Michael Darnton

RadioShack (and other similar electronic stores) have aftermarket chargers for all sorts of things. Just take it in and let the guy behind the counter help you. The plugs are standard, and all the various voltages are available. Cheap.

Putting my thumb in it--I initially found it debilitating to try to hold the thing up with my thumbs. Ultimately, letting it hang on its own, my hands pointed down 45 degrees, with my thumbs in just enough not to loose the concertina, and just the tips of my little fingers in the hooks works just fine. It's no work, easy on the thumbs which are just hangers, not much else, mobile, and works for me. Probably it's horrible technique, but it works.