The problem was initially considered as a modification of the footrest by adding a permanent hinged extension to the chair in order to support the client’s feet. However, the proposed solutions either required greater dexterity than the client possessed or interfered with other mobility aids such as his Molift Raiser. It was therefore decided to modify a standard wheeled footstool. Hooks were added around the cushion base, 2x long lightweight handles with hooks were made and a loop of cord was attached. The client therefore has several options as to how he can move the footstool in and out of position himself.

A table was made to exactly fit the dimensions of the client’s chair (not that in the picture) with a cut-out into which a narrow Ikea tray fits snugly. The tray is designed to hold sweets and snacks and can be lifted out and washed.

Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org.uk

Aluminium mount with detent pin

An activity camera chest harness was modified: the elastic waist strap was shortened and the shoulder elastic straps replaced by normal 25mm nylon webbing. The plastic camera mount was replaced by a aluminium backing plate to support the hinge mechanism with a 90 degree movement and removable detent pin.

A Velcro strap retains the Communicator in its folded up position when not in use.

A bespoke mount was created to hold the Communicator utilising the integral strap mounting bars. With the detent pin removed, the Communicator can be detached and used independently. The functionality of the flip out stand is retained.

Finally a pocket was added to the harness to hold Tom’s ever present model train.

Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org.uk

After experimenting with a prototype, these attractively painted steps with adjustable height handrails were made. A pair of wheels enable the steps to be easily moved.

Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org.uk

A pair of rails have been fitted at both the top and bottom of the stairs. A simple plywood board is located in one of the pairs of rails as required. There are no hinges or catches; it relies on the friction in the slides to prevent unauthorised use.

The requirement was to provide an adjustable height modification to the ReTurn aid, including heel support to help promote a flat footed posture.

On trials, it was determined that only two different heights would be required. A nesting set of two block platforms was developed, attached to the ReTurn platform via a cross hatched Velcro scheme to allow fore, aft, and lateral adjustments without the need to ensure the male and female strips where aligned on top of one another.

In the stacked configuration, dowels force correct location, and two over-centre clamps ensure rigidity.

The back plate is removable, both to allow ease of use, but also to accommodate the 180 degree placement of the upper platform when stacked.

Two eyehole brackets and clamps provided to allow the standard restraint strap to located higher when the block platform was in use.

The wheels were removed from an otherwise suitable standard commode and feet added. The feet were bolted to aluminium plates to increase the sideways stability.

Berkshire Panel Job BK2018/13.

Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org.uk

A pair of free-standing handles provide the required height and their bases act a brakes on the seat.

Two additional feet were added to the steel base frame and a new rail fixed.

A simple padded dish (a repurposed dog feeding bowl) was fitted to the client’s trombone stand with a length of threaded rod (to give height adjustment).

“Ladder bars” handles were bolted onto the underside of the wheelchair’s existing footrests, and a new plate fitted to allow the footrests to be rotated and locked into an upright position, presenting the handles for use.

The handles can be left in place, hidden below the foot rests, when the wheelchair is in normal use, so no extra paraphernalia needs to be carried.

The height of the handles will rise in the future as the foot rests are lowered to accommodate leg growth.

The modifications are easily unbolted when wheelchair is returned.

The client’s mother was chuffed to bits with the way that they can also be used as restraints when the client is sat on a normal toilet, to prevent him falling sideways, and in disabled toilets where the usual fold-down arms are far too wide apart for him.

Four wooden feet were made which clamped to the base frame of the sofa. A valance was included to prevent the client’s feet from getting trapped underneath.

The solution agreed was to add a bracket to the dining chair to allow the wheelchair headrest to be easily fitted when required.

A light weight two-piece ramp with a non-slip surface was made.

He was supplied with two aids: One was a foam cushion shaped to fit to the actual shape of his back. The second was an air cushion bought from Decathlon. Both are intended to go into a soft back pack which can either be worn or put on the seat between the client and the chair back. A hook which attaches to the back pack with Velcro to provides adjustment to ensure the back pack hangs on the back of the chair at the right height.

In order for the air cushion to mould itself to the client’s back and not to the shape of the chair (which could be too short or could include struts for example), a board was inserted into the backpack to provide a flat surface so that the air cushion would press against this uniform surface.

The advantage of the air cushion over the foam cushion is that it will adapt itself to almost any shape of back and therefore can be worn by anyone with a similar condition and is very quick and cheap to assemble.  A disadvantage is it can feel a bit wobbly. The foam cushion on the other hand requires carving into shape, taking time and skill, and is a bespoke product for that individual.

Four plywood flower beds on legs were made.

The ideal solution would have been to use the hinge bolts of the ramp to permanently attach legs. The client didn’t want such a solution, so a simple block with captive end brackets was created.

Two fabric slings were modified with quick release snap connectors like the type that are used on ID badge neck straps. The device can be worn around the neck with low risk as the connectors will release if pulled or if the wearer gets caught in it.

A detector was made using a water detector mounted on a plate and linked to the nurse call pager system. The system activates when a resistance of just over 4 megaOhm is bridged across the detector wires. The client can now receive the vital care she needs quickly without having to have constant supervision.

He requires to drill the irregularly shaped hazel sticks and the even more irregular antlers down the centre. The two parts are then assembled with a 8mm steel screw thread and spacer through the middle which is epoxy glued together.

A jig was made that could be set up in a Workmate by the client’s carer, consisting of two interchangeable tables to hold either the stick or the antler. A drill was mounted on a sliding table.

The stick is mounted on the first table between centres at the correct height using a selection of stepped bushes roughly the size of the stick and then clamped up with the three screws in a chuck motion. The drill is then pushed into the stick and the hole is produced central down its length.

The antler is mounted on the second table made of a Mole grip clamp mounted onto a heavy duty ball and swivel. The clamp can be positioned in any alignment allowing the antler to be drilled along its centreline.

The armrest was easily removed, and a handle and fixing bracket designed to fit snugly over the side panel. Clamp screws were added, but these were not required upon fitting. The bracket was made of recycled marine ply from a kitchen and a hardwood tent pole.

This job was subsequently modified under BK2017/80.

The new handle clamps to the side rail of the bed and allows limited rotation to ensure the client has a firm grip as he rotates out of the bed.  It was made from re-purposed parts.

Both poles were fitted with paracord whipping over double sided carpet tape to provide a secure hold.