OT thinks that there is no 'hoisting solution' for dd - hoisting experts I need your help please

[saltyseadog]

DD is 6 and has CP and PMLD. Despite this she is very mobile, and can get from one side of the room to the other bu commando crawling.

We're currently going through the DFG process (ugh) and had a visit from the OT today. She reckons that there is no hoist solution available for dd as she is too wriggly, and that we will always need to have two people present to get her into a sling and hoist her from the floor (which she likes to move about on independently). So if she is right both DH and I need to be around all day to hoist dd as and when required.

I'm not convinced that there is no solution - I personally think that if dd had a climbing harness stylee sling then she has enough head and trunk control to just be hoisted slightly off her feet into her chair etc (I can at the moment get her to stand with support for 5 - 10s).

I'd love some advice please from fellow hoisters. DH can't be around all day to be a second hoister, so we have to find a better solution. At present I just want to cry about it tbh .

Thanks mumbar - that is a help. I would really appreciate it if you could speak to the OTs at school too .

think the sling mumbar is talking might be this one by spectra care

yes that link is a glove sling altho there are many different ones from different companies.

Salty I'll pop back tomorrow with answers from my ot's and some company names for you - your ot may find it hard to argue with facts!!!

Chin up and I'll be back

hi salty I haven't forgotton you the ots weren't in monday as had planning meeting and today was sports day so they weren't around. Have a physio in tomorrow so I'll ask her advice and I promise I'll get you some advice if nothing else.

OK heres some info that may help,

Glove slings we use for 'wiggly' children:

SAS glove sling
Kid glove
Foxy glove sling

For bathing:

oxford long sling (has 3 instead of 2 straps to attach to hoist)
Bath glove sling

Liko sling (breaks spasm)
Its called a teddy sling.

Obviously this info is based on what you've said about dc and what we've used for pupils who are similar to your discription. I hope it gives you ideas and helps.

Best of luck.

Mumbar which of the Teddy slings is it they reckon that breaks spasms?
had a look but none of them seem to mention spasms?
might just be me being a bit thick tho!

www.liko.com/web/frameset.asp?qadwords=&toggle=&topnumber=2&market=&marketid=91&pageid=6229&menuid=1 246

looking at the link above the one we use is the hygeine model no 55. It doesn't actually mention breaking spasms as technically theres nothing that can do that but ime of using one the child hasn't spasemed (sp) as being in a sitting position breaks it iyswim.

Im not an expert mearly work with children with special needs and my knowledge simply comes from trying different slings on children and finding one that works.

As the teddy sling is one where the childs arms are out of the sling it does tend to be better for wrigglers as the legs go under the thighs and cross, the middle goes across the trunk and the top straps hang up with the arms out. I have put this sling on alone with a 'very wiggly child' and prepared them on the hoist. We do not hoist with only 1 person due to h and s but we simply stand with the child in case.

HTH.

What about the silvalea Rachael harness?

It has a jacket that can be worn all the time, then straps which are colour coded. Originally designed for children who move around fast on the floor and are wriggly . Sounds like your DD

mumbar and lougle - I think I love you Both of those harnesses look ideal, for different situations IYSWIM.

We are meeting the OT next week. I'll update you post the meeting. This has really reached crisis point for us, so fingers crossed it gets sorted .

Glad to help

Yeah me to