Special Needs Strollers for Medically Fragile Children
When the weather is nice- the sun is shining and the birds are singing in the trees - we can often find ourselves thinking I’ve got to get out there! Our bodies seem to intuitively know what is good for us. In fact, a comprehensive review of research studies by the National Institute of Health (NIH) strongly suggests that greenspace exposure is associated with a statistically significant improvement in a wide range of health outcomes.
For some of us, getting outside is as simple as turning a door knob. For others of us it’s not so easy. Medically fragile children who require respiratory support, continuous feeding, or IV therapy often find themselves tethered by ventilator tubing, feeding pump lines and other medical paraphernalia. Often these children remain indoors moving from bed to chair or other supportive positioning devices. But they and their caregivers, just like the rest of us (and maybe even more so) need opportunities to get outside and reap the benefits of fresh air and sunshine.
Did you know that there are many adaptive push chairs, special needs strollers and pediatric wheelchairs that not only provide additional postural support, they also can be accessorized with medical support accessories such as ventilator/suction machine trays, oxygen tank holders and IV Poles?
Let’s take a look and see what’s out there.
Here is an overview of the adaptive pushchairs discussed in this article and the medical support accessories available for each:
The Convaid Trekker is a reclining, tilt-in-space lightweight wheelchair offering the flexibility of 180 degree’s reversible seating allowing the user to face forward or face their caregiver. It has multiple growth options with adjustable seat depth, height and width. The Trekker is easy to fold compactly. It comes standard with 90-degree fixed leg rests and footplate, quick release rear wheels with foot activated wheel locks and a 2-point positioning lap belt. Accessories allow customization of support to meet your child’s unique needs. Offered in 2 sizes the size 1 Trekker can accommodate a user as small as 5.5 in. hip width, 5.5 in. seat depth and 9 in. shoulder height. The size 2 Trekker can accommodate a user weighing up to 110 lbs. (50 kg). A transit option is available.
The Trekker also offers many accessories for the medically fragile child. Medical support accessories include a convenient IV pole that is height adjustable. The 7/8 in. diameter tubing allows for easy IV pump installation and folds for compact storage and quick release. The oxygen tank holder accommodates size D & E Oxygen Tanks which are the most common oxygen tank sizes. It mounts to the side of the chair for easy access and can be easily removed. The LTV ventilator holder allows an LTV series ventilator to be mounted on the side of the Trekker frame both in forward and reverse configurations. The ventilator/suction hard tray is made of aluminum, a very durable material preventing damage to ventilator or other essential equipment from impact on any side. It can easily be attached or removed from the bottom of the frame for transport needs. This feature allows for lightweight transportability of vent-dependent individuals.
The Convaid Coaster is Convaid’s latest addition to their fixed seat tilt family of special needs push chairs. The angle of seat tilt is easily set at 10, 20, or 30 degrees for customized positioning support and comfort. The Coaster also comes with an adjustable reclining back with 4 different fixed recline angles. These features are standard in this lightweight, robust, compact, clamshell folding frame. The Coaster offers up to 5 in. of seat depth growth in all four frame sizes with 12 in., 14 in., 16 in., and 18 in. seat widths accommodating users with mild to moderate postural support needs weighing up to 170 lbs. (77 kg.).
Medical support accessories for the Coaster include a convenient, quick release IV pole/feeding bag holder that is height adjustable and easily folds for compact storage. The medical necessity storage basket is designed to hold large support equipment. Weight capacity is 50 lbs. (22.7 kg.)
The Convaid Rodeo Tilt is a popular pediatric tilt-in-space wheelchair that is best-in-class, convenient, lightweight and folds compactly. The Rodeo provides up to 45° of adjustable tilt that offers pressure relief and upper body support. An optional recline mechanism is also available to open the seat to back angle from 90 to 110 degrees. The Rodeo is fully customizable to meet user’s specific therapeutic needs and provides 5 years of growth capability through its seat depth feature. Offered in 4 sizes it accommodates users up to 170 lbs. Transit option is available.
The Rodeo offers an optional height adjustable IV pole and an oxygen tank bag that holds a size D (4 in.) diameter tank. Clasps hold the tank away from the chair back and the strap at the base adjusts to stay taut when the chair is tilted.
Leggero
The Leggero Trak is a compact, foldable, tilt-in-space and recline pediatric wheelchair offered in 2 sizes to accommodate children up to 80 lbs. (36 kg). It is easily configured with optional accessories to meet unique postural support needs for a wide range of users and comes standard with 90-degree fixed leg rests with height adjustable footplate, curb assist lever, rear anti-tip bars, integrated suspension, front poly casters with swivel locks, quick release poly rear wheels with foot activated lock, and a sunshade. The Trak also offers your choice of headrest, chest vest and lap belt. A transit option is available.
In addition, the Leggero Trak offers an optional IV pole, oxygen tank holder and LVT bracket. IV pole allows for the attachment of IV fluid solution bags or tube feeding bags. The oxygen tank holder accommodates a “D” size oxygen tank and is easily removed from the frame as needed. The LTV bracket is specifically designed to accommodate the Pulmonetics LTV 950 Ventilator.
The Leggero Reach is a lightweight, folding, stroller style wheelchair. Offered in three frame sizes, the Reach can accommodate older and larger children up to 150 lbs. It comes standard with elevating leg rests with height adjustable foot plate, rear anti-tip bars, poly front casters, quick release poly rear wheels with foot activated lock, reclining back with 7 lockout points, 3 fixed seat angle adjustment options, and a sunshade. The Reach offers your choice of headrest and 2-point lap belt with option to upgrade to a 4-point belt. A transit option is available.
The Reach also has the option to purchase an IV pole and/or oxygen tank holder as described above for the Leggero Trek.
Thomashilfen
The Thomashilfen EASyS Advantage Stroller and Thomashilfen EASyS Modular S Push Chair are crash-tested push chair systems that meet the ANSI/RESNA WC/19 standards for bus/van transportation. They are equipped with both tilt-in-space and recline functions within a patented stabilizing feature called the Balanced Safety System (BSS). This system works automatically by adjusting the seat position so that it remains centered over all four wheels when tilt and recline features are in use. The Advantage back can be reclined to 180 degrees to create a flat surface for personal care. The Advantage seat unit can be disconnected from the chassis and turned around so the user can look in the direction of travel or towards the caregiver. Both strollers can be accessorized to customize support for unique needs.
Both of these pediatric wheelchairs can be purchased with the optional accessories of a vent tray, oxygen tank holder and a medical necessity bag. The optional vent tray securely holds necessary respiratory equipment. Measurements of tray for size 1 frame is 15”W x 1.2”H x 15.4”L and for Size 2 frame is 16.9”Wx 1.2”H x 15.4”L. The maximum weight capacity of the vent tray is 11 lbs. The optional EASyS oxygen tank holder accommodates size E oxygen tanks and easily attaches to the stroller base. The optional medical necessities bag is great for storing smaller medical supplies and other essentials. It attaches to the knobs on the back of the stroller that are used to adjust the backrest height.
The Thomashilfen tRide Stroller is also a crash-tested stroller system that includes tilt-in-space and recline functions. This family friendly push chair features plenty of room for growth with tool free adjustments to maximize the number of years it can be used for your child. The tRide can be purchased with an optional ventilator tray and an optional oxygen tank holder. Designed with a sturdy steel construction, the optional vent tray mounts easily under the seat of the A-Chassis of the size 1 and 2 frames, requiring no tools. Dimensions are 12" long and 14" wide. The optional oxygen tank holder holds size E oxygen tanks and easily attaches to the stroller base
Getting outside may not always be easy but it is always worth the effort!
