Chris and his top hat

Chris has motor neurone disease and one impact is known as “dropped head syndrome” meaning his neck muscles have insufficient strength to keep his head upright. Apart from the fatigue, this means Chris needs to support his head with his hand, his elbow resting on a table or his knee.

The usual solution to this problem is to use a neck brace, provided by the NHS, but Chris finds this solution very uncomfortable and prefers to go without it. He wanted Remap to try and come up with a lightweight solution.

Derek did some research and looked at devices used in America, not available in the UK, which support the head with straps. He had the great idea of taking this a step forward and combining a strap with a baseball cap.

In Derek’s design the baseball cap has a strap attached at the back which runs down to the trouser belt. This can be adjusted and it provides just enough support to help Chris maintain a good head position.

Chris finds it easy to put on, comfortable to wear and plans to wear it under a jacket when he goes out. He also approves of the “dashing image it gives”!