Life is Good

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)
We'd give 10 stars if we could

Pros:
Quality cotton wear that lasts a long long time
Soft materials such as the pajama and Good Tech lines
Positive messages that make people smile

Cons:
There just isn't enough money out there to buy it all


Review:
This clothing company started out as a brother-team in a van on a music and festival tour of New England and has grown into a country-wide link of stores that sell millions in sales and give back generously in return. But this isn't about the fabulous company that the Jacobs' brothers produced, it's about their tried and tested product they've outfitted us with.

All biases aside, after wearing LIG clothing for over three years, and mind you we beat our equipment and clothing up as hard as we can, I haven't seen a rip, a hole, or a disintegrated item yet. From hats to yoga pants, sweatshirts to t-shirts, even dog leashes and duffel bags we take on every trip (and you know we travel monthly), we have tried almost every item in this warehouse and can't complain about a one. And that's a lot to say about luggage; the handlers usually take care of that. But while I've gone through two suitcases and am on a third, Craig's still using his double-lined duffel bag complete with it's own dirty-clothes compartment.

The variety that's offered from LIG outweighs a whole department store. I've come quite accustomed to the fuzzy sock line of thick plush foot wear that makes me smile just getting it out of the drawer. Craig's even more fond of the golf line, including his soft Good Tech golf shirt and windbreaker. He's even been known to give his speeches in the Good Tech line they look so nice.

In addition to the standard of quality Life is Good has, the message portrayed is just as noble. Take for example the "HALF FULL" shirt. Thick blue cotton with a white outlined picture of a half full beer pint on the front.

Or take any of their other messages to heart:

• "Van Go" depicts a VW bus with a guy (we happen to know this stick figure's name is Jake) and his dog hanging out of it with all sorts of fun things like bikes and surfboards and outdoor fun in there somewhere. Insert new meaning to art.
• "Traffic Jam" depicts a convertible with Jake and his dog and music blaring out from it. Insert new meaning to road rage.
• "Think Outside the Box" has an outlined picture of a television.
• The "Life is Good" option offers a variety of pictures from Jake at the BBQ to Jake running with a surfboard.

On much of their clothing is a secondary label on the side somewhere that says, "Do what you like, Like what you do." This motto seems to be trickling from the company's top to bottom.

I think I've made my point. Spread good vibes, right? What better to send a message of positivity in quality clothing that feels good?

Frog Legs

Craig Kennedy

Rating: ***** 5/5 stars

Pros:
Comfortable ride
Don’t have to worry about cracks, bumps, and small threshold changes
Great on rough terrain
Takes 75% of the vibration out of a wheelchair frame
Fits any wheelchair

Cons:
Soft bushings are not good in the snow

Review:
After three sets of Frog Legs on three different wheelchairs, I am convinced that this is one of the best inventions yet for wheelchairs users. If you are an active wheelchair user, these wheels are especially handy as they roll over bumps, roots, cracks, and all kinds of other obstacles when you are out rolling around.

The best thing about Frog Legs is how easily they roll over just about any terrain. These specialized castors were originally created to help absorb shock and vibrations carried through the frame of a wheelchair, which can result is neck and back pain. Being a very active outdoor enthusiast, I am often off-road with my chair. I also like to move fast when I am out rolling around and often had problems with uneven surfaces, such as breaks in the sidewalk. The Frog Legs pretty much eliminated these problems for me and let me move around much easier.

Another plus about Frog Legs is how easy they make it to push a chair. Not only is it easier for an independent wheelchair user to push over uneven surfaces, it makes it much easier for aides or caregivers to push someone in a wheelchair. Instead of having to stop to lift the front of the chair over an obstacle, the Frog Legs allow you to push right over it.

The other great thing about these castors is how easy they are to get for your wheelchair. They are available through most rehabilitation hospitals when you are ordering your chair. They are a little bit more expensive than the standard castors, but should be covered by most insurance policies.

On the down side, I could only find one problem with Frog Legs. I live in the mountains in Colorado where we get a lot of snow. When I got my first set, I noticed that the bushings in the Frog Legs were a little too soft and that the wheels would sink into the snow when I was pushing around. This was the only problem I could find with this product and later learned that a stiffer bushing can be installed to remedy this problem.

Overall, I am big fan of Frog Legs Castors and would recommend them to anyone using a wheelchair. If you can get a letter of medical necessity from your physical therapist, you should have no problem getting a set for yourself!