PRO DUCTS
Linda Cohen and
Karen Lehman Boren
show off some of
their gift baskets.
Makin'
Life E-Z
Don't complain about pain. These sisters
offer gift baskets with helpful surprises.
he next time someone you know has
back surgery, instead of the usual
flowers or candy, consider an "Oh My
Aching Backpak" from EZlifegifts, the brain-
child of sisters Karen Lehman Boren and
Linda H. Cohen.
They offer a variety of packages filled with
gadgets and daily living aids to make life easi-
er for people with temporary or permanent
physical challenges.
The sisters, who live in West Bloomfield
with their husbands, Dennis Boren and Ron
Cohen, started the business when physical
therapist Karen Boren sold her practice and
Linda Cohen retired after 34 years of teaching
in the Lamphere School District in Madison
Heights.
"I wanted to combine my experience in the
physical therapy field with my business
sense," said Boren, who had a private practice
in Southfield for 15 years. "The idea came to
me one night. There are a lot of useful prod-
ucts available, but most people don't know
what's out there to make their lives easier."
One of the first challenges the sisters faced
was developing an attractive, yet functional,
way to package the products.
"Many people don't realize that you can't
open a typical shrink-wrapped package with
arthritic hands," said Cohen, whose sister
describes her as the "creative one of the duo.
"So I came up with the idea of a reusable tote
bag, wrapped and tied with a ribbon that can
be opened easily with one snip."
The gift packages, which are suited for peo-
T
STORY BY R O N E L L E G R I E R
Dennis Boren easily
reaches the top shelfA
Linda Cohen
demonstrates
a neck roll
ple with permanent impairments or temporary
disabilities due to surgery or illness, range in
price from $35 to $125. Most include an
assortment of kosher gourmet goodies. "Build-
your-own" packages also are available.
Packages can be delivered locally or shipped
nationwide.
For people with weak grip due to arthritis
or carpal tunnel syndrome, the "Helping
Hands Giftpak" has an assortment of daily liv-
ing aids, including key turners, zipper pulls,
jar openers and buttoning devices.
There also is a "Pain in the Neckpak," with
cervical support rolls, hot-cold packs and mas-
sagers, and an "EZReach Giftpak" has long
shoehorns and long-handled sponges for peo-
ple who have problems bending or reaching.
The "Frequent Traveler Giftpak" — which
includes items such as lumbar and cervical
support pillows, earplugs and expandable tote
bags — makes a wonderful gift for a retiree or
anyone who appreciates a few creature com-
forts when they travel, according to Cohen.
"We use the reachers and long-handled
sponges in our own kitchens all the time,"
said Boren.
"This is a fun business," said Cohen, "and
it's a good feeling to send out a beautifully
wrapped package filled with things that are
going to help people." ❑
EZlifegifts can be reached at (248) 932-0745
or ezlifegifts.com .
JNPLATINUM • JULY 2005
• 17