Written by Megan Smith, PT
Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, the innovative Pants Up Easy company is the brainchild of Douglas Pearson. Concerned about the challenges his close friend faced as a wheelchair user with toileting and dressing activities, Pearson was inspired to invent the Pants Up Easy self-lifting system.
This helpful system comes in three different models to help people in wheelchairs pull their pants down and then back up again when toileting and dressing. Because people with mobility impairments and those who use wheelchairs typically experience difficulty with daily living activities such as dressing and using the toilet, Pearson’s Pants Up Easy devices have been a wonderful boon for the disabled community.
As the only product of its kind on the market, this unique leverage system is easy to use, and everyone from children to seniors are reaping the benefits! The three models include a freestanding toilet model, a freestanding, foldable and portable wheelchair model, and a mounted and installed wall model. Sitting users place their arms out and over the ‘arms’ of the device, bring their arms down and into their sides, and pull up their pants with their hands.
As activities of daily living that people with mobility disabilities and wheelchair users can be greatly challenged by, using the bathroom and getting dressed no longer have to translate to extensive struggle, pain, and loss of dignity. The Pants Up Easy non-motorized lift system restores independence, privacy and a sense of self-reliance to help empower people with disabilities to perform self-care and personal hygiene without assistance.
Douglas Pearson originally created the Pants Up Easy device to help his close friend, Paul Degroot. Degroot developed paraplegia from a spinal cord injury which resulted in his use of a wheelchair. Pearson started to notice that Degroot spent extensive lengths of time in bathrooms, and one day, decided to ask him the reason for this.
Degroot explained he experienced difficulties and pain with dressing before and after using the toilet, often struggling for long periods of time just to get his pants back up. Pearson learned that Degroot additionally faced these same problems with getting dressed in his wheelchair, often having to resort to lying in bed and wiggling back and forth to pull his pants on.
Pearson wanted to help his friend, and quickly designed a self-lifting system that would enable users like Degroot to pull their pants up and down with ease. As the successful result of that effort, the Pants Up Easy devices have not only helped Degroot, but they are becoming wildly popular among the entire wheelchair user/disability community. As Degroot said, “they are a game changer” for people with a wide range of mobility impairments, providing a positive impact and making life easier for people with disabilities.
This ingenious, but simplistic, device comes in three different models. All three basically work the same way and highlight two strong arm-like appendages. The design allows the device to sit up against a wall, behind a wheelchair, or to be mounted directly to the wall, depending on the model. It can be placed behind the toilet or wheelchair, and its arms line up on each side of the sitting user.
The users then put their own arms out and over the arms of the device, and pulls their arms in toward the lower half of their body. This action lifts them enough from their chair or wheelchair to allow them to pull their pants up and down with their hands. They remove their arms from the device’s arms and it’s just that simple! No more frustrated struggling, wiggling around, nor added help required. Pants are back up in seconds, amazing users who are accustomed to planning on extensive bathroom or dressing activities.
Pants Up Easy offers versatility with its three different models, ensuring everyone has the right help for their own specific needs and lifestyle.
Freestanding Toilet Model - With its strong and durable self-supporting frame, the toilet model is easy to install, and does not require any mounting. Once assembled, it fits behind the toilet, with arms that swing away for easier transfer purposes.
Freestanding Wheelchair Model - Compatible with most power and manual wheelchairs, this model provides maximum weight support with its heavy-duty steel construction. It can be used anywhere, and folds down to a more compact size for easy portability and storage. Smooth rolling casters enhance movability, with the ability to lock in place for dependable, stationary use.
Wall Mount Model - Designed for more permanent applications, the wall mount model should be professionally installed. Its clean look features swing-away arms that move out of the way for other toilet users. Extra brackets can be purchased if required.
Wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments will LOVE the Pants Up Easy devices! Specifically designed to make life easier for the variety of people who use wheelchairs, this hands-free, self-lifting system is used by those with spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputations, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. Anyone with impaired mobility who has enough strength to transfer on and off a wheelchair, but requires assistance with dressing and toileting, will greatly benefit from Pants Up Easy.
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
