by Michael J. Workman PT
29. October 2009 23:15
In the physical therapy business, transfer is the term we use to describe when someone moves from one surface to another. Some examples are, going from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a toilet. With progressive Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) transfers usually require more and more assistance from caregivers with the passing years due to the deterioration of kids’ strength and muscle control.
Without the proper equipment, just getting a child ready for school might require one of the parents to physically lift the child eight or ten separate times. As the child gets older and heavier this becomes increasingly more difficult and unsafe for everybody involved.
In Tyler’s situation his physical therapist saw that by introducing a hospital type bed that changes heights along with a rolling toilet (commode) chair and patient lift (Hoyer) he could decrease the number of transfers down to just a few. Since Tyler weighs about 80 pounds this was a tremendous source of relief to his mother and Tyler with each day.
Ability Found chose to assist in this situation inspite of the fact that some of the above equipment might be provided through Tyler’s insurance policy. The family was in desperate need of positive changes and the insurance co-pay on this equipment was more than they could afford and the time lag for approval too long.
Our hope is by making transfers just a little easier and more safe that Tyler and his family will use the energy and time they’re saving to have more fun and get out more as a family.
Michael J. Workman PT
Abilityfound.org