When it comes to shower chairs, we often talk about the importance of adjustability, postural support, pressure relief and comfort – particularly when it comes to paediatric users.
Which is why we were delighted to speak to the mum of an 8-year old boy, who, with the OT, had struggled to find a chair that met his complex needs. Here, Ali, a Product Adviser at Wealden, speaks to her about her challenges and requirements, and why the RAZ ATP paediatric hygiene chair was the solution
What issues were you having with your previous chair?
Mum: The chair we had before was fine until he had his hip surgery, but afterwards he wasn't comfortable and didn’t feel safe in it. We looked at getting the next size up, but it was too big for him. We tried other chairs, but they only just fitted him and wouldn’t last very long. And the next size was always too big. The whole point of ordering something is for it to grow with him and last longer.
How did you come across the RAZ shower chair?
Mum: The OT found it and said to try it out. She was tearing her hair out to find something for him because he's so complex with his needs. His tones change, and he’s also a bit twisted. Because he’s not straight, the back and head support is really important. She recommended we try the RAZ.
And what were your thoughts when you tried the RAZ?
Mum: I was extremely impressed, even more so because I had my heart set on a different chair. When I saw the picture of the RAZ, I wasn’t too sure because the design looks a bit futuristic – I wasn’t sure it would be right for him. But when we tried it and saw all the padding and support, I was very, very impressed.
The RAZ has all the extra padding everywhere, including the footrest and behind his legs, which is important for him. He does a lot of kicking, and before we’d had trouble with him kicking metal. The RAZ padding stops this. Plus, the lateral and side supports and the pommel make him feel more secure.
Before, you mentioned how hard it was to find a chair that would grow with him and last longer. What did you think of the RAZ in this regard?
The RAZ should grow with him and can be adjusted quite easily, even with small things. Like the laterals – we can adjust them ourselves. We can also adjust the height for different toilets if we need to.
How do you find using the chair for toileting and showering?
Mum: That was actually a big consideration because our toilet is quite high with a board behind it, and he likes to be reclined a bit when toileting. So it’s easier and more comfortable to put a potty underneath than to put him over the top of the toilet. This is really easy with the RAZ – it tilts easily and it works well with the potty underneath.
With regards to showering, one thing I liked about another chair was that it was more mesh, so the water could go through. This was my biggest concern with the RAZ, actually. But the mesh didn’t give him enough support, and there’s no problem with the RAZ and water in that way.
Wealden also pointed out that mesh tends to support the body as a whole instead of targeting the support where he needs it, which is where the RAZ’s padding comes in. You also mentioned it doesn’t always last well because it can go mouldy, and we obviously didn’t want that.
What did you think of Wealden’s service?
Mum: We’ve gotten on very well with you. Making appointments was very easy, and cancelling appointments was very easy, too! (Because when you’ve got a special needs child, you never know…) But everyone was very quick and always got back to me. I was very satisfied with the service – thanks to everyone at Wealden.
Learn more about the RAZ ATP paediatric hygiene chair with tilt-in-space. It’s a multi-adjustable chair with a range of seat heights and depths, armrest heights and backrest angle adjustments as standard, so it meets your user’s precise needs – now and as they grow.
RAZ ATP paediatric hygiene chair was the solution.
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Case Study
This interview is the transcript of a recording made with the knowledge of the clients mother.
Read the product details or speak to a product adviser on 0845 658 8411 to discuss your requirements.
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