Adjustable Flamingo High Low Chair offers bathing and toileting independence for Tia and her family

Tia, a happy and engaging 3-year-old has just been introduced to R82’s height adjustable Flamingo High Low bathing and toileting chair.

Tia lives with parents, Lesley and David, in Pontypool, Wales, along with much-loved dog Gemma. The family home of 15 years has recently undergone major renovations, with the help of a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) provided by the local authority, to create optimal accessibility and provide the necessary space for Tia’s assistive equipment. This has included a through-floor lift installation from the lounge to Tia’s bedroom and a ceiling track hoist, also in Tia’s bedroom, to help move Tia safely and cater for her ongoing needs. An accessible shower room has also been created upstairs.

For Lesley and David, the renovations have helped to reduce the lifting and carrying required for Tia’s care. The alterations have also provided an ideal setting to enhance Tia’s independent living skills.

Having previously fostered many children with disabilities, Lesley is very astute and proactive in recognising Tia’s requirements. She has been encouraging her daughter’s sitting and standing capabilities and Tia is currently almost able to pull herself up into a standing position. Lesley comments: “We are aware that in the future,Tia will need the use of a powered wheelchair. At the moment, together with Tia’s Occupational and Physiotherapists, we are concentrating on improving Tia’s core stability so that she can gradually become more independent in her daily life. Tia currently wears splints on both legs and her left arm and has previously received Botulinum Toxin injections in her leg and may have further Botox in her left arm to enable movement. She currently cannot use this arm as much as her right due to increased muscle tone. It is generally tighter in a “fist” but we hope, in the future, she will be able to pull herself to standing from her bed. Having the correct equipment in place to support Tia’s development is vital.”

Tia previously used a DCS Joncare Seahorse bathing chair which did not meet her or the family’s needs. This was subsequently replaced with a standard R82 Flamingo chair which fitted Tia well but she continued to require lifting by her parents between showering and toileting. As the chair had to be lowered manually to be placed over the toilet, Tia needed to be removed after showering and laid on the bed while Lesley adjusted the chair. As prime carer, Lesley found this placed strain on her back and because of the time involved making manual adjustments, Tia often ended up using her potty. Lesley was keen to find an alternative solution that would meet the needs of a growing child and help her daughter improve her toileting skills.

Tia’s Occupational Therapist, Helena, recommended trialling R82’s Flamingo HighLow bathing and toileting chair to minimise the transitions in the bathroom and help develop Tia’s independence. As the Flamingo has an easy height adjustable feature, it allows her parents to perform bathing and hygiene tasks in a convenient and good working position. The chair offers simple tilt-in-space and back recline functions, to enable children to maintain a good seating position whilst completing essential care tasks in a safe way. It has optional accessories which can be used to provide extra support for the trunk, pelvis and feet with a choice of supports or upholstered sides to surround and support the shoulders. Available in four sizes, the Flamingo High Low is suitable from children into adulthood. Read more....