Is there something in your life that is more tricky because of your impairment? Have you searched for a solution but been unable to find help? Remap is a charity that provide custom-made equipment for disabled people for free. David is here to tell us a little more.
I’m writing to tell everyone
about a charity I work for called Remap. It’s a great little charity that
provides custom-made equipment for disabled people of all ages, free of charge.
Here’s how it works. We have a
network of over 900 volunteers who are engineers, technicians & makers and
they are organised in local groups. Remap receives thousands of requests for help
each year – some from disabled people or their families, some from occupational
therapists or other medical professionals. We then join people together,
sending skilled volunteers to visit the people who need an item of equipment.
If there’s a solution on the
market we will suggest you get that – Remap helps in cases where there is no
suitable item available, or where the item you have needs to be modified or
adapted.
So here’s an example. Chloe is
four years old and like many other little girls she loves horse riding and
wants to ride alongside her big sister. However Chloe has cerebral palsy and
cannot walk. She needs to improve her core strength if she is ever going to walk
and horse riding is a good way of achieving this, but somebody has to walk
alongside her, supporting her as she rides.
Chloe’s mum Emily was keen to
find some other way of supporting Chloe in the saddle so that she could ride
unaided, but where do you find such a specialist piece of equipment? The local
riding club could not help and it was clear that what was needed was something
very specific or bespoke. Emily got in touch with Remap and one of our
volunteers, Stephen Boulter, went to see them.
Before long Stehpen had designed
and made Chloe a special saddle support based on a chest cuff that goes under
her arms. This enables Chloe to ride unassisted, providing safe and effective
support whilst promoting the use of her core muscles. She can be released
quickly and easily and the device is durable, weatherproof, easily cleaned and
lightweight. Chloe can now go horse riding by
herself. She loves this and can also ride with her sister and even enter
competitions.
This project is typical of
Remap’s work. Our aim at Remap is to help disabled people become more
independent and enjoy a better quality of life. Last year we helped over 3,500
people in this way and we give the equipment free of charge in every case. Other recent examples include:
·
Piano wrist support – a gadget to take the weight of the
arm through a wrist support to help someone play the piano
·
Sensor
controls for wheelchair dancers - enabling wheelchair dancers to
control the wheelchair from sensors attached to armbands and a headband. The
chair moves in response to movement of the head or arm.
·
Eating aid
for double amputees – a simple aid that enables amputees to eat
independently while they are waiting for prosthetic limbs
·
Cup holder
for one-handed washing up – a simple device that holds a cup or mug
still, in the sink, so you can wash it up using one hand.
·
The lorry
bed - Remap volunteers made a bed for a one year old boy, based on a lorry
design. The front swings open so he can get in and out by himself, as mum has fibromyalgia and can’t lift him.
·
Joystick for riser/recliner armchair – a riser/recliner armchair was
converted from push-button control to joystick control. Made for James whose
neurological condition meant he could not hold the original controller.
There’s much more information on
the website of course at www.remap.org.uk or you can phone the national office on
01732 760209.
Do you have a challenge for
Remap? Remember, we help where there is nothing suitable on the market and give
the equipment free of charge.
