DEMAND Design & Manufacture for Disability
Helping disabled people live life their way with custom made equipment
Elliott needs to use a wheelchair but his little sister struggles to keep up when their mum takes them out. One of our ever popular buggy boards proved just the ticket. Chelsea now gets to ride around with Elliott when they head out together as a family.
“Aiden has been severely disabled since contracting pneumococcal meningitis when he was only 11 months old. Despite this we try to do as much as possible as a family as we love an adventure!
We have not all been able to cycle together as a family so we contacted DEMAND and asked for their help. They made us a lightweight trailer on which Aiden’s buggy sits securely. The trailer can be dismantled and fi ts easily into the boot of our car.
Since DEMAND made the trailer we have had lots of fun cycling as a family. Aiden likes the feeling of riding along in the fresh air and we all enjoy the fact we can do an activity together. After a fantastic holiday we are already looking for more trails to explore!” – Aiden’s Mum Jill
Amy is 19 and has Cerebral Palsy. She loves to use her laptop and iPod station but finds them difficult to access on her table due to the height of her wheelchair.
Our team recycled the gas lift mechanism from an adjustable bar stool to create a height adjustable and rotating work station. The circular table top includes shaped cut outs to allow her to achieve the best possible working position.
Amy now has the freedom to use her laptop and iPod station whenever she wants.
Seventeen year old John from Huddersfield has cerebral palsy. He had two problems with his wheelchair which we were asked to help with. Involuntary leg spasms caused the footplates to lift up, which could injure John, and when using the chair outdoors he couldn’t see people walking around him. We solved these problems by making special brackets to hold his feet in position, and by fitting a rear view mirror to the arm of the chair. John can now use the chair safely and is fully aware of his surroundings.
Jack and his twin sister Rebecca, who live in Watford, were both born with Cerebral Palsy, which affects the movement of their legs. Their physiotherapist believed that if the twins could be encouraged to pedal a tricycle, it would improve their chances of being able to walk in later life. Our team modified two children’s tricycles, provided through the generous support of the local Watford community, to suit their particular needs. Jack and Rebecca now enthusiastically and energetically ride their trikes whenever they can.
Klicea is a keen artist who has cerebral palsy. She has limited use of her arms so uses her mouth to draw. However, she finds it difficult to do so on her flat school table and needed some help. Klicea’s Occupational Therapist contacted DEMAND with the problem and as a result our team designed a height and angle adjustable table, complete with back light, which allows Klicea to draw more comfortably and enjoy her art anywhere around the school.
Melek is 5 and goes to school in St Albans. She was born with an undiagnosed condition which has left her severely disabled both physically and mentally. At school Melek uses a wheelchair with a tray attached, but was unwittingly hurting herself by getting her arm trapped between the armrest of the wheelchair and the tray.
Our team produced a new tray design which prevented Melek’s arm from getting trapped. It had the added advantage of being made from a more practical material than the original. Melek’s teachers and physiotherapist are thrilled with the outcome.
Michael is paralysed from the neck down. He operates the controls of his wheelchair with his chin, but doesn’t have the same level of control of his movements that he once did. If he accidentally presses two buttons at once the chair’s control system shuts down as a safety precaution and has to be reset. This had to be done by a carer so when Michael was on his own he was unable to move.
Our team made a hinged protective cover for one of the switches which Michael is able to raise and lower with his chin in order to operate the second button when necessary. Michael is no longer in danger of being left stranded.
Diane has Lymphoedema and when sitting, her legs and feet become uncomfortable and painful. To help prevent this she elevates her feet using cushions at different heights, depending on the severity of her discomfort. Diane required a foot stool which she could easily change the height of by herself.
Our team designed an electric ‘high-low’ foot stool, which allows Diane to adjust the height using a remote and keep herself comfortable.
Muscular dystrophy causes Yoma, who is forty one, to spend a lot of time in a wheelchair. At home in Oxfordshire, Yoma loves to cook, and with support she can stand and prepare meals in the kitchen. She and her partner, Peter, asked DEMAND to design a support that she could move around the kitchen.
Our team modified their chopping block and fitted it with wheels and brakes that default to ‘on’. This block supports Yoma as well as doing it’s usual job in food preparation. When she wants to move across the kitchen, Yoma pulls a lever to release the brakes. Both Yoma and Peter are delighted with the result which gives Yoma much more independence.