Author name: 5dmin

Recently, the ATSA Daily Living Expo was held at Rosehill Racecourse. It was great to see many end users and therapists in attendance. The atmosphere was electric and there was certainly a noticeable buzz around disability equipment. For those who were unable to attend and missed the GTK Rehab stand, our theme was all about […]

When was the last time you considered the pelvic floor in seating and positioning? What is its relationship with the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles? Some years ago we attended the International Seating Symposium in Nashville. With many great sessions to select from, George decided to attend sessions that challenged his way of thinking. One

Sydney is Australia’s best-known city and one of its top tourist destinations. Well known for its amazing natural beauty, Sydney offers many attractions, including climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, swimming in Sydney’s stunning beaches, admiring the Sydney Opera House or strolling through the Royal Botanical Gardens. The seductive combination of land and sea makes it

Paratriathlon’s were first experienced at the 2016 Brazilian Paralympics. Their introduction there brought them into the spotlight for athletes of all skills and levels. Paratriathlons are in many regards the pinnacle of athletic performance, skill, and endurance. The event challenges participants to swim a distance of 750 meters, before climbing aboard their handcycle or tandem

One of the first things to consider when scripting a power wheelchair is what kind of base will work best for the client. But why is the base type, or the drive wheel location, so important? The drive wheel location, be it rear, mid or front wheel drive, greatly impacts on how the wheelchair drives

We know that for many clinicians, making adjustments to manual wheelchairs is intimidating. It can be hard to know which size of tool to use, and what bolt or screw does what. Plus there’s always the worry that you’ll break something on your client’s wheelchair and inconvenience them. To help, we’ve put together a brief

A manual wheelchair is more than just a mobility device. For an individual who needs one, it is the gateway for their social, employment and leisure engagement. A well set up manual wheelchair can be equally important in giving independence in the areas of self-care, transfers, driving, posture management and other functional goals relevant to

There have been significant technological advances over the past 10 years which has seen improvements to manual wheelchair options available to the Australian market. There is now more choice than ever before in the type, style, and price range of the wheelchair you select. But with all those options available, choosing the right wheelchair for

Selecting the right wheelchair can make an immeasurable difference to the quality of life for those that require mobility help. A powered wheelchair can be a great option for people of all capabilities, and with advances in motor and battery technologies, they can now run for longer and further than ever before. Manual vs. Powered

Programming your power wheelchair for optimal driving can make all the difference in improving independence and safety. For example, a chair that is too sensitive can offset a primitive reflex in a child with cerebral palsy. A chair that stops suddenly may not be ideal for a C3 quad with minimal trunk balance. Our team

Report by Nicola Falconer A recent study has found the presence of chronic lower limb oedema (CLLO) in multiple sclerosis patients (MS) to be 62% . These findings were reported by Dr Vaughan Keeley, Derby Hospital, UK, at the Asia Pacific Lymphology conference held in Darwin last month. People who have MS often experience swollen

At this year’s International Seating Symposium, one of the stand-out keynote addresses was Michael Boninger on the subject of brain-computer interface (BCI) wheelchair control. The implications of this technology for our immobile clients are astounding. In 2013, Collinger & Boninger et al published the results of a survey they conducted that interviewed people with spinal

The syllabus was recently released for the International Seating Symposium held last month in Vancouver. One of the more interesting talks that caught our eye was the use of gaming technology to enhance wheelchair skills presented by Ed Giesbrecht. There have been numerous attempts for commercial game consoles to develop wheelchair specific applications for leisure.

This guide will help wheelchair users maximise their batteries for long-life and peace of mind when out and about. Click the link below to print out a handy guide. Battery Installation Always have your batteries installed by a professionally trained wheelchair technician so they are installed safely and correctly. Never mix different battery manufacturers or

Most parents will purchase a stroller for their child at some point. It’s an invaluable accessory for getting around with a child or baby. But choosing the right stroller can be difficult. There are hundreds of different designs and styles available, all with their own advantages. Picking the best stroller for you and your child

Children learn through movement. Through exploring their environment they learn and develop skills. Movement provides sensory feedback and allows children to discover what their bodies can do and how they can make changes to their world. As children begin to roll, crawl and walk their world expands and opportunities for achieving milestones develop naturally. What

A wheelchair is an invaluable aid to assist people with disabilities to move around and lead a normal life. But many people are still under the incorrect impression that a wheelchair means they can no longer enjoy the hobbies and activities they once did or seek out new ones. How we move, or what we

Ever struggled to push up a slight slope? Have you sat in your car whilst your kids are at football training? Do you get wrist and shoulder pain from pushing all day? Has your therapist been encouraging you to consider a powered wheelchair? If you have answered yes to one or all of these questions,

A case study by Kim Owens and Gemma Daly, Occupational Therapists from Middlesbrough Social Services shows that implementation of a 24 hour Postural Care program in a Care Home environment can result in the reduction of contractures and improvements in quality of life and ease of care. Seven residents were selected for the study from