Just so you know, I’m going to permanently enter two items on the “Send Joel Stuff” page…
That’s a nylon sheath and 5-ply sock for a below-knee amputation, both in regular/medium size, which (for informational purposes only) are available at amputeestore.com as items shm and 1sp5rgmd, respectively.
This is not a big freaking campaign like last year’s gelsock bleg. That’s because I’d become dependent on the gelsocks but had let the few I had get totally shot, they’re expensive and fragile and not very long-lived, and the only way to be sure of a continuing cache was to stockpile a bunch. Thanks to your help there are now more than 30 and so I can rotate them enough that I haven’t had to retire one in all this time. This isn’t like that – I’m not currently in trouble on my stump sock supply but I’m getting there and need to replenish over time. Also new ones aren’t that expensive so I can get back to having a 2-week supply in good shape all by myself just by buying one a month for a year.
Having now found a supplier that will sell to me, I can fix the problem myself before it becomes a crisis. But if anybody wanted to help speed the process along, there it is. 🙂
Clarification for us of no experience . . .
Are the two items you list used over the gel sox or under them?
Under. The nylon sheath goes next to the skin. The stretchy stump sock goes over that and absorbs (a lot of) sweat. The gelsock fills the gap in my worn-out oversized prosthesis socket. And then there’s another thin sock over that to protect the gelsock from chafing and incidental damage.
I notice they offer a wool sock. Ever tried those? Maybe for winter wear?
For decades I wore wool socks exclusively, in fact still did when I first moved here. But they’re too thick to use with gel socks, really should be hand washed and when washed with our well water they get like sandpaper-lined cardboard. So not so much.
They wear like iron compared to the stretchy ones, though.
Regarding the water, have you considered a solar still to purify (and presumably soften) the local water?
Considered it? I’ve tried it. Doesn’t produce sufficient volume – I’d need to somehow build one the size of my solar panel rack.
Ah, well so much for that idea:-).