Our Chilli Bean isn’t an ordinary bean bag however.
We use innovative vaccuum technology so mum Naomi and Eliza's care team can precisely fix the contours and firmness to perfectly support Eliza, correctly. In effect Chilli Bean gives her a big blue hug.
Eliza feels so comfortable in it that the first time she used it, she fell asleep!
Eliza’s requires 24-hour care because of her complex needs.
Her muscle spasms and lack of head control means she requires specialist seating but the family was struggling to find equipment that was comfortable, safe and delivered the necessary support to stabilise her.
Mum Naomi- herself an Occupational Therapist- desperately looked for something that would help Eliza be part of family life.
Naomi had already purchased one of our Bagel flotation cushions for the bath, to enable Eliza to enjoy the immersion experience rather than being sat in a rigid bath seat.
Naomi wondered if the same vacuum technology was available in a day chair so Eliza could join in family time…
It was- Chilli Bean!
We showed Naomi and her care team how to mould Chilli Bean to give Eliza a correct, natural and comfortable seating position and necessary stabilisation without pressure points.
Chilli Bean's ability to be reformed means that Eliza grows, or her daily support requirement change, the family can quickly and easily adjust the shape and firmness to suit.
We have removed the weeks of delay in remoulding inherent with conventional fixed mould paediatric seating.
Chilli Bean's soft fabric also gives Eliza sensory feedback. Its snug shape helps her awareness of her body. And when mum pops a sound device underneath the ChillI Bean, Eliza gets further sensory stimulation as the vibration will transfer through.
“Eliza’s reaction- falling asleep- when she first sat in the Chilli Bean was just wonderful!” said Naomi. “She’s otherwise either in her wheelchair, or we have a foam seat but the headrest on that doesn’t give her any stable support.
“The precision we can create with Chilli Bean will mean we can all relax and have family time without worrying that Eliza is comfortable, correct and stable.”
Chilli Bean is just one of our numerous vacuum posture cushions , from simple arm & wrist supports to full-size mattresses.
You can find out more about the concept of vaccuum posture cushions here: http://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
We have more information about Chilli Bean here: http://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/
