Enjoying time in the kitchen was not always thought of as possible. When Loghan was eight months old, the doctors said she would never sit up unassisted, never crawl and never walk.
Loghan has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Unable to walk, Loghan was also non-verbal but her parents were hopeful that they could get her to the point where she could stand with support to help her development. This would also reduce the physical impact on her parents of having to lift Loghan.
Through the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Loghan’s mum, Bec, was put in touch with TAD who then consulted with Renee Millar, the Alliance’s physiotherapist. TAD volunteers set about designing and making an Access Platform and Rail and a customised rocker board.
“We tried everything really but nothing is as supportive as her rocker board and supported step,” says Bec.
“Before we had the balance board and step, Loghan had no support to pull herself up to stand. Loghan is now standing up on her supported step at the kitchen bench, playing with her baking set.“
Bec is delighted at how confident Loghan has become and how much her independence has improved because of the simple items made by TAD Volunteers Tom Yelland and Alan Stone.
Loghan uses the steps and the rocker board every day. She especially likes climbing onto the step to the kitchen bench to supervise while mum is cooking. Her favourite is helping to make cupcakes and muffins, which she couldn’t do before the family got the step.
As Bec says, “She wasn’t interested before but now uses it every day, even just to watch what is going on.”
As well as enhancing the quality of Loghan’s life and fostering her independence, the board and step has also had a positive impact on the lives of her parents.
“Physically we are struggling. Loghan is the size and weight of an average 5 year old. I struggle to lift her and change her.”
Now that Loghan can pull herself up to stand with the support of the step, the physical strain on her two mums is significantly reduced.
“The volunteers and therapists were wonderful, very supportive and understanding. We are so very grateful for TAD. We feel so very blessed to have this equipment made specifically for Loghan.”
