Using a STANDER- a parent's perspective- Trial & Error
I really dislike buying equipment. A few times now, I've been talked into the 'wrong' piece of equipment for my son by a well-intentioned therapist. Well, never again! I find that I prefer to go right to the source- those people that are using the equipment DAILY- the children and parents.
Our experiences with standers reflect this. The first stander we used for our son was when he was very young (maybe 2 or 3?). It was loaned to us by the hospital. It was handmade. Of course, this saved us a lot of money and the hassle of going through insurance or applying for funding, but it was cumbersome and (I believe) uncomfortable.
Our next experience with a stander was the Giraffe, shown here on the AdaptiveMall site: http://www.adaptivemall.com/giraffe.html It was also on loan as a trial from the hospital. The stander was 'ok' for our son, but it was also awkward. He wasn't (and still isn't) able to support all his weight by himself, so I had to try to support him in a standing position, while at the same time trying to fidget with the knee plate things and get them on and get him strapped in and all adjusted. I HATED it. I wanted to be able to put him in at any time, even when my husband wasn't home, but we really needed 2 people to do it- one to hold Cameron, the other to do all the stander stuff. Of course, I was impatient, and I would do it when I was the only adult, which was hard on my body to attempt, but also not the safest for my son.
With the next stander, the one we were purchasing, I did a LOT of research. I went to the appointment with the seating lady with the most appropriate one in my mind, ready for a fight. Surprisingly, she recommended the same type for him (yeah! a battle won). And we were able to get it paid for, which was another great battle won. What stander did we choose? The Magician EasyStand, as seen on this site: http://www.easystand.com/magician-comfy/index.cfm
Why was this stander so special?
As you can see from the moving photo, it starts in a sitting position, like a desk. I can walk him to it, sit him down in it, and by myself (no safety concerns) lift him into an upright position. I do have to be careful with the strap that moves (his gtube button is in the way), but other than that, I really like it. Oh, and the fact that after all that, Mr. Lazy Cameron likes to just rest his head on the tray. What a goof.
Do your research.
Trust your instinct.
Don't let them change your mind unless you want to!
Our experiences with standers reflect this. The first stander we used for our son was when he was very young (maybe 2 or 3?). It was loaned to us by the hospital. It was handmade. Of course, this saved us a lot of money and the hassle of going through insurance or applying for funding, but it was cumbersome and (I believe) uncomfortable.
Our next experience with a stander was the Giraffe, shown here on the AdaptiveMall site: http://www.adaptivemall.com/giraffe.html It was also on loan as a trial from the hospital. The stander was 'ok' for our son, but it was also awkward. He wasn't (and still isn't) able to support all his weight by himself, so I had to try to support him in a standing position, while at the same time trying to fidget with the knee plate things and get them on and get him strapped in and all adjusted. I HATED it. I wanted to be able to put him in at any time, even when my husband wasn't home, but we really needed 2 people to do it- one to hold Cameron, the other to do all the stander stuff. Of course, I was impatient, and I would do it when I was the only adult, which was hard on my body to attempt, but also not the safest for my son.
With the next stander, the one we were purchasing, I did a LOT of research. I went to the appointment with the seating lady with the most appropriate one in my mind, ready for a fight. Surprisingly, she recommended the same type for him (yeah! a battle won). And we were able to get it paid for, which was another great battle won. What stander did we choose? The Magician EasyStand, as seen on this site: http://www.easystand.com/magician-comfy/index.cfm
Why was this stander so special?
As you can see from the moving photo, it starts in a sitting position, like a desk. I can walk him to it, sit him down in it, and by myself (no safety concerns) lift him into an upright position. I do have to be careful with the strap that moves (his gtube button is in the way), but other than that, I really like it. Oh, and the fact that after all that, Mr. Lazy Cameron likes to just rest his head on the tray. What a goof.
Do your research.
Trust your instinct.
Don't let them change your mind unless you want to!
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