Page 23 - Mobility Management, September 2018

Creating Kid-Friendly Chairs
Push handles give parents a way to lend part-time propulsion assistance; anti-tippers are another way to make sure kids can feel free to explore in their self-propelled chairs while still being safe.
“Another thing to be considered is the activity level of the child,” Tucker confirmed. “Are they self propelling, or do Mom and Dad need to push? If they’re self propelling, do we have the ability to change the center of gravity and the rear wheel size as they grow? That creates a more controlled and safer ride; we don’t want them tipping out of their chairs.”
Children are sensitive, and all children want to be included
— Josh Tucker
Another notable difference between adult and pediatric clients is how successfully a clinician, ATP or technician can communi- cate with them. For example, maybe it’s possible to explain the functionality of positioning components to a 30-year-old client. But if a 3-year-old doesn’t like the look of those components, you probably won’t win that argument.
“They’re very reactionary,” Tucker said of kids. “So aesthetics are a huge factor. Children are sensitive, and all children want to
be included. When a child has mobility equipment that fits their personality, it makes them feel more confident and outgoing. They have people coming up to them saying, ‘Cool chair!’ They’re getting smiles and high-fives. It brings a lot of positive attention when it’s more aesthetically pleasing.”
And the impact doesn’t stop there.
“It’s important for Mom and Dad, too,” Tucker acknowledges. “For the parents, functionality, durability and the quality of the equipment are most important. Given the choice of pushing around something that looks like medical equipment or pushing around equipment that looks like it was made specifically for a child, they’re going to choose the latter. And we, as adults, can be sensitive, too. We don’t want people staring at our child or staring at us when we’re rolling by. So if the child is smiling, and the child is comfortable and confident, it makes the parents feel that way. When you put a kid into a position they don’t want
to be in, they’re going to start crying and drawing attention to themselves. So why not put them into something that’s bright and comfortable and fits their personality?”
Creating Family-Friendly Chairs
Comfortable, confident kids go a long way toward creating comfortable, confident parents who are more likely to comply
Raz-SP
REHAB SHOWER COMMODE CHAI
Seats
Contoured and padded for optimal pressure distribution
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• Adjustable seat position (2” fore/aft)
COG Adjustment
For optimal accessibility and stability
• Only RSCC with adjustable 6” fore / aft axle position
Frame Design
• Standard, long, low and custom frames • Adjustable STF height (4”)
• Back heights (15” / 17” / 20” / 24”)
IR
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MOBILITY MANAGEMENT | SEPTEMBER 2018 21