Michael — though nearly everyone calls him Mick — is the kind of man who tells a story better than most, often with a mug of tea in hand and a dry one-liner ready to go. He’s lived a full life, raised a family, and now in his late 70’s, he’s still doing his best to keep the show on the road at home.
But, as Mick will tell you himself, things don’t quite work the way they used to.
“It’s like they don’t want to bend,” he says of his hands, shaking them out gently. “Makes it hard to grab or grip anything. They’re sore most mornings — and sure, they don’t always let up during the day either.”
It’s not just his hands. After a lifetime of work — including “summers in the bog” — his shoulders and back aren’t in top form either.
Still, Mick tries not to complain. He loves the bit of independence he still has — pottering around the kitchen in the mornings, making himself a fry. He’s partial to a rasher sambo, he’ll admit with a grin.
But there were a few jobs that were becoming more difficult — and a bit riskier — especially when it came to boiling water.
“The Kettle Was Getting Too Much”
Lifting the old, heavy kettle was becoming a real issue. Between the weight, the grip, and the awkward angle of pouring, Mick found himself struggling more than he liked. “That kettle was fierce heavy,” he admits. “I’d have to brace myself for it, and even then, I was afraid I’d spill it. Not good with these hands.”
That’s when his daughter, Mary, decided to take matters into her own hands.
A Birthday Gift That Was Actually Useful
“I’m sick of giving gifts that end up shoved in a drawer,” Mary told us. “So this year, I wanted something he’d actually use.”
Mary popped into her local Homecare Medical and asked the team for advice. “They were lovely,” she said. “I told them about Dad’s hands and how he was finding things tougher in the kitchen. They showed me the Uccello Kettle and I just thought — that’s it.”
And just to make sure it wouldn’t be ignored, she made a bold move. “I threw out the old kettle,” she laughs. “So he had no choice. I’m delighted I did!”
The Uccello Kettle: A Quiet Game-Changer
The Uccello Kettle has become part of Mick’s daily routine now — from morning tea with the paper to an afternoon cuppa with a visiting neighbour.
“My daughter Mary got me the kettle,” Mick says. “I didn’t think I needed it, but it sure is handy.”
With no lifting, no twisting, and no spills, it’s made life that bit easier. The gentle tilt-and-pour action means Mick doesn’t have to worry about burning himself — and he can still be the one to put the kettle on when the family pops round.
A Team Effort (Even the Dog)
Mick isn’t one to let a challenge stop him. He and his grandson have even taken to training the dog to help with the shopping bags — “so I don’t have to worry about the weight,” he explains. “We’re not there yet, but we’re working on it!”
It’s that spirit — a mix of humor, determination, and a lot of love from his family — that keeps Mick going.
Because sometimes, support doesn’t mean taking over. It means stepping in just enough to help someone stay doing the things they love — like making a fry, pouring a cup of tea, and sharing a few stories.
Want to help someone like Mick stay independent at home?
Learn more about the Uccello Kettle and how it can help those with arthritis, reduced grip strength or mobility stay safe and confident in the kitchen.
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