Many children with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities have limited postural control and are unable to sit without external support. Children can be found in all areas of the country living with a complete lack of dignity.
Unable to support themselves, many are left lying on the floor or in beds for hours on end without being able to participate in family life, attend school or interact and develop naturally, as children.
Without comprehensive supportive seating products and services to provide the necessary support, disabled children are unable to interact with the world around them and are increasingly marginalized. For those in need, a Supportive Seat is a pre-requisite for accessing their basic rights.
The overall goal for this programme is to improve the quality of life of children with mobility disabilities.
Motivation’s supportive seating programme has brought into production a range of low cost supportive seating units. The seating is designed to clip on and off either a static or wheeled base.
This means that the supportive seat is suitable for use even in the most constricted of spaces. The three wheel base of the chair makes it appropriate for use on rough ground, mud and sand, therefore making it easily used in Sri Lanka’s diverse geographical environments
Through dedicated training covering the clinical and technical aspects of supportive seating, professional seating services have been established in four key locations throughout Sri Lanka, giving a greater number of families access to the services they require. Seating services have been established in:
Batticaloa – Mencafep
Nuwara Eliya – Mencafep
Ragama – Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital (RRH)
Tangalle – Navajeevana
Supportive seating helps by making a user:
- More independent as they don’t have to rely on someone to hold them.
- More involved in everyday activities such as eating and playing
- More sociable with their family and friends
- Able to communicate better with the assistance of special equipment if required
- Healthier by reducing swallowing and breathing difficulties that can result from someone lying down all the time or sitting in a bad way.
