Dining Utensils
Independence in Self-feeding
Most babies show an interest in self-feeding at around six to eight months by reaching out to grab food off their parents’ or older siblings’ plates. Babies may begin to insist on self-feeding around the age of one year old, which can of course, be a challenge for parents who have time constraints or would rather feed the child to avoid messes. This can contribute to a power struggle and battles over food and meal times, but the fact is children still need to learn and develop skills at self-feeding with the use of fingers, hands and/or eating utensils, which is essential for independent living. But what if an individual is unable to grip food or dining utensils due to disability, injury, illness or even age? Do such individuals then need to have someone else feed them? The answer is no. Some very innovative people, including those with disabilities, have invented special dining utensils that can establish independence in self-feeding.
One such inventor is company founder and former chef, Bob Bayton, who developed the Dining with Dignity Silverwear out of personal need after an automobile accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Dining with Dignity Silverware enables individuals with limited hand dexterity to eat independently and with dignity in public and at home. The rings on the silverware are easily adjustable to fit the thumb and index finger and works well regardless of hand size, finger strength, mobility or dexterity. The unobtrusive, simple design that incorporates conventional flatware reduces self-consciousness and restores self-sufficiency and independence. The Dining with Dignity Silverware is made of high-quality 10/18 stainless steel silverware and is dish-washer safe.
As mentioned above, the use of special dining utensils enable individuals with disabilities to self-feed and do so with dignity at restaurants, cafes, fast food places - just about anywhere - and even at home. The utensils are appropriately designed and sized to meet different needs and are extremely portable. Most of these utensils are commercially-available and can be purchased at special stores or ordered online, which allows for parents and caretakers of children who need to use these utensils to commence training at an early age on how to use them. The benefits of these dining utensils far outweigh the inconvenience of having to carry them around all the time and the need to have them washed at the eatery after using them.
Dining with Dignity Silverware demonstration (relevant content is from 0:00 to 0:38):
Demonstration of a range of special dining utensils for individuals with disabilities
(first half has low quality audio; relevant content is from 0:00 to 6:15)