Need a scooter board she can't fall off of

[Carly'sMa]

I'm trying to find something to get Carly off the floor because she scoots around on her bottom. There are these car detailing chairs and it looks like a good idea if she doesn't slip out of it. Plus it's rather inexpensive. Her wheelchair is just too big in a way. She bumps into everything - walls, furniture, people. She can't get close enough to things when she is in the chair as well. She just keeps ramming the chair closer as if it will make a difference.

Just saw a great stander though. It can lift her from the wheelchair. So maybe I wouldn't need a separate lift. Put her in the stander and wheel her over to her bed etc. The only problem is that it is for people who are 5' tall and she's not there yet, about 4'9". Maybe she'll be 5' in another year. Growth hormone is still working well.

She's so tiny - she weighs 60 lbs. But, we need something better for her to move around the house in. Any ideas?

[howdydave]

I've seen quite a few wheelchairs with seatbelts.

[Cry Tears]

I'm not sure what you're asking...but how about a velcro harness or velcro vest to keep her in place...let me know if I can help make one.
I'm a seamstress...can make ANYTHING! Perhaps velcro keep her in place.
But I'm not sure what you're needing...PM me if you think I can help.
I do this for no charge for those who are in need.
Blessings, cheryl

[moose53]

Deborah,

Take a look at these:

http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=314 -- the single tubmobile -- I'd want to see a better picture of this one, but, it looks like the protection and anti-tip is built in.

and

http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=372 -- the scoot-a-about -- this one might work with the harness/vest that Cheryl's offering.

and

http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=95 -- there's some walkers and gait trainers on this page that might have some potential.

and

http://www.specialkidszone.com/Product_Level2.asp?SubCategoryID=89 -- the wheel and the push car (Star Car) both have chest straps. On the Star Car, you can remove the handle, then you've got something close to the floor with good posture and a chest strap.

Barb

[Cry Tears]

How about the Scoot about that Moose linked for you....but instead of a seat have a sling like seat that will naturally hold her in....gravity wise.
I have one of those sky chairs....its material/canvas...once you're in the seat it takes an act of god to get out of it!
But then she'd be on her back....perhaps she needs to be facing down?
I'm still not sure what her needs are yet...but I bet with all us minds put together here on BT we can come up with a good idea!
That soft tub round about looks fun...but so spendy for just 4 wheels on a platform with a tubular foam upholstered ring.
Looks like that can be easily made instead of spending all that money for one, but then again if it fits her needs, its money well spent.
The harness can be a vest like, something she wears that would then be secured to the roll about.
I'm afraid of choking on something should she slip out unattended...but we can make it where its safely devised. Cheryl

[especialneeds]

The correct information on this post is...
The Tubmobiles - http://www.especialneeds.com/tubmobiles.html

The scoot-a-about no longer exists.

Walkers & Gait Trainers - http://www.especialneeds.com/pediatrics-standers-gait-trainers-walkers.html

Deborah,

Take a look at these:
http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=314 -- the single tubmobile -- I'd want to see a better picture of this one, but, it looks like the protection and anti-tip is built in.

and

http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=372 -- the scoot-a-about -- this one might work with the harness/vest that Cheryl's offering.

and

http://www.bright-start.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=95 -- there's some walkers and gait trainers on this page that might have some potential.

[lisa6wks]

What would you like her to be able to do in it? If it's just to get from place to place without scooting on her butt how about an ordinary scooterboard? You can get them in different sizes and if you got a larger one it would be more difficult for her to fall off and if she did fall off, she would be too close to the floor to get hurt. I use one at school for a child who scoots on his butt and it works really well.

Lisa

[Veritas96]

I'm trying to find something to get Carly off the floor because she scoots around on her bottom... She bumps into everything - walls, furniture, people. She can't get close enough to things when she is in the chair as well. She just keeps ramming the chair closer as if it will make a difference... Any ideas?

Hi Carly'sMa,

I need to use a powerchair for independent mobility, and I bump into all kinds of things, too. It doesn't matter what kind of mobility device I've had, because they are all difficult to control. When I was able to walk with braces and crutches, frustration over tripping on a crutch or having loose velcro straps cause me to fall, has led me to do all sorts of lovely damage to my home. Having a disability can be frustrating at times, or rather- how the world relates to our mobility issues can be frustrating. This is most obvious when you consider that powered mobility devices, just like cars and bicycles, don't stop immediately the way you might be able to stop walking. Pushing the control knob in reverse, as many of my quad and para friends do, damages the gears, maybe not right away but it will eventually.

If Carly uses a mobility cart or scooter, the first thing you will both notice is that the turning radius is much larger than a powerchair with center drive. That means more holes in the wall, scraped furniture and molding. Powerchairs are not immune of course, and my personal specialty is- cracked and chipped electric-light switch plates, usually from backing out of someone's way.

In favor of the powerchair, however, it is safer with a positioning belt or harness (which Carly's doctor can prescribe). Off the floor is definitely safer, cleaner, and more adaptive. Does her Carly's chair have swing-away arms to get close to the table? Does she know how to use them? I used a tray attached to my chair for awhile. It was very useful and comfortable but difficult for me to get on and off. If Carly would need help with that anyway, it might be something to consider, if you haven't already. My tray had a lip around the edge that kept pens and such from rolling off or getting knocked onto the floor. Now my service dog Kendall picks up things I drop.

I hope you find a good solution for Carly. You sound like a really thoughtful mom.