Jenx’s Supine Stander 3 has helped 11-year-old Zain easily socialise at eye-level with his peers, give his mum a standing a cuddle for the first time, and go from a horizontal to standing position in seconds.
Zain is a cheeky boy from Rochdale with a wonderful smile that instantly lights up the room. He loves playing with toys, especially if they have got flashing lights and play music.
He also loves going to school and playing with all of his friends, but because his entire body is affected by weakness, Zain struggles to stand up and play without significant help. He also finds it extremely tiring, and scary at times, too. He needs support from his head down to his feet, so that he can safely stand with confidence.
Positive difference
Up until now, Zain has been able to stand for periods of time with the help of the Supine Stander 1 and 2 from Jenx. Now that he is getting older, he is getting taller and has outgrown the standing system he used to depend upon. Fortunately for Zain, there is a larger model in the range, the Supine Stander 3, which he recently upgraded to and immediately made a positive difference on multiple levels.
Not only has it enabled Zain to take part in all sorts of different activities, but he is also seeing the world from a different height, as well as enhancing his body, inside and out.
“It improves bone density, provides muscles with a good stretch and helps with respiration and digestion,” explains Zain’s physiotherapist, Linsie. “It also helps him socially; Zain can be at the level of his peers and interact with them. He can join in with circle time, and he enjoys using the tray and bowl for messy play.”
Cuddles with Mum
In addition to transforming his play time and providing head-to-toe support, the Supine Stander 3 has meant that Zain can now do something extra special for his mum, Farzana, give her a standing cuddle.
“I’m very happy for Zain. Normally I don’t see him standing up at home and now I can hug him, normally I can’t hug him,” she says.
Removable accessories
Designed to grow with Zain, the Supine Stander 3 features removable accessories that help ensure he stays calm and doesn’t use up all of his energy during transfers into the standing frame.
The accessories on the Supine Stander can be completely removed, making it open and uncluttered for transfers. This means that Zain can be hoisted smoothly and safely from his chair on to the stander, which provides full contact with the back of his body via immersive and comfortable polyurethane boards. This comprehensive sensory feedback helps him feel safe and relaxed.
The accessories can then easily be attached using tool-free methods and precisely positioned around Zain’s posture for optimal support and functioning.
Electronic operation
The electronic functionality enables Zain to go from a horizontal to a standing position in just a matter of seconds.
The process is smooth and controlled, which gives Zain time to adjust to his new position. The standing frame is positioned just off fully upright, enabling him to beneficially use gravity to keep his head up for playing and learning.
The head pad cushion and side supports help with his head control and finding a midline position. Meanwhile, the flexion knee supports, arched foam pads and abduction block all work together to reduce Zain’s wind sweeping lower limb posture and support his legs, making sure they are comfortable, correctly aligned and optimally weight-bearing.
Zain also uses a waistcoat harness, which provides further sensory feedback to the front of his body and helps his trunk positioning and control. This, along with the gentle hugging of flexible thoracic support pads, allows him to use his arms more freely and play with toys and sensory blankets on his tray. He loves throwing his blankets on the floor and making a mess.
Optimum height for fun with friends and learning
“The standing frame gives him the opportunity to access his activities, which include working on our big interactive whiteboard, which he absolutely loves,” explains Zain’s teacher, Becky.
“It also means he is at the correct height to play and work. Zain likes standing with his friends at the same height, he becomes more animated when he is standing. If there are a couple of them standing together doing messy activities, he loves the opportunity to splat his friends with some paint or shaving foam!”
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