Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

98 I guIdelInes on the provIsIon of manual wheelchaIrs In less resourced settIngs
Box 4.1.
Wheelchairs changing lives …
Testimonial from a user in South Africa
Caitlin is three years old and lives in Cape Town, South
Africa. Caitlin has cerebral palsy, is unable to walk
and has great difficulty speaking. When she
turned two, Caitlin’s physiotherapist
suggested her parents get her a special
child’s wheelchair. At that time, Caitlin
spent most of the day lying on the
floor or in her parents’ arms. She was
very frustrated and irritable, and cried
often. Her parents were referred to a small
wheelchair service in Cape Town, where
Caitlin was assessed. The service prescribed
a wheelchair with a special insert to help
support Caitlin. Her parents had to raise
funds to pay for the wheelchair, which she
received just as she turned two.
Caitlin’s parents say: “When we first sat Caitlin down in her new wheelchair, to our
amazement she immediately knew what to do. Ever since then we have noticed a
major difference and improvement in Caitlin. She is less frustrated, more motivated,
enjoys being independent, loves chasing other kids while sitting in her wheelchair and
thoroughly enjoys the outdoor life. The chair has given Caitlin and us new found hope for
the future, and a normal life as far as possible. Believe it or not, for two years we did not
know we had a child in the house, but with this chair our princess is doing her thing and
is always up to mischief.”
Caitlin is happier and more active since she received her wheelchair. She is also making
good physical progress. Her therapists report
testimonial
that her overall posture has improved,
that she is stronger and that she has better trunk and head control. Caitlin’s speech has
improved, owing to her improved posture and mobility, and she is also learning sign
language as a means of broadening the ways she can communicate.