Paediatric Products

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This inflatable wedge-shaped cushion is designed to help kids develop naturally good posture. The wedge shape of the base can be inflated to the appropriate angle to support the child and is comfortable for kids to sit on, as well as being easy to store and transport. essentialaids.com | 01273 719 889

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SAFESPACE COSYFIT HIGH-SIDED BED

This high-sided bed offers children with limited mobility, or those at the risk of falling or hurting themselves in a traditional bed, a safe space to sleep. Ideal for use in the home, at school or in care settings, it is equipped with three padded side panels, one open front panel, and a mattress as standard. healthandcare.co.uk | 0207 720 2266

6 RAINMAKER

Creating noise through actions and movement is a wonderful activity for little ones, it helps develop an understanding of cause and effect, and this beautiful rainmaker will capture a little one’s attention instantly. Let kids wave, shake and roll this toy by holding the wooden handle and listen to the soothing sound of the beads cascading. kidly.co.uk

ADAPTIVE

STROLLING

Parents of disabled children who have complex postural needs often struggle to find suitable adaptive buggies and strollers to take their children out in. If a child uses a powerchair this can often limit the opportunities for travelling abroad or in the UK, due to challenges with transportation. Powerchairs are bulky and substantial in size and weight, often making it difficult to transport. Families may have everything set up perfectly at home for their child’s needs, and may use a wheelchair accessible vehicle to get around. Travelling through airports, in taxis, on buses, or undergrounds, can pose significant difficulties, and this can deter families from travelling further afield or make life very difficult when they do. Sourcing a folding stroller that can be transported easily and provide support, comfort and stability for their child would transform the lives of many families, and luckily we have discovered such a product available in the UK from Baffin Technology Systems, the Caretta Buggy. The unique thing about the owner of Baffin, Marzena Komisarczuk, is that she has a daughter who lives with cerebral palsy, which gives her great insight into what families with disabled children need. Her daughter Sylwia has been using a powerchair since the age of 12. Her grandparents live in Poland, so travelling to see them with a powerchair and trying to source a suitable vehicle to take Sylwia and her parents from the airport to their home in Katowice was never easy. However, in 2018, Baffin had started supplying the Caretta Buggy and Marzena knew straight away that it would make things easier as it has been designed to be easily folded to fit in a standard car boot, yet can be used by children and young adults between 130cm and 160cm (4’3” – 5’3”) in height with a maximum weight of 55kg (121lbs). “Sylwia still uses a powerchair when we are at home in the UK as we have a suitable vehicle so it is not a problem, but the Caretta makes life so much easier when we are in Poland and means Sylwia can really enjoy her time with her grandparents. The first time we travelled to Poland with the Caretta, everything was so much easier and it also meant Sylwia could go out for the day just with her grandparents as they felt relaxed using the Caretta,” explained Marzena. Sylwia finds the Caretta very comfortable because she feels secure and is able to sit and change the seating position to recline or tilt. This feeling of comfort and security is replicated in her Baffin Trio standing frame which features Baffin’s patented and innovative Second Spine® Technology system and pioneering balance seat which have been designed to create and support optimal positioning of the user’s spine and pelvis. The Caretta Buggy is the ideal adaptive stroller for children and young adults who require support when moving around or sitting. A five-point safety harness/ vest and straps stabilise the pelvis to ensure the user can be transported in comfort while maintaining the correct postural position at all times. In addition to being small enough when folded to fit in most standard car boots, the Caretta has also been crash tested. Further comfort is provided by the headrest system which ensures the head is supported at all times and the height of the headrest, side supports and tilt function of the seat can all be easily adjusted. Marzena set up Baffin Technologies with the sole purpose of sourcing suitable equipment for her daughter, but has turned into a successful and busy company that allows Marzena to help families like her own. “When I speak to parents’ and explain the journey behind me setting up Baffin Technology Systems, I think they relax as they know I can truly empathise with their situation and the challenges they face on a day-today basis. I love my job and I know I am very lucky to be someone who looks forward to Sunday evening as I can’t wait to get to work on Monday morning and start helping more families benefit for the Baffin solutions which have changed my daughter’s life. Hearing about the positive impact we have on a child’s life makes my job incredibly rewarding and is exactly why I set up the company in the first place,” concluded Marzena. For more information on the full range of products available from Baffin Technology Systems or to arrange an assessment, call 01788 892 056, email office@baffin.co.uk or visit baffin.co.uk.

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