life is good!

[Photo Description: In this photo Mark is shown with his wife Patricia and sons Brandon and Andrew at the beach.]

Today marks 29 years since I had my spinal cord injury. I typically treat today like any other day, but managing and thr...
08/21/2024

Today marks 29 years since I had my spinal cord injury. I typically treat today like any other day, but managing and thriving at life with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is something to celebrate.

I’ve learned a lot along this journey and I wanted to share some of these things with you.

1. Having the right attitude is key. With a devastating spinal cord injury it’s easy to lose hope. But if you can set goals and achieve those goals the endless possibilities become more clear.

2. Take time to grieve your old self. I regret getting back on the horse too quickly. Now I try to take time when possible to feel sad and address feelings of anger and despair.

3. Life isn’t fair. Everyone struggles in life. The sooner you stop comparing your situation to someone else’s and blaming the world you can move forward.

4. Resilience is an attractive quality. For those individuals with a physical disability that are dating, if you can navigate the world with your mobility device with a smile on your face people will be drawn to you.

5. I’m not waiting on a cure for SCI. Go to rehab, but live your life! Curing some of the secondary SCI conditions would be awesome, but I’ve learned to live sitting down and I’m happy with that.

6. Take care of your body. Eat nutritious food, exercise, move around, stretch, rest when possible, go to your doctor’s appointments, etc.

7. Help others. Whether it’s sharing my life experiences, listening to someone in need or designing assistive devices, it’s now an important part of my life journey.

8. Family is everything. I don’t know what I would do without my family. They support me in what I do and I enjoy experiencing life’s ups and downs with them.

9. Love yourself. You may not like your body or your situation right now, but you are still here for a reason. You have the ability to have the life you always dreamed about. You are badass!

[Photo Description: In this photo Mark is shown with his wife Patricia and sons Brandon and Andrew in a hotel lobby.]

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