The Thompson family is adopting tech to help cope....
The family's way to overcome the barriers is our S-Max Sella stair climbing wheelchair.
Young Grace can get around the house safely, even with mum Claire’s own condition which affects her mobility, using our stairclimbing wheelchair.
Grace’s life-limiting condition- NAA10 Ogden Syndrome- means she has global development delay, hypotonia, and involuntary movement.
The 1 in 11 million- life-limiting condition that means Grace is- and will always be - completely dependant, unable to sit up alone or walk.
Grace is unable to sit or hold herself up, walk or talk.
Because no-one knows her lifespan, there is a limit to the mobility equipment that can be funded via usual channels such as the NHS or social services.
The family found the design of their home meant a stairlift was not practical nor appropriate, especially with the harnessing Grace would need to use it safely.
Having seen our Sella in action at a disability show, mum Claire approached the Georgia Leigh Ogden Foundation which helped fund the purchase.
We not only delivered the Sella, but set the accessories to perfectly support Grace and trained the family in the stairclimber’s safe use.
We showed them how to adjust it to suit each person operating it, whether Grace’s mum or dad.
Claire says: “We knew if we wanted Grace to remain in her home we would have to find a way to get a stairclimber,”
“With her involuntary movements, we were becoming concerned for her safety going up and down the flights of stairs, as I have a condition that limits my mobility.
“The stairclimber has changed Grace’s life. She’s able to get up and down the stairs safely. I find it so easy and light to use, it is truly incredible”.
Our battery-powered kinematic S-Max Sella safely and smoothly transfers Grace between levels in the home, and onward to wherever they need to be- bedroom, bathroom, lounge….
The high balance point and PowerStep feature means the smallest carer can easily operate and control the Sella, even pausing, stopping en-route if needed.
Strong yet lightweight and completely portable, the Sella not only conveys its passenger up, down steps and stairs but onward to destination- bedroom, bathroom, lounge, garden…
Our range of accessories enable the Sella to accommodate safety and postural support as Grace grows or her needs change: options address seating and harnessing requirements from head to toe.
Thus, one piece of mobility equipment- that is Class 1 Medical Device certified- offers a universal solution, that can be used with children of all ages.
The Sella provides a timely, cost-effective preventative solution, managing the risk of possible falls or injuries, supporting the family to live life without impacting or limiting living space.
And, when not in use, it folds compactly away, optimising often limited living space.
Our Sella can often by provided via the Occupational Therapist within the NHS or local Authority from Equipment Stores: indeed, most councils across Britain now have at least one in their equipment portfolio and the machine is the UK’s #1 selling stairclimbing wheelchair.
More details of Sella and range of accessories, plus the ability to book a free, no obligation assessment, can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/s-max-sella/.
