chair. It has become progressively difficult for me to arise from the recliner with any modem of gentility. I found the answer in a catalogue—risers. Yes, just like you can buy risers that elevate your bed a good four inches, you can also purchase recliner chair risers. They have a groove down the center. Purchasing some and thinking how pleasant it would be to gracefully exit the chair, I placed them on the rungs. But, they would slip out of place and I often found myself perched at an angle, with even more difficulty getting out of the chair. Finally, in desperation, I went to Bud’s Hardware and demanded, “I want the stickiest, double-sided tape you have!” Never failing me, they brought back the Gorilla. Tipping the chair over, I followed the directions to clean the surface area with alcohol, applied the tape to the risers, then stuck them on the rungs. I could see that the front rungs were not level. Therefore, I placed the front risers just a little farther back where it was level. (No cross beam there at a different height.) Problem solved. I sat down with great satisfaction and extended the chair back and leg rest as far as they would go. Suddenly my legs were sticking straight up in the air and the top of my head resting on the floor. I laughed, thinking that they make contraptions that people use to get in this position and I have my own, until I tried to figure out how to get out of this predicament. I was reminded somewhat of being stuck in my garden cart and unable to get out. After pondering my position for a while, I could see no other alternative but to crawl upwards until the balance of the chair brought me back to Earth—recliner acrobatics!
Okay, so when I use the chair, I just cannot extend it to its full stretch out capacity. That works but one does not enjoy the full benefit of reclining. Oh well, it still works, I thought as I plopped down in the chair a few days later. The chair had other ideas. “No plopping on me!” When I dropped heavily into the chair, it quickly inverted and once again I found myself an unlikely candidate for inversion therapy. If one had said that a recliner could teach one how to sit, I could have scoffed at them. But truly, you should see how demurely I lower myself into that chair. Who invented this apparatus? Although it has some innovative beginnings in the dentistry field starting in the late 18th century and again in 1928 by two Americans, named Edward Knavish and Edwin Shoemaker, the recliner did not become a household necessity until 1960. A furniture maker by the name of Daniel Caldemeyer from Evansville, Indiana has been called the “father of the modern recliner.” He used his air force knowledge of kinetic science to develop the recliner. The chair was used by President Lyndon Johnson and NASA. With good marketing skills, Caldemeyer boasted the recliner to great popularity. Now I don’t plop or invert anymore. Yet, it is a little like walking on egg shells. What if I go to sleep and inadvertently straighten the chair, moving it to its full extension? No doubt it will be inversion awakening time. Yes, I know I disturbed the chair’s kinetic balance. Time to consider a different recliner. [email protected] ©Ann Rains February, 2020
2 Comments
Cecile Hersh
3/20/2020 05:20:47 pm
That is why I have a very nice lift chair. Let the electricity adjust the chair that way it is most comfortable for me.
Reply
I have a lift chair, too, Cecile, but it is so slow moving that it takes forever to get out of it. But after my experience with the little chair, I can honestly say it took me longer to get out of it when it flipped back on me. I may have to rethink utilizing the lift chair. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy hearing from you.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Subscriptions are free! Just fill out the box below.
Archives
August 2021
Featured Posts
|