The cushion in question is one of AAT’s vacuum posture cushions- the Comfortable Plus Duo- one of few approved by British Airways for use in flight.
Vacuum technology means the cushion holds its form and firmness once moulded yet is easy to re-shape if required: perfect stability and adaptability.
Peter’s father Daniel shapes and fixes the cushion to the contours of the seat and Peter’s back to perfectly support him in the aircraft cabin, on his own seat, for the duration of the flight.
The Comfortable Plus Duo cushion supports Peter‘s whole body from head to pelvis.
As the five year-old is peg fed and ideally needs to be lying down for feeding, the cushion’s generous size and integral lateral wings meant it was able to double up as a safe and comfortable feeding mat too.
“Peter can’t support himself for too long. When we booked the holiday we thought he could sit on our laps for the flight but discovered for safety he would have to sit on his own seat for take-off and landing,” explained Daniel.
“We have an AAT cushion- the Comfortable- at home on the recommendation of Peter’s Occupational Therapist, to support Peter’s back in his wheelchair so were familiar with how it all works. We can precisely mould it around his pronounced spinal bump to keep him supported and comfortable.
"But the design of aircraft seats presented a challenge: to be able to fly, we needed something that would also stabilise his head and pelvis. The larger Comfortable Plus Duo was perfect!”
Comfortable and Comfortable Plus Duo are just two of numerous vacuum posture cushions AAT offers, from simple arm & wrist supports to full-size mattresses.
Using vacuum technology they precisely fit, support and correct the positioning of the user- and to hold that shape for as long as needed! Continued stabilisation and comfort whilst compensating for asymmetry and/or muscle weakness is assured.
AAT is so confident of the cushions’ performance, it offers free no obligation assessment for potential users.
Full details of AAT’s range of vacuum posture cushions are on its website: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
Details of Comfortable Plus and Comfortable Plus Duo are here: http://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus/ and http://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus-duo/
Daughter Amy has Cerebal Palsy. Affecting her whole body, it particulary impacts control over her arms and legs.
It means that when the family travel abroad, she has to have a bulkhead seat so she doesn’t kick the back of the seat in front.
But that in turn means she is not safe and secure: airlines do not allow a strap round the back of the seat, preventing the use of a harness.
Amy’s dad Stephen became aware of AAT’s Stabilo cushions from his teaching in a special school, where the innovative, infinitely adjustable vacuum posture support cushions were often used on wheelchairs.
He had a lightbulb moment: as Stabilo have no straps to secure them in place, utilising the occupant’s body weight to hold in place, would that be a solution?
It was! We even had an aircraft seat, so Amy and Stephen could try the Stabilo Comfortable Plus cushion with integrated head and body supports to see how well it worked.
It worked so well that Stephen bought one; the next trip- nine hours to Florida- Amy slept all the way there and back, she was so comfortable!
Even the pilot thought it was brilliant, never having seen one before.
"Amy sits more comfortably than any other time,” says Stephen. “The lateral pads wrap around her chest making her feel safe and secure without awful tight straps.
"We form the cushion so it acts like an armchair and prevents lateral movement and adjust as necessary during the flight to accommodate the aircraft pressure changes.
“Amy’s life is tough, full of challenges, but the cushion has made her adventures just a bit easier. Gareth from AAT went above and beyond in his efforts to help us find a solution.”
AAT’s Stabilo Comfortable Plus is one of several of our cushions that is approved by British Airways opening the world of foreign travel to disabled people.
Comfortable Plus is essentially a bean bag that can be fixed into shape to support and stabilise the head and torso without pressure points, thereby effectively reducing the risk of pressure sores.
Once moulded to the contours required, you just extract air within via a pump to fix the “beans” into shape. The process means you can be quickly and easily adjust it, to accommodate finite adjustments for continued comfort- from a small tweak to a complete re-mould.
Made from an advanced neoprene material, Stabilo Comfortable Plus Duo is waterproof and can be wiped clean to address spills or maintain hygiene.
Why choose AAT vacuum posture cushions?
- Hassle- free: no need for frequent re-plumping necessary with conventional cushions. The vacuum technology holds the moulded shape for months! No need for the delay and cost of a new fixed mould- we show you how to remould without pressure points as you need.
- Quick and easy: to fix the shape, mould to the required shape, use the handy pump (hand or electric versions available) to remove the air. Voila, the shape is fixed! To re-shape, just allow a little air back into the cushion and repeat.
- Instantly re-mouldable: comfort assured! Because you can re-shape yourself, comfort is constantly assured.
- Infinite possibilities: whatever precise contouring is required can be achieved- just form pommels, asymmetrical wings, channels to accommodate pegs and feeding tubes…
- Optimal practicality: our cushions can all be wiped clean and disinfected. Size allowing, they can be popped into the washing machine (see care instructions).
- Support that goes the distance: our free no obligation assessment considers all aspects- home environment, user and ‘operator’. We personally show you how to configure the cushions so you are comfortable re-moulding without causing pressure points. And if you can’t find a standard shape that works for your precise requirements, we’ll do our best to make it for you.
- Proven in practice: our vacuum posture cushions have been used by professionals and individuals alike for 20 years
Full details of the Stabilo Comfortable Plus infinitely adjustable posture support cushion, including booking a free, no obligation demonstration and/or assessment, can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus/.
Comfortable Plus is just one of numerous vacuum posture cushions in AAT’s Stabilo range, which range from arm rests to full-size mattresses. And if there is no standard cushion to suit a client’s specific issues, AAT can make one to order. You can find out more about the whole range here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
