Seth got his new walker a month ago. I read about the Leckey walker last year on a different blog and it looked amazing. All the walkers I had seen before this that gave the level of support that Seth needs had loads of stuff at the front so if Seth did actually walk up to something he wouldn't be able to reach for it because the rest of the walker would be in the way. The 'spine' of the walker moves with the child so if they turn the walker turns to. It also can go outside. Anyway, I was smitten and spent the rest of the year trying to get our physio to arrange for the Leckey rep to bring one to school for Seth to try. I succeeded this Easter and we were able to trial it for several weeks. Our physio was convinced and she managed to convince the panel that decides what equipment gets funded even though it was more expensive than the usual walkers they provide.
It arrived just before the Summer holidays began and we had limited success. During the trial Seth really enjoyed the walker. Okay he mainly liked how he could bounce but he also took some lovely steps. Since then as soon as I've put him in it, even if he has walked up to it (with me supporting him) as soon as he was in it he would just go limp and just hang there. One time he even fell asleep in it! The walker supports Seth at the chest, hips and under the arms. However, it also has a little 'seat' which is intended to just provide support when needed. However, Seth was just immediately sitting on it and could not be cajoled into 'standing tall'. I managed to catch a moment when Seth forgot himself for a minute and did actually take a step!
On Saturday we did have some success with Seth being encouraged to walk between Craig and Craig's dad.
Yesterday our physio came over and we agreed that we should remove the 'seat' support. He can't fall because there are still the supports under his arms that go round his chest. As soon as we did this, Seth was off! Before I was gently pushing the walker as he took a step so that he didn't have to pull the weight of the walker as he attempted to walk. But now there is no need, he was happily moving forward on his own. He's been in it today again and with the same happy success. No recorded evidence yet - I was too delightedly watching to think to grab my camera.
It arrived just before the Summer holidays began and we had limited success. During the trial Seth really enjoyed the walker. Okay he mainly liked how he could bounce but he also took some lovely steps. Since then as soon as I've put him in it, even if he has walked up to it (with me supporting him) as soon as he was in it he would just go limp and just hang there. One time he even fell asleep in it! The walker supports Seth at the chest, hips and under the arms. However, it also has a little 'seat' which is intended to just provide support when needed. However, Seth was just immediately sitting on it and could not be cajoled into 'standing tall'. I managed to catch a moment when Seth forgot himself for a minute and did actually take a step!
On Saturday we did have some success with Seth being encouraged to walk between Craig and Craig's dad.
Yesterday our physio came over and we agreed that we should remove the 'seat' support. He can't fall because there are still the supports under his arms that go round his chest. As soon as we did this, Seth was off! Before I was gently pushing the walker as he took a step so that he didn't have to pull the weight of the walker as he attempted to walk. But now there is no need, he was happily moving forward on his own. He's been in it today again and with the same happy success. No recorded evidence yet - I was too delightedly watching to think to grab my camera.
I'm looking forward to the recorded evidence, Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks - coming very soon :)
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