Hi all --

My hubby is a double amputee and in a wheelchair. We added a bathroom to our 70s-era home to accommodate him, but despite getting an ADA-recommended toilet, the seat keeps breaking. He has trouble lifting himself sometimes -- he's lost a lot of muscle strength in his arms -- and keeps breaking the hinges. We've tried soft seats, molded wood, plastic and extra-sturdy hinges, but they all break within a few days (if not a few hours).

Our previous home had a late-80s toilet and he never had any of these problems.

Any suggestions for a toilet seat that won't break at the hinges? Please don't suggest replacing the toilet -- that's not something we can do on our own, and between the cost of a new toilet and a plumber to install it, we're talking several hundred dollars. This one is ADA-recommended and is supposed to work well for handicapped folks.

Try giving us the make and model of the toilet.

Different toilets require different seat styles.

You tell us nothing that we can base a valid suggestion upon.

Hopefully you have installed brackets. If it is a matter of transfering from a wheel chair or to a wheel chair - there are transfer devices designed for this.

You also provided no dimensions for the toileting location. A scaled floor plan would be helpful.

You'd also need to provide more information regarding the strengths and limitations of the person (can stand/support or not...etc.). A double amputee doesn't tell us ANYTHING - could be both arms, both legs, an arm an a leg same side, opposing arm and leg, etc. nor where the amputation was, (before or after knee or elbow for example - usefullness of the stump, etc.). You leave us to guess.

Your best, personalized, ideal advice would be an in-home Physical Therapist Consult - by one who is familiar with this person's abilities. PTs tend to have dozens if not hundreds of catalogs, resources, etc. on hand (as just about everyone gets them on a mailing list).

Just for drill -- if we could afford a physical therapist to come to our home for an individual consult, do you think I'd be posting on here?

You may have meant to be helpful, but came off as bossy, rude and judgmental. If this is the typical response on a Bob Vila board, I'd just as soon have nothing to do with it.

except for the highlighted lead, the post itself won't display.

Did catch some claim about lack of funds. Even if your husband is on medicaid or medicare - he's entitled to an in-home PT evaluation every six months by either an actual Physical Therapist or an RN, it is up to you two to INSIST on your rights to have a qualified PT and not allow them to pass off an RN evaluation for this.

Finally, it costs NOTHING to contact your local community hospital PT department and ask to visit to REVIEW their free (they get tons of these unsolicited constantly) catalogue collection.

Most PTs and their assistants will happily even pre-mark a few items they think might work for you if you deal with them NICELY.

Also there are loads of resources (read: FREE or LOW COST), you have only to seek them out.

Attitude is EVERYTHING - you'll attract more assistance being pleasant than being sarcastic or nasty.

If you supplied the needed information (MAKE, MODEL, SIZE, and limitation/strength info) requested to assist you in your search - it isn't available to read presently. Suggest you re-post that info IF you REALLY want HELP locating a seat and TRANSFER BOARD which will work.