For the toilet and bidet, closed cell foam protective edge strip (sold for packing of paintings and mirrors) were used. It is designed to absorb knocks, is waterproof and washable. By cutting pieces out of its edge, it was made to conform the the shape of the bowls.  Additional pieces were supplied for when the others are being cleaned.

The sink area is protected by a shaped pad cut from a thick closed cell physiotherapy exercise mat, designed specially to absorb impact. This is also waterproof and washable. It is colour-coordinated to match the kitchen. Holes in the left hand section allow water to drain through onto the draining board below.

An off-cut of the mat was used to protect the desk.

Additional protection was provided for use at school, see below.

An extension to the outside ramp and an indoor wedge ramp were added.

A simple free-standing pergola-like frame on castors was made.

Similar indoor frames have also been made.

The client bought a BuggyPod clip-on buggy which is designed to clip on the side of most buggies with universal quick-release connecting brackets.  However, because of the design of the disabled buggy, the standard brackets did not allow it to fold up.

Additional brackets were made to allow the BuggyPod to be connected and disconnected easily using its standard brackets, and the DoBuggy to be folded as usual.

A new carrier plate was made to fit the existing clamping bracket. The new location is much more convenient.

Two simple A-frame gantries on castors were made.

A similar outdoor stand has also been made.

A wooden step was made to fit the existing doorstep and two half-steps modified to create in effect a 2/3 step and a 1/3 step.

The client can now leave her house.

The door control touch pad consisted of 3 vertical buttons; only the lower two buttons are used to talk via the intercom and to unlock the door. The client needed the action lowered by ~15cm.

Levers were fabricated from slats of hardwood; finger-sized push-buttons and key pads were turned from boxwood. The two brackets were made from convenient aluminium sections. The hinge-pin is an M6 coach bolt.

A simple bracket was made from 3mm aluminium, to which the charger lead was secured with cable ties.  It was bent slightly so that it did not foul the edge of her work-table tray.

A similar problem and solution: iPad tablet charging plug handle.

The bag was made to sit in front within easy reach with a strap that supports it from the arm rests.  Integral padding protects the thighs and calves from pressure.

A metal closure was fitted and the whole padded with bicycle handlebar tape.

A raised platform, level with the doorstep, allows a standard suitcase ramp to be used.

This simple aid clamps onto the handlebars and allows the hand to grip.

Knee separator

Foot rest

A sloping stand holds the shoe steady and stiff wire brackets hold the straps open.

The client’s OT had several unused tables available.  One was chosen, and brackets made and fitted to the chair’s arms.

The clamp bolts were colour-coded port and starboard.

Brackets attached in relaxed position

Two brackets were made that clamp onto either side of the buggy and wheelchair, connecting the two together.

Two clamps (used in yachting to fit canopies) were modified with resin inserts to suit the buggy’s oval section tubes.

The clamps on the wheelchair are easily removable, but firm enough to support part of the buggy’s weight.

To attach the buggy, the brackets are attached in the relaxed position. The levers are depressed to raise the rear of the buggy and pins inserted

The client purchased a spring-loaded 1.4m wide retractable child gate and wall extension pieces were fitted to make to opening narrower.

After fitting, the client found it difficult to close the gate against the tension of the rewind spring and to keep the tension clutch disengaged with the twist-and-push release knob.

A hole was drilled in the outer casing of the mechanism for a pin to be inserted to hold the knob in the twisted and depressed position.  Once the gate is closed, the pin is simply withdrawn to activate the tensioning mechanism.

… and open.

Pole to open and close the upper doors

Two doors were added above the standard door to close the opening.  Because the rail passed through the doorway at an angle, the new doors had to open in opposite directions.

A kick step was modified so that, by operating a lever, the castors could be locked in the down position (for use as a wheeled seat to glide around the kitchen) or be free to move up and down (for use as a standard kick step).

At the client’s request, it was painted a rather natty BRG.

To locate her foot, a horseshoe shaped piece of plywood was made to fit around the front of her foot. The size and shape was made suitable to fit her foot either wearing normal shoes or the leg brace. The ‘horseshoe’ was screwed to the platform.

A curved metal plate was made to extend the lateral support given by the standard knee pad, secured using the existing bracket.

A pair of plywood boards was made to allow the item to be sewn to be held steady with plastic spring clips. Cunningly shaped holes allowed the needle to be passed through the cloth. The boards can be rotated to present a different shaped hole for different jobs. They can be used together to darn a sleeve. The arrangement clamps to the client’s table.

A bespoke angled rail was made and fitted.

As the frame closes, the rear wheels ‘toe out’, so the amount that the frame could be closed to make it narrower was dictated by what was an acceptable amount of ‘toe out’. The reduction in width that could be achieved while retaining acceptable wheel alignment was approximately 60mm.

At this opening, the existing linkage would not lock so a new, fixed linkage was made to replace the existing one. It was secured on studs with butterfly nuts so that it was still possible to fold the frame, (for transport, for example).

The hole centres on the fixed linkage were 10mm less than on the original linkage (in its locked position). This reduced the gap between the vertical section of the frame (carrying the handles) so that the basket would not quite fit as normal. (The hooks on the basket fitted over the thumb screws that lock the handles in place.)  Spacers were inserted on the threads of the thumbscrews to compensate.

All the changes to the walker are easily reversible to its original state.