Assistive Devices Children.  Any parent or carer of a disabled child knows the huge cost involved when it comes to purchasing disability equipment.  Time and time again I’m asked by parents if there is any cheaper alternative in the equipment or assistive device they wish to buy for their child.

Why is the cost so much heavier for children?  That’s an answer I’m searching to find but so far what I’ve uncovered is that the smaller the chair the more expensive it can be.  Amazing I know; you’d think the opposite would be the case but, it all comes down to demand.  If something is sold in great quantities the cost comes down; if the opposite applies, the cost goes up.  That’s why a 12” chair is so much more expensive than an 18” chair (basic models).

In our business, Mobility Solutions, our hearts go out to every parent and carer who has a disabled child as we know the huge financial burden placed on them.  Everyone of them wants to give their child the best but sometimes it just can’t be done as medical aids are often not sufficient to pay for sometimes crucial equipment that can assist the child’s development.

The range of children’s mobility equipment is vast and prices on wheelchairs can range from a fairly affordable R8 to R10,000, right up to a 4 x 4 chair with remote parent control that costs R200,000.

Some children are able to use para chairs that give them maximum range of motion and encourage upper body development.  Other less fortunate are confined to higher back wheelchairs or specialist chairs with tilt in space and recline function and these become a lot more expensive, depending on the brand chosen.  My advice here if money is limited is to look around for less expensive alternatives that are just as good as the branded names.  One of our best sellers is a manual, tilt in space with recline and a host of adjustments that sells for much less than its expensive counterparts but is just as good.

Standing frames are something every parent would love to get their child as standing encourages bone density and muscle growth, apart from assisting in good bowel function and a general sense of well being.   Most of the associations have standing frames and we were lucky enough to be able to donate a brand new frame to The Open Air School in Glenwood on behalf of an anonymous benefactor.  This frame will greatly assist the physios there.

For children who are able to walk, even just a little, one of the best walkers around is the Posture Control  Reverse Walker , the most popular being the Kaye Reverse Walker.  These walkers are all designed so that walking is less energy consuming plus, it improves postural alignment and encourages the potential for walking, especially in children with CP and musculoskeletal impairments.   Improvements have also been noted in alignment as the child no longer stoops when walking as is the case with forward walkers plus balance, stride and step length improve greatly.

Don’t forget the huge thereaputic benefits of water.  Swimming pools and sea are wonderful for children (always with someone there of course) and there are a few devices that make it so easy for children to enjoy the water.  There are lots of flotation devices around which act as buoyancy aids and then for those who can afford one a beach wheelchair is one of those luxury items that children adore and never want to come out of.

They can be used safely in all swimming pools and at the beach and are so easy to propel over the sand.

These are only a few of the huge range of assistive devices out there and unfortunately I am unable to cover them all but if any parent or carer has any queries please feel free to contact me on info@mobilitysolutions.co.za and I will be delighted to assist you