Active Mobility Center says to Emb(race) Everyone

Emb(race) is an event put on by Stand Among Friends at FAU to support diversity.  Active Mobility Center was pleased to support the 4th annual race on February 23rd of 2014. Hundreds of people came out to support this all-inclusive family fun event that features a 5k & 10k walk/run and one mile family walk; all to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Their programs help them transition to greater independence; learn work, technology and social skills while emphasizing their talents, interests and education. We help them realize and achieve their career aspirations and widen their social opportunities--so they can experience a meaningful life, both personally and professionally.

Through a comprehensive employment program, state-of-the-art assistive technology program and lab, vocational evaluations and community outreach efforts, Stand Among Friends helps people regain their independence and dignity. Over 1,200 individuals have participated in our programs and we have placed over 500 individuals in active employment.

The Disabilities Center is located on the campus of the Florida Atlantic University in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton, Florida. The Center, which is designated as a Center of Excellence in the State of Florida University system, coordinates research efforts to develop new approaches, products and services for people with all disabilities.

Thanks to all that came out ad supported this event. Carey Britton, seating and mobility specialist, can be reached at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com or 954-946-5793.

Who knew how large the Boating Beach Bash was?

6th Anniversary

For the past several years, Active Mobility Center has been an exhibitor for this event, held at Spanish River Park each spring. This event which started off as an offering of boat rides for people with disabilities; has become a premier event in South Florida. I was fortunate to have been invited to a planning meeting this week for this event, and not only found some amazing people involved; but had no idea how large this event had become.   This years event is shaping up to be the largest and best yet. Each year, this event is busier, but I was unaware that the attendance was over 5000 people in one day.

There are some real surprises added to the 2014 event, that you will not want to miss.

Mark your calendars for:
      Boating Beach Bash
      Spanish River Park, Boca Raton
      March 22nd from 10am to 3pm
     

This article was provided by Carey Britton, Seating and Mobility Specialist at Active Mobility Center. He can be reached at 954-946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com .

Adaptive Car Seats

This week, we were fortunate to have Debra Britton provide a presentation on Car Seat Positioning Equipment. This is a regular training program at Active Mobility Center to promote and educate products to the staff, customers and professionals. If you have an interest in any specific products or services, let our office know so you can receive an invite to the programs.

Car seats are essential and mandatory for small children in motor vehicles. As children grow, or have seating and positioning needs greater than a off the shelf carseat, an Adaptive Car Seat may be necessary.  Off the shelf car seats have been crash tested as they sit so it is not recommended to add any foam/changes to these systems. Although this may work well, it changes the product and places any legal responsibility on this person in the event an accident arises.

Car Seats can be a challenge for parents with special needs, as they are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance carriers. Medicare (Sadmerc) determined coding, and Car Seats as a transportation device and used outside the home are not covered items.  It is important to note that there are alternative funding sources that may be able to help.

Car Seats are more safe than transporting children in their primary mobility systems (ie. wheelchairs) even if transport brackets are added. Transport Brackets, also not funded through most insurance, although allow a place to strap a wheelchair into a bus or van, are not intended, as stated in their owner's manuals, with the use to be seated in the chair while it is strapped down.  Tie downs are a topic for another presentation. 

There are several products available for this purpose including products from; Columbia Medical, Convaid, SnugSeat, and Thomashilfin.  These products should not be looked at as a one product fits all, and each have certain benefits which can help a particular child.

Car Seats

The Traveller Plus EL, Carrie, Hippo, and IPS are all adaptive Car Seats. These system are similar to off the shelf systems, but are larger, and offer more padding and support to provide support and stability for a special needs child/adult.  These systems allow for a 30 pound to over 100 pound person to use them with the abililty to adjust many of them in seat depth. Some of these offer foot supports and some allow the feet to hang.

Booster Car Seats

This category comprised of the Recaro, and Pilot offer another option for support and adjustability. These systems look more like the off the self booster / car seat systems. They work really well, but have limitations in width adjustment.

More Supportive Car Seats

Recently the Carrot and Spirit systems have entered the market, offering supports similar to what you would see in a wheelchair in a car seat. For larger and involved clients needing extensive support; these systems may be the answer.

Common Questions

How do I know what product to Pick?
These products range from $500 to several thousand depending on the options and needs. Choosing a product should include the assistance of a Physiatrist, Physical or Occupational Therapist and a Seating Specialist. Since this equipment is expensive, you do not want to waste valuable resources on the wrong product.

Where do I get these products?
Most Seating and Mobility companies stock Demo's of these products and can assist you in trialing them for fit, and helping make recommendations after discussing the vehicle and assessing the patient with a therapist or physician.

Who Installs these products in my vehicle?
This is getting more difficult due to our litigious society.  There are certified people in the community who install car seats and should be consulted if after reading the directions you have any concerns or questions.

We want to Thank Debra for providing an outstanding training program and look forward to her next topic.  This article was re-written by Carey Britton, Seating Specialist for Active Mobility Center. Carey can be reach at (954) 946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com .

 

Special Needs Grocery Cart

Did you know there are grocery carts made for special needs children? I was recently made aware that a family who founded Parent Solution Group, LLC where they struggled with taking their child shopping to the grocery store. This is a regular problem I hear from families I work with and this could really help with everyday life.  Trying to push and navigate with  a wheelchair/stroller and grocery cart is challenging to impossible, making families make arrangements to make a  trip to the store.

A local South Florida Publix is testing a special needs shopping cart at 1180 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Store #362 on the corner of Okeechobee Blvd.. The phone # is 561-790-4802. They are... using Caroline's Carts, which enables you to put a larger disabled child into a special seat on the front of the cart. You can see the cart at their website http://www.carolinescart.com/. Please tell your friends an families know about this important test, if we don't prove a need, then obviously they won't put them in other stores! See the store manager and ask for one in your home store.

 

This article was provided by Carey J. Britton, Seating and Mobility Specialist, for Active Mobility Center and can be reached at (954) 946-5793 or cbritton@wheelchairguys.com.