On Jayden’s chair, there are thoracic fins and a footrest, made and added by volunteer Detlef Czerniejewski.
However, Jayden was still tending to droop in his chair. His mother Gaylene had seen a similar chair being used with a padded liner, and thought this might help to keep him in position as well as providing a bit of comfort. She asked if TAD could make something similar.
Mayo Brumby, a TAD Volunteer, created a pattern from the existing liner, and made it using quilted fabric bound with bias binding like the bean bags. Again, these have proved popular and she has since made several more, to the dimensions needed for each individual child.
Jayden has now grown stronger and no-longer needs the liner at preschool. “We may use it again when he is at school,” Gaylene said. “It depends on the different chairs. As he gets older he may be able to use it to sit on one of our breakfast bar chairs, so he feels like everyone else.”
“We also still use the liner to keep him safe when we take him out on the boat. Otherwise I have to hold him the whole time, and after a while it is a big load on your muscles to hold someone and keep your balance when the boat is moving.”
Jayden also has a Freedom Wheels bike. It has the usual larger seat and outrigger wheels, plus footcups, hip and thoracic supports, modified handlebars and a tow handle.
