A time for change, as disability tools designed for all ages become more stylish and inclusive.
by Katrina Ffiske.
Miranda Thomas and Sophie Dowling are determined to make getting old easier and fun. Together they source everyday products that are both practical and stylish and sell them via their website, www.grannygetsagrip.com. I went to meet Miranda, based near Tisbury, to hear the story behind their inspirational company.
“Why do we have to put up with ugly objects in our houses when we get old?” Miranda asked while showing me round the warehouse. We are surrounded by shelves full of well-designed and incredibly practical everyday aids. There are brightly coloured booster cushions, easy to carry from room to room and a stylish addition to any sofa. For gardening lovers there are easy-grip trowels and forks. The Granny Gets a Grip zip pulls made from colourful ribbon would instantly jazz up a coat.
The inspiration for the business came after Sophie and Miranda saw their mothers frustrated in old age. “Our mothers were great friends, so we have been too since we were small,” Miranda said. “Sadly, both suffered as they aged. We were horrified about how little there was out there to help them and anything we did find was clinical and ugly. ‘I don’t want that thing in my house,’ my mother told me as I drilled holes for a much-needed white plastic, handrail. The large, ugly, plastic feet I had to put under her favourite armchair, to help her get out of it with ease, were also banished! So many pieces of useful equipment we bought for our respective mums were dumped in a dusty corner while they battled on in pain.”

Inspiration strikes
Sophie was exasperated more recently when her father became ill, and the same products started creeping into the house. “I had an enthusiastic call early one morning,” Miranda said. “It was Sophie saying she had a business idea – could I come and see her? Intrigued, I was with her by lunchtime and by the end of the day Granny Gets a Grip had been born.”
At 58, both Miranda, a former physics teacher from Shaftesbury School and Sophie, a website designer, realise that old age is around the corner, and are determined to put their experience to good use. “The older generation get forgotten and we want to change that,” Miranda said. “We’re all at fault of sitting back and just hoping life will be OK when we get old, and yes, we may struggle, but there are so many products out there that can make our lives easier. We like to think of ourselves as the curators of useful things. When someone is in pain, or they are caring for a relative, you don’t have time to look for things. Sometimes you don’t even know what you are looking for. We do all the research for you.”
What would Sophie’s and Miranda’s mothers have thought of Granny Gets a Grip? “We often think of them, and I can hear my mother commenting from above. It makes me sad to think that we could have made their lives easier. I like to think that my mother would have welcomed our oak handrails with chrome brackets, locally created in Tisbury, and stylish bamboo furniture raisers!”
Before leaving I do a little shopping for myself: a pair of Coverspecs for driving, and a pelvic wedge cushion for that uncomfortable chair in my office. I really do highly recommend a shopping trip!