New year, new phase
Welcome to a new year! I hope 2022 is a happy and healthy one for you and your family. It has certainly commenced with a different feel – as we become accustomed to a new phase of the pandemic and ‘living’ with community transmission. While following the latest health advice and regulations, we strive to maintain our excellent standard of service. We are happy to reschedule appointments if you or your family are unwell.
It’s also a good time to remind you of the need to care for and clean Assistive Technology items. Routine checks for wear and tear, as well as regular surface or deep cleaning treatments, are important to ensure your equipment is kept safe, hygienic and in good working order to support your child for years to come. Check the manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions, or please chat with us at your next appointment.
In this newsletter, we have some exciting new products included, as well as some information about frame running, which we are hoping to support in the coming months. This is an exciting development and I know lots of children in Adelaide will be thrilled to get involved.
As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with any enquiries.
Kind regards,
Simone Fejer
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Spotlight on: CatchUp Chair
The CatchUp Chair by Special Tomato is a new product suitable for children and young adults with mild to moderate postural support needs. The CatchUp Chair is stable, highly adjustable and mobile, making it a great option for home, school, therapy clinics and hospitals. It is easily configured without tools to provide a perfect fit seat with foot support at the perfect height for a variety of tabletop surfaces.
The CatchUp Chair has a high degree of adjustability to ensure a supportive and comfortable fit for each user – so they can focus on learning, eating, creating and socialising with maximum comfort. Seat depth, seat to footrest height, seat to floor height and backrest height are all adjustable in 2.5cm increments. Each graduated adjustment is numbered so it is easy to note the proper configuration for different tabletop heights or for multiple users.
The CatchUp Chair comes standard with seat and back pads as well as a 3-point adjustable pelvic positioning belt plus both a small and large size 5-point adjustable chest positioning harness. The pelvic belt and chest harness stabilise a well aligned posture. Sturdy metal frame construction ensures years of reliable service. The swivel locking castors allow for easy manoeuvrability and floor clearance. The footrest can be moved back and out of the way during transfers into and out of the chair.
The CatchUp Chair can also be used with the Special Tomato Soft Touch Seat Liner or a Special Tomato Soft Touch Sitter.
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Endeavour into the great outdoors
The Endeavour is a robust and supportive pushchair from Adaptive Star, suitable for neighbourhood walks, long runs, mountain trails and beaches, encouraging fun family expeditions
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Fun activities await with the Joy Table
The height adjustable Joy Table provides a smooth, wide and easy to clean space for playing and learning. Manufactured by Akces-Med to complement the Kidoo chair, the Joy Table can also be used with a variety of other chairs
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New Product: Rifton Pacer Gait Trainer
The Rifton Pacer is a dynamic walking aid ready to go anywhere. Manufactured by Rifton, the Pacer Gait Trainer is renowned for its innovative, modular design, durability, flexibility and ease of use.
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Summertime Splashy adventures
Warmer weather means it's time to explore the outdoors! The Splashy and Splashy Big provide a supportive base for your child in the garden, at the beach or even in messy play spaces to encourage participation and inclusion.
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In Depth: Frame Running
What is Frame Running? It’s an innovative sport for any age, suitable for those who have impaired balance, who are not able to functionally run. A frame runner trike is a custom-built, three-wheeled frame, which supports the runner with a saddle and chest support. The runner uses their feet (one or both) for propulsion and their hands/arms to steer. It’s liberating, fun and a great form of exercise!
A University of South Australia study is currently exploring the potential of Frame Running to help children with cerebral palsy to improve their movement, social connections, and mental health.
The study will engage 10-15 children and teenagers, aged 6-17 years with cerebral palsy in a 12-week trial during which their physical, social and mental health will be monitored.
Chief investigator, Associate Professor Kade Davison said boosting physical and social opportunities among children and teens with cerebral palsy could have lifelong benefits.
“Physical activity is essential for optimal physical, emotional and psychosocial development of all children, yet for kids with cerebral palsy, the unpredictability of their movements can make physical movement difficult, affecting their self-esteem, confidence and independence,” he said.
Frame Running offered children the opportunity to be with kids who have similar disabilities, empowering them to experience the freedom of greater mobility as well as fun and comradery, he said.
Women and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) head of research, Paediatric Rehabilitation Department, Associate Professor Ray Russo, said families of patients who do Frame Running claim it has helped their children with improvements in muscle strength, mobility and participation in sporting activities. “However, there is little scientific research in this field, especially in the areas of social connections and mental health, so this research project is an exciting opportunity to assess the benefits of this growing sport,” he said.
In exciting news for Adelaide, a new Frame Running Group will be launched later this year. This inclusive fitness program will provide an exercise opportunity to keep children with a disability active and healthy. Professional Assistance for Living is excited to support this fantastic initiative with several Frame Running bikes. We will share more information about this venture in the coming months, as it gets off the ground. Frame Runners will also be available for demo and scripting through Professional Assistance for Living.
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Is it time for a check-up?
The new year is a great time to check how your equipment is tracking. Do you need a routine adjustment for growth or movement? Book in for a clinical review to ensure your child is being properly supported.
If all that wear and tear is starting to show on moveable parts, or a repair job is needed, our specialised technicians can help!
Contact us today for more details.
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