Linda desired to give her severely motor affected students the
chance to develop and devised equipment and curriculum to do so. One of the
primary pieces of equipment is a Rifton gait trainer. The new ones are 15
pounds and folding!!
They have all the prompts necessary to support the trunk
and arms, and prevents scissoring of the feet and legs. Our daughter can use
the gait trainer to walk independant of us, even though her tone has
prevented her from doing anything else independantly.
This gait trainer is
designed so that the supports can be removed as time goes by and she gets
stronger and more independant. The only way to get the
use of her body is to use it. The gait trainer facilitates that
vital practice.
Linda Bidabe "jerry-rigged" the very first
conception of a gait-trainer for one of her students and found
it worked. She then had a difficult time even getting equipment companies to
be willing to make a gait trainer.
Eventually Rifton became involved and they have become
a highly motivated team to create the best piece of equipment possible.
If you call Rifton, you should be able to receive a video of
children actually using this gait trainer.
We have had the heavier, non-folding version, which has
worked for us, but it has limited our ability to take it with us.
I called Rifton for a catalog with the lighter weight folding
gait trainers and a video came with it. Try asking for the
video to be sure it comes with your catalog.
Evan did not like the gait trainer at first (she was about 2 years old when
she first started using hers and it was maybe a year before she started to
advance it much on a level surface), she became high tone and did not lift
those stiff legs. After much squabble and finding out that I wasn't backing
up, she has now learned that the gait trainer is wonderful. She will ask for
the gait trainer now. We stack laundry detergent boxes about 4 feet high and
she walks into them and crashes them over. She and I were racing on our
carport, she in her gait trainer and me in our computer chair.
There are other parts to the M.O.V.E. applications that specificallly target
independant sitting and other functions
that are most critical for daily function. This is a non-profit
organization and has become world recognized for it's
accomplishments.
For children still enrolled in their state's early intervention,
I would highly recommend seeking out the Rifton "Pacer"
while the early intervention program would be in place
for the funding. The price with all the prompts attaced is
approximately $1200. You will most likely need the PT that sees the child
to make the recommendation. Sometimes we have to get the info and prompt the
folks helping us to go in specific directions. Some insurance will pay for
Durable Medical Equipment at 80% with a 20% deductible.
This link below gives a list of sites in the U.S. and there is a web link to
sites in the UK.
MOVE International :
Model Sites
Sincerely,
Joan