What is an “appropriate” wheelchair?
WHO states that a wheelchair is appropriate when:
It meets the user’s needs and environmental conditions; provides proper fit and postural support; is safe and durable; is available in the country; and can be obtained, maintained and serviced in the country at an affordable cost.
It prevents dangerous secondary complications (like aspiration and pressure sores) and is an important tool enabling inclusion.
Wheelchairs should always be supported by wheelchair services including assessment, prescription, specialized seating, follow up and repair as well as training for users, carers and family.
Without these services, wheelchairs can cause more harm than good and are often abandoned.
What is 24 hour positioning?
Have you ever been on a long haul flight or car ride, with very little space to move or stretch?
None of us are geared to spend all day in the same position. 24 hour positioning is the practice of using special positioning equipment or even everyday objects (like pillows, blankets, tables) to place someone with an impairment in different positions.
24 hour positioning ensures that good postures are maintained when spending time out of a wheelchair to rest or take part in activities.
Watch How we design our products to meet the needs of children in South Africa!
Contact us today to make an appointment, or for a referral to your nearest seating practitioner.
Why is assessment so important?
It may seem simple enough to buy a secondhand wheelchair, or use a baby stroller for your child, but this can spell trouble as using the wrong device for long periods of time can lead to serious health issues like pressure sores and deformities. A trained seating practitioner can assess your child and help to find the perfect device.
If you live outside of South Africa or far from a trained seating practitioner, we can provide support to help your local therapist, community rehab worker or clinic staff carry out the assessment remotely.
Contact us to book an assessment or talk to our team for advice.
Click below for our clinical forms for assessment, measurement, and consent:
Clinical and Administration Notes
Interim Wheelchair Assessment and Prescription Form
Why is fitting so important?
Some children need extra support to sit upright. They may have uncontrolled movements like spasms, joint stiffness, muscle tightness, weakness or fatigue, pain, discomfort or difficulty balancing. All these influence the fitting process. An ill-fitting device (including cushion) is damaging to the child’s body and may cause serious harm.
Why are customisations sometimes necessary?
Some children need extra support in a wheelchair. Some customisations are simple, and can be done during the fitting e.g. adding foam inserts or extra strapping, or adding a block to raise the footrest. Others may take longer and involve the construction of special supports. A technician is often involved during the fitting to make these changes with the seating practitioner.
What happens after a fitting?
Fitting is checked at 3-4 monthly reviews when the therapist checks in with you to see how you are doing with your device. Further modification can be made as needed. A seating practitioner may recommend an additional positioning device, top-up carer training or further referral for support or services.
These reviews are important for children and young adults whose bodies are growing and changing.
Contact us to book an assessment or talk to our team for advice.
Blue Line (second life) Projects
Millions of children in South Africa are on long waiting lists for a device. Our Blue Line Project is focused on identifying abandoned or second hand Shonaquip devices and giving them a great second, third or even a fourth lease on life. Where necessary, we disassemble, strip and recoat these devices in Shonaquip blue. Because our products are built to last, this ensures that the devices go back into the community as fully refurbished, cost effective and guaranteed blue line products.
We can only run this blue line project with your help. Together with our partners, DSV Global Transport and Logistics, we would like to find all those outgrown, abandoned or damaged devices. Through the project, we can ensure that children who have no access to a wheelchair or a buggy get the chance to sit up and be included!
Based on the condition of the donated device, we may be able to offer value credit to spend on spares, or a new Shonaquip device. Every buggy or wheelchair saved from the scrapheap provides another child with a safe way to be included in the community.
Please contact us should you have any second hand devices you wish to donate to our Blue Line project.
Contact our Repair & Refurbish Department directly or call and ask to speak to our Repair & Refurbish Department on 021 797 8239 or email David at david@shonaquipse.org.za
Contact us for more information.
