21st August 2024 • My Family Our Needs

Movement is crucial for children with physical needs, offering freedom, independence and social interaction. Designability’s free loan scheme has provided over 1400 children with Wizzybug powered wheelchairs. They take us through how these chairs have enhanced children’s development and wellbeing.

For children with physical needs, the ability to move intentionally or accidentally through assisted mobility plays a key role in a child’s development and wellbeing.

Regardless of how movement occurs, the sense of freedom and independence and experiencing the sensation of movement are all hugely beneficial to a child. Movement allows children to explore their physical environment by following their natural curiosity. It also provides the opportunity to join in with their peers and adults to help build relationships. Not only is it fun, but movement also allows children to assert their autonomy; if they feel like driving off in a huff, they can!

Evidence shows that the more independence, fun and engagement a child experiences, the more motivated they are to explore their surroundings and want to do things by themselves. This is reflected in feedback from parents whose young disabled children have benefitted from a Wizzybug powered wheelchair, loaned free of charge through the UK disability charity, Designability. To date, over 1400 children have enjoyed a Wizzybug through the free loan scheme.

The Wizzybug loan scheme has been running for over 13 years thanks to generous voluntary donations, meaning that families can borrow a Wizzybug wheelchair for as long as it is suitable for their child. Once a child has outgrown it, the charity refurbishes the Wizzybug and it’s ready to go to a new family. 

Some parents may worry that their child might not be ‘ready’ to drive or control a powered wheelchair but Wizzybug’s intuitive joystick controls mean that all children will experience the sensation of movement whether intentional or not.  Some children will only accidentally knock the joystick, some will learn to use the joystick over time and others will instinctively work out how to use it.

For children working towards walking, this can be hugely effortful and tiring so Wizzybug can be a great asset as they can use it to move around whilst conserving their energy for using a walker or manual wheelchair. This might be for getting to and from nursery or school so they are ready to play and learn on arrival, or perhaps solely to use in their educational or home setting.  How children use their Wizzybugs is up to their families and the mobility needs of each child.

Wizzybugs are specially designed:

• for young disabled children aged 14 months + until they outgrow it (around 20kg)
• to grow with your child with the adjustable harness, pelvic belt and seat
• for children to be at the same height as their non-disabled peers
• to look friendly and fun with a smiley face and a number plate on the back
• with joystick control, fitted on the left or right armrest
• to have parental controls for safety
• to help children to join in, explore their environment and enjoy lots of opportunities for play
• to be easy to transport: it can fit into the boot space of a small car.

Designability wants as many young children as possible to enjoy the benefits of assisted mobility, thanks to this friendly-faced Wizzybug powered wheelchair!

For more information about the free loan scheme and to submit an online application, visit designability.org.uk or get in touch at info@designability.org.uk. Our friendly team of clinicians review each application and will get in touch regarding the next steps.

---