SEVERELY disabled children could benefit from a wheelchair created in Malvern.
The unique chair, which uses a saddle instead of a seat, was designed and developed by Kay Coombes of the Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills (ARCOS).
Only a handful were made and are now on loan to children with cerebral palsy. Amazing benefits have been reported, including reduced pain and deformity and fewer operations.
New research has now begun at Worcester University using a combination of 3-D photography and pressure measurement to find out why the chair, known as the Sapphire, is so effective. The results obtained by the university's Motion Analysis Research and Rehabilitation Centre will help design new versions of the chair for babies through to adults.
Despite winning an Independent Living Design award in 1994, lack of funding means the chair is not being manufactured at present.
"We know the chair really seems to help people. It would be wonderful if the research could provide evidence for its success," said Mrs Coombes.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Michael O'Sullivan has praised the chair and said he would like to see it become standard for children with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities.
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