Remap is a charity which works with volunteers, who use their skills to develop unique pieces of special equipment, which are needed for disable people to be more independent. We have previously covered Remap in more detail, and you can click here for more on them.

Today we´re looking at Remapedia; a webpage where Remap shares some of the instances where they have been particularly successful. Remapedia also includes more information for people with disabilities, volunteers and medical professionals.

Here are some examples of equipment Remap has developed.

1. Walking aid extension

Brian has multiple sclerosis and he is dependent on a walking aid. When his physiotherapist recommended a new one he couldn’t use a delta rollator because he is 6ft 7 in height. Volunteers from Remap solved the problem by inserting a special extension piece, “making the rollator the correct height for Brian to use it comfortably”.

2. Arm support for harp player

The person who asked Remap for help with this issue plays an Autoharp, but she cannot stay in the playing position for long because she suffers from neck and shoulder problems. An arm support, which was created using a strong drummers stand and an office chair arm support, now helps her to have greater freedom of movement. 

3. Remote control for wheelchair

Sue who has multiple sclerosis uses an electrically powered wheelchair. She drives an adapted car, but once she was in the car, the wheelchair was marooned on the pavement. She wanted to control it remotely. A volunteer solved her problem “using a multi-channel model aircraft system and adapting it so that Sue could operate the controls on the wheelchair from the driving seat of her car”. Sue feels now, according to Remap, that she is free and more independent.

4. Baby carrier for wheelchair

Emma wanted to be able to carry her daughter while she was using her wheelchair. A volunteer “used a baby bike seat normally mounted on a bicycle saddle stem and mounted it instead on a steel tube with the footrest taking the weight. The seat is easily removable”.

5. Special tricycle for a little boy

Eoin suffers from ultra dwarfism, and like all children he likes to play with his friends. However, he couldn’t use a tricycle, because no commercial tricycle was small enough. A volunteer made for him a small tricycle “from scratch adding the smallest suitable wheels.” According to Remap, Eoin’s mother said, “he loves it so much he even tries to take it to bed with him”.

6. Special tablet computer wall mount

The person who asked for this item suffers from poor hand coordination and likes to use a laptop. He needed a strong support, which could be folded away after use. “A swinging arm support was constructed using aluminium tubing and ‘kee clamp’ fittings”.

7. Nurse call chin switch

This client found it very difficult to call a nurse, because she has severe paralysis. Remap designed a chin operated call switch, which works after being pressed three times in a 5 second window. It also eliminates false calls due to normal movement.

Further examples can be found by clicking here.

Click here if you want to read an article about Remap, and here for visiting its webpage.

Remap has a local panel in Scotland. Click here to know more.

Photos by Remap.

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