Amanda – Providing Controlled and Safe Movement in a Wheelchair

Amanda is a 28-year-old young woman with the diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy who is also legally blind. She lives in a group home and has enough vision to self-propel her ultralight manual wheelchair around the home and yard. Tamara, an Occupational Therapist with over 40 years of experience, has followed Amanda since she was an infant. Amanda’s love of rocking in her chair led her to Dynamic Seating and access to controlled and safe movement in a wheelchair.

Before Amanda received Dynamic Seating, she tended to lean forward and then throw her trunk rearward, colliding with the back of the seating system. She would do so repeatedly. This rocking movement was leading to wear and tear on the wheelchair frame and placing her at risk of the wheelchair tipping over, which could lead to injury. When the wheel locks were engaged, Amanda’s rocking led to the wheelchair ‘walking’ across the room as her forceful movements translated into movement of the frame. If attempts were made to limit her rocking (i.e. anterior trunk support), Amanda would become agitated and less alert. Activity has always been important to her. Download to read more. 

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** This post was originally published on https://www.seatingdynamics.com/2019/11/18/amanda-providing-controlled-and-safe-movement-in-a-wheelchair/

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