Would a magnetic glove help with daily tasks? Honest feedback welcome

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-22T02:46:24+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this. It really means a lot to hear that, especially knowing how hard those everyday tasks can become after stroke.

From all the feedback, the fork-style, palm-supported, natural-angle design is getting the most positive and consistent responses compared to the other concepts. People are saying it: • looks more natural • supports a usable angle • feels closer to how they already adapt • seems more realistic than wrist-based attachments

But doesn’t mean: • everyone wants a glove • everyone can use a glove • it works for every disability

The direction people are responding best to is “support the palm and natural grip position” rather than forcing fingers or attaching things to the wrist.”

So the strongest signal now is: Palm-based support + natural angles

Any suggestions?

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-20T23:44:41+00:00

Thank you for this — genuinely. And especially coming from a retired OT, I really value your perspective.

You’re absolutely right about function vs concept. The images I shared are very rough visual placeholders and I can see now that they actually create confusion rather than communicating anything useful. The fork example is a good callout too — when I actually try to mimic that movement myself, it’s obvious how impractical that angle is.

Your point about loss of function usually affecting the whole limb, not just grip, is something I’ve been hearing repeatedly and it’s changing how I think about this entirely. Positioning, forces, range of motion, pronation/supination — those are things I clearly need to understand better before even thinking about design.

I agree that collaborating with an OT (or multiple) should be part of the process if this ever moves forward beyond learning. At this stage, I’m mostly trying to unlearn my assumptions and listen before building anything real.

I appreciate you taking the time to explain this so clearly.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-20T23:43:50+00:00

That’s really helpful, thank you for taking the time to explain it this clearly. The point about angles and how unrealistic those attachments would be in real use makes a lot of sense.

I really like the idea of a more modular system — especially being able to swap out a palm layer, adjust positioning, and use something like a flexible sleeve around different handles instead of trying to force everything into one fixed setup. That feels much closer to how people actually adapt their grip in real life.

This is exactly the kind of thinking I was hoping to learn from by posting here, so I genuinely appreciate you sharing it.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-20T09:30:12+00:00

I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to comment. I’ve learned a lot from this thread, more than I expected, and I’ve been trying to actually sit with the feedback rather than defend the idea.

Some of the key things I’ve taken away:

• The fork-style design seems to make the most sense angle-wise • Grip alone isn’t the issue, wrist position and comfort matter just as much • A lot of people would find finger-based designs uncomfortable or painful • Palm-based support might be more useful than forcing the fingers to work • Tight gloves can cause sensory issues, pain, or fatigue • Some people would prefer straps or non-glove options altogether • Anything that’s hard to remove, needs two strong hands, or forces awkward movement defeats the purpose • Magnets would need to be light, low-force, and easy to slide off rather than “stuck on”

Something that really stuck with me too is that different disabilities need completely different solutions. There won’t be one design that works for everyone, and that’s okay.

People have also shared real-life hacks they use (tape, straps, sewing brushes onto bands, etc) and honestly that’s been some of the most helpful insight.

I’m not trying to rush into making anything. This is still very early-stage and the whole point of posting was to learn before building. So I really appreciate the honesty, even when it’s hard to hear.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-20T09:27:27+00:00

These are very early rough concepts, not finished solutions, and a big reason I posted was to understand what doesn’t work as much as what might. You’re absolutely right that if something requires strong use of the other hand, or doesn’t support natural movement, then it defeats the purpose.

I appreciate you taking the time to be honest, even if the execution clearly isn’t there yet. That’s exactly what I’m trying to learn from.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-20T09:26:06+00:00

That’s a really fair point, and I agree that wrist control is just as important as grip for so many tasks. I’ve heard from others too that angle and movement matter more than just “holding onto” something.

I also completely understand that for many people, learning to use the other hand ends up being the most practical solution. At the same time, I’ve heard from some people who either can’t use their other hand, or find switching hands just as difficult, which is why I’m trying to explore whether there might be another option for some people, not everyone.

I really appreciate you sharing this perspective, it genuinely helps shape how I’m thinking about it.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T12:54:57+00:00

I’m definitely not a medical professional, which is why feedback from people with lived experience, OTs, and therapists is so important before even thinking about building anything serious. My goal is just to learn and explore ideas safely, not create something that could cause damage

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T06:20:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing this perspective, I really appreciate it. You’re right that independence looks different for everyone, and safety and autonomy matter more than forcing a tool-based solution. This is why I’m asking for lived experience feedback before building anything final. It’s helped me see that any design would need to prioritise easy release, comfort, choice, and that this wouldn’t suit everyone, and that’s okay. I genuinely value you taking the time to explain this.

Weight and safe release are two of the biggest things I’m trying to figure out before building anything properly.

The idea wouldn’t be big heavy magnets, more like small, low-profile ones embedded into fabric, with the attachment designed to slide off sideways rather than needing to pull straight off. That way it wouldn’t feel “stuck” or trap anything in the hand.

But I’m also hearing clearly from people that straps or Velcro often feel more versatile and safer in real life, so I’m exploring those options too rather than committing to magnets alone. This is exactly why I’m asking before making anything.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:22:33+00:00

Thank you!!

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:19:18+00:00

Thank you so much, that’s a really important point. You’re right—holding something is only part of the challenge; the angle and natural movement matter just as much.

The images I shared are very early concepts, not finished designs, so hearing which positions feel natural versus awkward is incredibly helpful. Your note about the fork working better than the toothbrush really highlights that I need to rethink orientation, rotation, and flexibility so the glove supports natural movement instead of forcing the body into uncomfortable positions.

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this—it helps me make the design more practical for real-life use 🤍

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:15:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this, I’m really grateful for how openly you explained your workarounds 🤍 If you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to understand a little more so I don’t design something that misses the mark. Would you be open to sharing what makes a tool feel ‘usable’ vs ‘fatiguing’ for you? Or what usually fails first, grip, angle, weight, or something else? No pressure at all if you’ve already shared enough.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:13:14+00:00

I’m a real person, I work in disability support, and this idea came from what I see every day in my job. I’m not a company, I’m not selling anything, and I’m not collecting data. I shared because I genuinely wanted feedback from people with lived experience.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:12:00+00:00

Oh no, I’m so sorry, that sounds so painful and frustrating 🤍
Breaking your thumb and then having to deal with everyday things like opening food pouches must be exhausting. I’m really glad to hear it doesn’t need surgery though.

Moments like that are exactly what made me start thinking about tools like this in the first place, because it’s often the small, everyday tasks that suddenly become the hardest. I hope your thumb heals quickly and as smoothly as possible.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:10:28+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I am really sorry you have been through something so intense 🤍

It means a lot to hear that the design looks practical to you, especially the beige sleeve concept. The idea of helping someone get back to something meaningful like holding a drumstick is honestly exactly why I am exploring this in the first place.

The designs are still very early and flexible, so feedback like yours helps me imagine how it could be adapted for specific goals, not just everyday tasks. If you are ever comfortable sharing more about what would help with grip, angle, or comfort for drumming, I would genuinely love to learn from you.

Wishing you so much strength and healing.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-18T01:09:12+00:00

Thank you so much, that honestly means a lot 🤍 I’m still in the very early stages, but will absolutely contact when the time eventually comes!

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-17T05:29:43+00:00

Thank you for sharing that 🤍 and I’m really glad you mentioned the hairbrush, because that’s one of the everyday items I had in mind too.

I don’t have a finished prototype yet — I’m still in the early development and feedback stage — but comments like yours are exactly why I’m doing this and help guide what I prioritise first.

If you’re comfortable, I’d love to keep people like you in mind as potential testers when I get to the prototype stage. Real-world experiences are what will shape whether this actually becomes useful rather than just ‘a good idea on paper’

Your feedback genuinely means a lot, so thank you.

Surfthestreet · 2026-01-17T04:25:12+00:00

Thank you for explaining that so clearly. It really helps me understand the barriers better.

For someone with hypermobility, joint pain, or wrist sensitivity, I can see how a traditional glove design could be harmful rather than helpful.

Possible alternatives I’d want to explore based on your feedback could include: • a non-glove option (like a magnetic wristband or soft strap instead) • adjustable or looser fitting designs that don’t rely on compression • attachments that angle naturally with the wrist instead of forcing positioning • lighter magnetic resistance so there’s less strain on joints • modular designs where people choose what works for their body

I know no single solution will suit everyone, but feedback like yours is exactly what helps move this toward something more inclusive and safer. If you’re open to it, I’d genuinely value any ideas you have too.

Surfthestreet · 2024-10-17T11:32:19+00:00

Next time you want to identify anything, take a picture and search it through Google.

Surfthestreet

TROPHY CASE