As A self-confessed animal geek, er...

I mean conserv-ation biologist, I am an avid BBC wildlife fan.

I recently found myself watching a series called Super Smart Animals.

I was somewhat sceptical but among the usual cast of dolphins and chimps were some more intriguing examples.

It featured animals normally considered of lower intelligence – even a goldfish!

Though, if I’m honest, I was personally very impressed by the extent of tool-use among birds.

I’m sure you are thinking what does this have to do with disability?

Well when you go from six feet to three feet, thus losing the inability to crawl under furniture and reach for things you have to adapt – and fast.

I live alone and if I drop something I can’t bend over. I’m pretty much limited to my arm’s reach.

This is all complicated by the fact I have awful balance as a result of muscle weakness.

All too often this all culminates in Niall on the floor – not ideal.

As a Super Smart Animal myself I have a range of tools to help prevent any accidents and ease my daily chores.

Firstly, the humble wire coat hanger, normally the preserve of dodgy car aerials comes top of my list.

It comes ready assembled with a hook; it is malleable and can be reshaped many times.

I use mine for all sorts – pulling items towards me that are out of reach, rearranging the top shelf of the fridge, making the bed. The list is endless.

Next up is my garden cane, six feet of bamboo that is the tool to replace my former height.

Suddenly, opening curtains, reaching for sockets and switches hidden behind furniture, and even cobwebbing with a manky old sock attached become possible.

I guess the word ‘tool’ in the human context means power drills and trays of accessories, manufactured to perfection, but not to me.

Watching this nature programme, I felt a kinship with these animals that had to make do and mend with what was around them.

To find or create a new tool is very satisfying, and to be honest I do feel quite smart when I find a novel solution to an everyday problem.

So consider the menial tasks you do around the home and how you would do them if you had poor balance and only an arm’s reach from a static position in a chair?

Fancy a challenge? Why not try it?

Throw some sweeties on the floor (in wrappers or clean your floor) and sit in a chair and see just how far you can reach.

If you are feeling brave, try to make a bed!

There is nothing like empathy to aid understanding.

Good luck!