Mobility for disabled people in the UK is probably the best there is across the UK. Learning centres are adapted, there are specialist schools, and all public buildings should have wheelchair access. This article is going to concentrate on the transition from buggy to wheelchair.
For the first few years of your life as the parent of a physically impaired child, life is not that much different to that of any parent. But there comes a time when your child won’t fit in a buggy or adapted pushchair, and will need to transition into a wheelchair. Perhaps not an adult size chair at first, but one that is substantially bigger and heavier than a push chair. Thankfully, grants are available to help with the cost of buying a chair. So, all you need are some tips and pointers on how to cope and how to ensure your child is as independent as they can be.
Mobility for Disabled Children in the UK
Buying your first chair for your child will be a time of mixed emotions. For many, it is a time of sadness. No longer can you pretend that your child is the same as an able-bodied one, and he will not be getting up and walking around like his classmates. But, you must remember that your child is just like all her classmates. She wants to learn and have fun, and although she knows now she is different, she wants to feel the same.
Firstly, resist the temptation to do everything for your child. A child with a physical ability that affects her legs for example is perfectly capable of cutting up his dinner. Help needs to productive, and it needs to be encouraging. Your child is going through a transition too, and it is important that their self-confidence grows. Patience and encouragement are two things you are going to need, and by the bucket full.
Mobility for Disabled Kids : Around the Home
Your home must be free from obstacles. This is very much the same when an able-bodied toddler is starting to walk. Remove loose rugs, and have furniture that is stable and heavy. When walkers, crutches, or a chair are not in use, store them in a place that is safe where no one can trip over them.
Your child will need to be comfortable in his new chair. Depending on the disability at hand, you may find a chair with a tray across the front or one with a belt or harness is the easiest to get used to. A wheelchair with a tray can allow your child to join in with activities with kids such as painting and drawing.
Around the home, everything needs to be steady, and not just the furniture. If your child is drawing, then secure the paper to her tray with a piece of tape. If she is helping you out in the kitchen, then use a heavy mixing bowl that will not fall over when she grasps it. You can even find methods by which your table is secured to the floor, like in a cafeteria, so that your child can grab the table is she needs, but will not be able to move it.
Mobility for Disabled : Adapted Learning
Choose tools that are easy to grasp. Do not choose baby toys; always choose toys that are age-appropriate. Choose activities that will allow your child to use her arms and move parts of her body. Being in a chair does not mean your child has to stay entirely still all the time.
If your child is attending a mainstream school, then make an appointment to look round the facilities and to make sure that there is everything in place necessary. No child wants to feel different or have to ask for help. Sometimes it is better to find a place in a specialist unit. Once again, this does not make your child inferior or different from any other child eager to learn. It simply means that their needs will be catered for better.
Lastly, consider a wheelchair ramp for your home. Once your child starts to grow, he will want to be independent just like any other. This means being able to get in and out of the house without someone lifting them. Wheelchair ramps are available in both portable and permanent designs. Here at Go Access we can provide you with a ramp that is suitable for your child’s chair, but also that will still be suitable in the years to come.