Creating a wooden toybox for someone with CP

jacobtb

Hello,

I am making a wooden toy box for a boy with CP. The goal of this toy box is to make it as risk-free and easy to use for the mother and possibly the boy in the future.

My current concept and ideas to achieve this is to have rounded & sanded edges so that in the case of the boy falling or have CP related symptoms then their is less chance of injury. The next is to have slow closing hinges so that if their are any fingers in the way or the mother wants to have the lid open for extended periods of time so that she can organize the box without having to hold the lid. Inside the toy box will be a tray that will sit on groves that extend from the box walls so that the mother can place toys on the tray to then give to the boy on the floor to play with, this allows the boy with CP to get the stimulation of being able to select his own toys from a 'box' when playing; whilst making the clean up easier. The Feet are also inside the perimeter of the box to prevent accidental hits on peoples feet and objects in the room

The dimensions are based from the dimensions in the living space but the height is based from the average ergonomic seating height so that it can be used as temporary seating. The feet are high enough off the ground to allow for the vacuum and to fit underneath & to clear the skirting around the wall so that the box can sit flush against the wall.

And because it is available I will be engraving a cartoon car into the side of the toy box to make it more appealing to the boy. 

This is a concept design of the toy box.


I am just looking for feedback & any other ideas for the toybox to make it fit for purpose and safe for the boys environment. 

Cher_Alumni

Hello @jacobtb and a warm welcome to our community.  Thank you for thinking about us when getting feedback about your design idea.

I must say, I'm really impressed with the level of thought you've put into it and the consideration you've given to keeping the toy box as risk free as possible.  Well done.

I personally don't have experience of Cerebral Palsy (CP) however I'm tagging in my colleague @Richard_Scope, our resident CP information specialist, so he can offer his thoughts.  Also, I've moved this post to our CP category so it's better visible to others who have CP.

Good luck and again, bravo.  

janer1967

Looks brill to me maybe add a padded  seat cover  to the top if intended to sit on as well 

Well done for putting so much thought into this 

Sandy_123

Hi @jacobtb welcome to the forum and your toy box looks fab

forgoodnesssake

The slow closing lid is definitely a very good idea.  We had (actually still have!) a box of this sort that we got in Ikea about 20 years ago when boys (one with CP) were young and it has that slow lid closure.  I like the tray idea too...ours was just a box, and yes he did topple in sometimes, but didn't seem to mind!