In 1996, the Whitfield family of Allambie in Sydney
were told about the Walker by a doctor who had seen
it while visiting in the UK. Peter and Sophia
Whitfield's son Luke, then four, was born with
cerebral palsy and they were determined to help him
in any way they could.
The family travelled to England in 1996, for Luke to
be fitted with The Hart Walker. Not only did Luke
experience walking for the first time in his life,
but his general health also dramatically improved.
The family was so impressed with the results and the
positive impact on Luke's life, they wanted as many
children as possible to benefit from the Walker.
They approached The Spastic Centre of NSW to raise
funds and start The David Hart Walker Program in
Sydney. The Children's Mobility Program
incorporating the Hart Walker was established in
November 1996 by The Spastic Centre of New South
Wales and was granted the Australian licence by
David Hart.
In February 1997, in response to the Whitfield
family's request, The Spastic Centre sent five
children, accompanied by their parents, an orthotist
and a physiotherapist, to England to be fitted with
the Hart Walker. The therapists were trained
personally by David Hart, in the fitting and ongoing
care, training and monitoring of these young
children as they develop and grow. In February 1998
The Spastic Centre sent another Orthotist and
Physiotherapist to England for training to prepare
the program for the increasing demand. The Spastic
Centre's trained staff are authorised by David Hart
to train physiotherapists and orthotists to fit and
maintain walkers around Australia, making it
possible to have teams trained in every state.
As of December 2005, more than 700 Australian
children have been fitted with a Hart Walker. There
are children enjoying its benefits in every state
and territory of Australia. The demand for the
Walker is constant, because as more children are
fitted, word spreads about the Walker's benefits,
and new children are added to the list for
assessment. The Walkers are imported in kit form
from Canada.
WHICH CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM THE HART WALKER?
Most children with cerebral palsy or similar
disabilities will be suitable for a Hart Walker.
Although they need to fulfil the following criteria;
have a maximum instep to hip length of 72cm (for
initial fitting);
have a consistent stepping pattern when supported;
have a family that is committed to help the child
reach their full potential.
Referral may be made by a parent or other agent
acting on behalf of the parents and with their
written permission.
Entry into the program will be based on an
assessment by a trained orthotist and
physiotherapist. Suggestions for other forms of
walking devices will be given if the Hart Walker is
found to be inappropriate.
At the initial visit, detailed measurements and
video footage will be taken and a physiotherapist's
assessment will be carried out. The Walker will then
be cut to size and assembled to suit the child's
individual specifications.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD IS FITTED?
Once the child is fitted in the Walker, the child
and family/carer undergo training on how to place
the child in the Walker and how to use the Walker.
Ongoing monitoring and review is essential to ensure
the child benefits from the device.
Monitoring and Review
The frequency of monitoring will depend on the needs
and progress of the child. The first visit after the
fitting should occur within 4 to 6 weeks, then a
follow-up visit 4 to 12 weeks later. After this,
visits will be as required to ensure the Walker is
continually adjusted to gain the best performance so
that each child makes progress at a rate appropriate
to his/her own potential.
Once a child is using the device, it is essential to
monitor their progress and to make any necessary
ongoing adjustments as their strength and muscle
control develops. Any support that the child no
longer needs must be reduced or taken away before
the child starts to rely upon such support
unnecessarily.
Rarely is a child's progress in the Walker
consistent; any rapid progress is usually followed
by a period of slow progress which, to parents, may
seem like no progress.
A
comprehensive review will occur every 12 months to
ensure the Hart Walker is the most appropriate
walking device for the child. Video footage will
also be used to continually assess the child's
progress. This will be particularly important for
children living outside the Sydney Metropolitan
Area.
The equipment is not magical and will not make a
child walk. Establishing an efficient walking
pattern with full body co-ordination and balance
takes a lot of hard work, a great deal of time and
an ongoing, positive commitment from the child's
parents. The Walker and The Spastic Centre's input
is only a small part of what must be a team effort
to help and encourage a child to make progress |
