Car Door Opener
9th April 2025
Due to severe systemic sclerosis in their hands, our client cannot drive and, so, uses taxis for a lot of transportation needs. The sclerosis results in a need for assistance to release the latch that allows the car door to be opened from both the outside of a car and from the inside. The taxi drivers are not always willing to offer this assistance and have been known to be rude towards the client. These issues have made it stressful and embarrassing for the client when going out.
Window opener for Helen
27th April 2014
Helen could not reach the handles to lock and unlock the windows in her ground-floor flat. The handles include both left-hand and right-hand release buttons, and the mechanisms are rather stiff.
The operating lever has a hinge so that Helen can adjust it to suit the alignment of her wheelchair relative to each window; there are twin button-pressing arms for left and right hand catches; and a tommy bar that allows her to apply plenty of torque to ensure secure locking.
Helen is now able to open and close her windows as she wishes without asking for help.
Wheelchair wrist retainers
27th April 2014
David can have very strong involuntary arm movements. Previous efforts to hold his arms on the chair armrests have been unsatisfactory.
Channels with hinged tops, made from plastic guttering, were securely strapped to the armrests. They were held closed, when around the client’s forearms, by Velcro straps. Various forms of padding were tried and the best solution was for the client to wear specially made lambskin ‘sleeves’. This made inserting his arms into the channels easy and safe and avoided all scuffing of his skin.
The system works well and has improved David’s posture. In particular, it is quick and easy for carers to operate when he is at school.
Wheelchair modification for Chloe
27th April 2014
Chloe has been controlling her electric chair with her right foot for several years. She needed a new chair but could not find one with a foot control and the required low speed operation. The chair is for indoor use only.
A new chair with joystick control was purchased in consultation with the panel. The problem was to fit a suitable foot control with reduced – speed running without breaking into the new electronic controller. The joystick controller for attendant control was re-positioned and the joystick extended and fitted with a floating plate controlled by four solenoids which were controlled and aligned with four switches in the foot control. Adjustment of the solenoids gives precise crawl speeds in all directions. The warranty on the chair has not been infringed and the complete attachment can be transferred when the chair needs replacing.
Chloe now has much better control of her chair, particularly when turning.
Wheelchair camera mounting
27th April 2014
The tetraplegic client has partial use of his right arm and lies on his stomach in his wheelchair. He is a very keen photographer and needs a mount for his camera and camcorder.
A suitable bracket was made with lockable vertical and horizontal adjustment. It is fastened to the underside of the table on which the client rests his elbows.
The client can now use his cameras with ease.
Tipping wheelbarrow
27th April 2014
Children at Ravenscliffe School love gardening but some can contribute little or nothing to the activity. A wheelbarrow that can be attached to a wheelchair would be a useful enabling facility, especially if the child could make it tip. Severely handicapped children can be motivated by participating in the activity rather than merely watching.
The wheel had to swivel and the handles needed to be attached by universal pivots to allow for vertical flexing. The various switching functions provided enable the children to progress through stages:
1. A single tap on a large pad toggles the mechanism up or down.
2. Dual pads are provided to require a selection to be made, up or down.
3. A pad or joystick has to be held on, rather than tapped momentarily, in order to make the barrow tip.
Severely disabled children can now participate in gardening activities. It also assists staff in ‘drawing out’ children who believe themselves to be utterly incapable, giving them the possibility and desire to achieve a new experience for themselves.
Three wheeled walker
27th April 2014
The client has rheumatoid arthritis and uses a three wheeled walker with gutter arm supports to assist her mobility. In certain circumstances, typically when transferring her weight from a sitting to standing position, negotiating changes in floor levels such as small steps or going down ramps, she found the standard walker unstable with a tendency to tilt forwards over the point of balance.
The problem was overcome by increasing the longitudinal wheelbase of the walker with an extension to the pivot point of the front castering wheel of approximately 7”.
The lengthened wheelbase has removed the fear of overbalancing and the client is now able to use her walker with increased confidence.
Musical spoon
25th April 2014
The 18-month old client had a severe eating problem making eating a frightening experience. It was suggested that if music played when he put a spoon in his mouth, he may be encouraged to eat.
A gold-plated wire was fixed to a plastic spoon and connected by a flexible lead to control electronics. A second wire led from the electronics to a wrist strap. Inserting the spoon into the mouth closed a circuit, causing coloured lights to flash and music to play.
The system is a great success, with the client eager to put the spoon in his mouth.
Elastic bandage applicator
24th April 2014
Sandra has a skin complaint that requires a full-length elastic bandage on her left arm. Limited dexterity in her right hand makes applying the bandage difficult.
A length of plastic drainpipe was selected. Sandra feeds the bandage over the top of the pipe using both hands. She then inserts her hand into the top of the pipe and the bandage grips her wrist. Pushing her arm fully into into the pipe unfurls the bandage onto her arm. The bottom of the pipe rests on the floor, giving her something to push against.
The bandage can be placed on Sandra’s arm easily and without discomfort.
Low level wheeled seat
24th April 2014
The young client had to ‘walk’ using his upper limbs, dragging his lower limbs behind him. Some form of mobile seat was suggested for use in the home.
Two models of differing size were made using padded chair seats, fitted with small wheels.
The devices were a great success, making movement around the house much easier.
Skateboard
24th April 2014
Eight-year-old Callum needs some respite from learning to cope with two prosthetic legs, a consequence of a rare reaction to chicken pox three or so years ago. Joining his friends in the skateboard craze will be excellent therapy for Callum and beneficial for his progress and future confidence.
The wheels of a skateboard were shifted forward to allow an extra transverse rear wheel to be fitted close to the ground. A sloping backrest was also fitted and, by leaning on it, Callum can control the speed of travel. (It also enables him to do hand-brake turns!) The combination of the back rest and a protective cover over his legs stabilize his seating.
Callum has used the skateboard in play with his sister and friends and his mum reports that it has fully lived up to expectations.
Shower tray
24th April 2014
A young lady with muscular dystrophy was beginning to encounter difficulties supporting the weight of her upper arms and reaching for shampoos etc when showering and washing her hair.
A detachable tray was devised which fitted across the arms of a standard shower chair enabling the client to rest her elbows on the tray and reduce upper arm and shoulder fatigue when washing her hair. The tray also serves as an accessible surface for the toiletries.
The shower tray gives the client extended independence and self-reliance during her showering routine.
Sewing machine threader
24th April 2014
The client has virtually no wrist movement due to osteo-arthritis but retains reasonable finger dexterity. Sewing is her hobby. She is able to operate her sewing machine but has difficulty threading it. She is unable to use a wire loop threading aid due to her lack of wrist movement.
The solution was to design and fabricate a vacuum device to suck the thread through the eye of the needle from behind without obstructing the view of the needle from the operating position via a ‘U’ shaped tube mounted on a detachable presser foot. A solder sucker (a low cost, commercially available product for removing solder from electronic circuit boards) was used as the source for the vacuum.
The client is now able to thread the sewing machine herself allowing her to pursue her hobby independently.
Protective car screen
21st April 2014
The client, with autism and epilepsy, sometimes lashes out unpredictably when distressed. Some form of screen was required to protect the driver and front seat passenger.
Because the car is a 2 -door model, separate detachable screens were made for fitting to the backs of the front seats. Polycarbonate screens were fitted to sprung mountings, which clipped over the front seats so that the screens were behind the headrests.
The devices fulfilled the requirements and allowed safe driving with the client in a back seat.
Platform for stair lift
21st April 2014
The client is of small stature and could not use her stairlift without climbing onto a box to reach the seat, with consequent risk of falling.
Various possibilities were considered, but finally, the whole stairlift was lowered by 50mm. This involved creating a well at the bottom to support and accommodate the structural base of the stairlift rail and the foot plate of the chair assembly. The foot plate now stops flush with the floor both at the top and the bottom of the stairs.
The risks of tripping and falling have been eliminated and the stairlift can be used much more easily.
Pen holding aid
16th April 2014
The client has a spinal injury, which has resulted in a loss of grip and the inability to hold a conventional pen and in particular to angle it correctly.
The solution was to make a large diameter holder with the writing tip angled so that the end of the body remote from the tip can be rested on the paper whilst writing.
The client has found the pen entirely satisfactory.
Pedal foot retainer
16th April 2014
A young girl with cerebral palsy experienced difficulty controlling her right leg. This gave her problems keeping her foot in position on the pedal of her tricycle.
A pair of regular sandals with rigid moulded soles and Velcro strap fastenings was purchased in an adult size sufficiently large to accommodate her own shoes. The sandals were then screwed to the pedals of the tricycle. The Velcro fasteners provided adequate retention of her feet combined with easy fixing and unfixing. The sandals also proved to be readily transferable at a later date when the young lady came to need a larger tricycle.
She is now in control of the situation and able to enjoy the pleasures of her tricycle with greater ease and safety and without the distraction of trying to control her wayward foot.
Minibus access
13th April 2014
The client’s sons own a minibus and, because of her reduced mobility, she is damaging the door by leaning on it when climbing into the vehicle.
A handle has been made which hangs from the headrest anchorages to halfway down the seat back rest. She uses this to pull herself up into the minibus and removes it easily once she is seated.
The client can now enter the minibus without causing damage.
Luggage carrier
13th April 2014
The client required for the the family luggage to fit her manual wheelchair when travelling by public transport.
Maneuverability, stability, lightness and ease of attachment were important. The solution was made of lightweight tubular steel with two front castors and two rear connecting arms with fastenings to the foot rest brackets.
The client and her family can now travel with luggage without assistance.
Keyboard viewer
12th April 2014
The client types into her computer using a ‘prodder’ held between her toes. The computer screen is directly in front of her and she has difficulty looking down at the keyboard to position the ‘prodder’.
A second-hand 14″ TV set was purchased and mounted adjacent to the computer screen on the computer trolley. A C.C.T.V. camera kit was bought and the camera was mounted under a convenient shelf on the trolley looking vertically down at the keyboard. The cables and power supply were enclosed, so that only one mains cable was needed.
They are now able to read the newspaper without assistance. Use of the computer was made much easier and a source of discomfort removed.
Head support
11th April 2014
The client has multiple sclerosis. He has difficulty focusing his vision on text, television or other specific objects due to involuntary movements of his head. He wanted some means of stabilising his head movement sufficiently to allow him to resume visually related activities.
A headrest was designed which located under his chin and was supported by a frame extending down his chest. The whole assembly was held in position by an adjustable cord running round the back of his neck. The head support was constructed in aluminium and padded for comfort at strategic points.
The client can now resume his enjoyment of all those activities that require concentration of vision.
Gripping aid for oven door
11th April 2014
A 102- year-old lady, living alone, has difficulty turning the oven door knob. A lever-type device would be most suitable.
A 75mm diameter grey plastic collar was bored out to fit the existing door knob. A white copolymer plastic handle was made and secured to the collar with a stud. The assembly was locked in position by two set screws.
The client has now resumed making Yorkshire puddings!
Wheelchair fender to play football
11th April 2014
Amber uses a wheelchair and has never played any kind of sport but is very keen to be able to play football with her friends. A flexible ABS fender was fitted around the front of her wheelchair with a ‘kicking plate’ operated by hand lever in the centre, with which she can ‘kick’ a football.
Amber is delighted to be able to chase a ball for the first time in her life. The school staff are pleased because it provides extra motivation for exercise and for development of a new skill. They have requested further versions for other wheelchairs.
Feeding aid
10th April 2014
The client has insufficient limb movement to feed himself. The equipment must fit onto his wheelchair tray.
The lower left arm is supported by a gutter which the client can raise and lower by two push-buttons operated by his left hand, enabling him to raise food to his mouth. The food dish fits onto an inclined turntable which he can rotate by a third push-button so as to access all the food in the dish.
The client can now feed himself, using his remaining muscle movement.
