Disability Newsfeed for Disabled People, Parents, Carers, Occupational Therapists and AHPs

This cot has been developed for children who need safe surroundings at home or whilst travelling, such as those with severe Autism or challenging behaviour. This portable safe environment includes extensive padding with large windows for generous visibility and easy access for uncompromised care. The clever Home and Away design allows fast assembly and dis-assembly using strong zip and Velcro fastenings – hence repositioning is hassle-free. Each constituent section is lightweight so single-handed lifting and carrying is strain free and will fit in most standard cars. If young users required more postural variety then powered functionality can be added to the sleeping surface such as height adjustment and/or profiling. Variable height provides extra safety for carers as the risk of back injury can be eliminated as the need to bend when providing support is greatly reduced. As with all Theraposture products, the new Home and Away cot is a tailor-made, hand crafted solution. Each co...

Part of the Driving Mobility national network of driving assessment centres, East Anglian DriveAbility (EAD) has given Michael Burton from Chelmsford the all clear to continue driving with early stage dementia. Michael in the driving seat with East Anglian DriveAbility’s Assessor / Occupational Therapist Sophie Garratt. Driving Mobility oversees twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. EAD is part of this network with centres in Thetford and Colchester. In addition to driving assessments, its Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisors provide several additional services including guidance regarding specialist paediatric car seats and mobility scooters. Following his diagnosis Michael was referred by the DVLA to East Anglian DriveAbility for a comprehensive fitness-to-drive assessment. Michael’s wife, Sharon, comment...

Part of the Driving Mobility national network of driving assessment centres,  East Anglian DriveAbility (EAD)  has assisted Gary Gray from Braintree to discover motoring independence with a disability. Driving Mobility  oversees twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. EAD is part of this network with centres in Thetford and Colchester. In addition to driving assessments, its Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisors provide several additional services including guidance regarding specialist paediatric car seats and mobility scooters. Gary, 53 from Braintree, worked as a Mobile Tyre Fitter until he became ill with peripheral neuropathy in 2011, a condition which develops when nerves in the body’s extremities are damaged. He subsequently spent considerable time dealing with life-changing consequences ...

Overcoming her health challenges, Diana Whittaker from Sale, has regained invaluable driving independence through the support of the new  RDAC Driving Assessment centre  in Salford, Manchester. The charity,  Driving Mobility , accredits a UK network of twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. The new, custom-built RDAC centre in Salford serves people from Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire with assessments and practical advice for older and disabled drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and mobility scooter or wheelchair users. Diana lives with a variety of health issues including Cerebral Palsy, which in particular affects her limbs, and Osteoporosis. She has pins in her lower spine, a hip replacement and has experienced cancer twice. Due to health changes and deteriorating mobility, Diana found t...

In this video you will see the Theracare Leg Lifter : a cost-effective way to get legs into bed – independently and safely. The Theracare Leg Lifter from Theraposture has been designed to enable users to safely and easily get their legs into bed. This simple daily task can prove difficult or even impossible for many people who may have lost muscle tone and therefore strength and general mobility. The Leg Lifter is compatible with most types of bed whether they are non-adjustable or adjustable. It will comfortably lift legs up, over and onto the sleeping surface, requiring very little movement or repositioning. This Theraposture solution is unlike alternative leg lifters that simply lift the legs beside the bed, which is the key difference that distinguishes the Theracare Leg Lifter from many alternative devices available. The motor is quiet and strong enough to lift severely oedemic (swollen) legs. Reduce carer intervention, maximise independence and eliminate care costs with...

Claire Holtaway, 26 from Birkenhead, has achieved her goal to drive independently with Cerebral Palsy through the guidance and support of Merseyside’s  North West Driving Assessment Service. Claire Holtaway with Martin Vivers, Approved Driving Instructor Accredited by the national charity  Driving Mobility , North West Driving Assessment Service (NWDAS) is part of the Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust based in St Helens, Merseyside. Its specialist team of Occupational Therapists and Approved Driving Instructors provide professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. They have recently introduced car seat and harness assessment clinics for disabled children and mobility scooter assessments to their range of services. Claire, now age 26, developed an interest in learning to drive at the age of 19. Following discussions with several friends...

Theraposture’s latest addition to its extensive specialist rotating bed range, the new Rotoflex 235 Plus, has won the first Excellence in Caring Award at the OT Show 2018 . Selected by a panel of experienced healthcare professionals, the award-winning  Rotoflex 235 Plus  was deemed best product on show following a comprehensive review. Launched at the The OT Show, this latest Rotoflex from Theraposture was regarded as a solution ‘that will revolutionise the care environment for both service-users and carers alike’ and ‘enable clients to take an active role in their care.’ Shortlisted alongside many other innovations from other exhibitors, the Rotoflex 235 Plus excelled in all criteria – strengthened by a compelling end user testimonial which reaffirmed the significant care, financial and lifestyle benefits of this assistive product. Liam Braddell, Theraposture Sales Director comments: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award as it officially recognise...