The Hart Walker Program

The Hart Walker was invented by David Hart. He is a trained medical engineer working in the United Kingdom. After years working in a Medical Company, David now has his own clinic based in his home in Keighley. David developed the revolutionary Hart Walker after a family with a child with cerebral palsy visited him and asked for help. The Walker is now sought after worldwide and has the potential to help thousands of children with a disability to walk.

A customised, orthotic, walking frame, the Hart Walker encourages a normal gait pattern. It consists of bracing around the chest, pelvis and the lower limbs with movable joints at the hips, knees and ankles, which help guide each step while preventing any excessive or unnatural movements e.g. scissoring. The extent of the upper body bracing varies - some children may require only a simple waist strap, while others may require support to their chest and shoulders.

The bracing is attached to a wheeled frame which allows hands free mobility. It is fitted with front swivel wheels which can be made to turn on the spot by the child's ability to side step. Although some children may take a little while to learn how to make their new found steps take them in a desired direction, once mastered, the frame will provide good manoeuvrability.

Although it looks deceptively simple, the Hart Walker actually has up to 1,000 working components. It is a walking aid, which allows children with severe physical disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy, to learn to stand and to experience hands free walking. The walker is made especially for each individual child and for this reason it can't be trialled. Once a child has been fit with the walker, it is reviewed at least twice a year and adjusted to ensure that the child is always performing at their optimum. The walker can be adjusted to enable the child to do as much or as little as is appropriate. As the child gains strength and co-ordination and becomes more able to support his/her weight, the support mechanism is adjusted.

• What is cerebral palsy?
• How does the Hart Walker help children with cerebral palsy?
• Why is the Hart Walker different from other walking frames?
• Where is the Hart Walker available in Victoria?
• Who is suitable for a Hart Walker?
• What are the costs?
• Joining the program
• Review and adjustments
• Leaving the program

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a term describing a collection of disorders affecting posture and movement due to a defect or lesion to the developing brain. It is the most common of all disabilities, affecting one in every 400 babies born in Australia. In premature babies, the incidence of cerebral palsy can be as high as one in five births. Cerebral palsy affects each person differently and the degree of disability varies. Cerebral palsy is one of the most expensive of all disabilities to manage. Early detection of cerebral palsy and intervention can greatly reduce the severity of the disability.

How does the Hart Walker help children with cerebral palsy?

This Walker allows children to experience walking often for the first time in their lives. As well as providing hands-free mobility, the Walker can also lead to a number of other health and social benefits. Parents have reported it can improve general fitness, build strength, muscle control, balance and co-ordination.

Use of the Walker allows easier social contact and increased self esteem that comes with standing, walking and playing at peer level. General health can also be improved as children who are constantly seated can experience respiratory and digestive problems. Parents report that their child finds it easier to play and interact with other children. They also report their child has grown faster since using the Walker and their general health and social skills have improved.

Why is the Hart Walker different from other walking frames? 

The Hart Walker is an orthotic device, which enables children with moderate to severe disabilities to have hands free mobility. It is based on normal standing alignment and provides a normal walking pattern. 

Where is the Hart Walker available in Victoria?

The Hart Walker program is conducted at GoKids in Glenroy, Victoria, a specialist service of Scope. GoKids currently has two physiotherapists working together with an Orthotist, who are fully trained and qualified to assess whether a child is in need of a Hart Walker, to properly fit the Hart Walker and to provide follow up reviews for children who have been fitted. These reviews are currently being done in Glenroy as well as several regional clinics.

The Hart Walker is adjustable and "grows" with the child. This could be over a period of 7 years. The Hart Walker has to be adjusted by the GoKids team on a regular basis. This adjustment caters for the child's physical development and natural growth.

To be suitable for a Hart Walker, a child needs to:

GoKids is the only service in Victoria that offers the David Hart Walker program, and assistance is available to children and adolescents with a range of support needs. 

There are approximately 100 children in Victoria who are currently using a David Hart.

Costs

There is minimal government funding for the Hart Walker program ($300 where the cost of the Hart Walker is $11,980.00). The cost of the Hart Walker is $11,980.00. This amount will cover cost of the Walker (including Freight), first pair of Piedro Boots, the initial assessment and fitting with the physiotherapist and orthotist and replacement parts as needed. It also covers reviews for 5 years. Methods of payment and/or fundraising can be discussed with the Hart Walker Program team.  

The Lions Club provide help for families to meet the case of the Hart Walker. The development of the Hart Walker Program owes much gratitude to the Lions Club whom without their commitment & dedication, the program would not be as successful as it is today. For more information about the Lions Club, please visit their Australian Website or to obtain further information on the Hart Walker program funding, please visit the Australian Lions Children's Mobility Foundation web site.  

Private funding by individuals for Walkers is always welcome. If you are interested in donating funds, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

There are currently 6 children on the waiting list for a David Hart Walker and 4 children waiting for other Walkers. Normally, there are up to 20 children waiting for funding.  

Cost of walkers

• David Hart Walker - $11,980 ($6,980 + $5000 ongoing cost)
• Kid Walk - Approx. $5,000
• Mey Walk - up to $7500
• Dynamic Gait Trainer - $6,000
• Pacer Gait Trainer - Approx. with all accessories up to $7500
• Bronco Walker - $3500
• Pony Walker - $3500 
• Crocodile Walker - $1700 plus accessories  

Joining the program 

A child will enter the Hart Walker program at GoKids via referral from their physiotherapist, parent, carer or other interested party. The necessary form can be obtained by telephoning GoKids on telephone (03) 8311-4009 or is available below.  

GoKids Assessment Referral Form, Word format (2 pages, 272 KB).

Once a completed referral form has been received at GoKids, an appointment will be made for an initial assessment. The child's physiotherapist is welcome to attend this appointment. Video footage is taken at this appointment to ascertain suitability for a Walker.

If it is ascertained that the Hart Walker is not suitable, parents will be given suggestions for other types of walkers.

If a child is found to be suitable for a Hart Walker, detailed measurements will be taken to enable the assembly of the Walker. A physiotherapy assessment will be carried out together with video footage of assessment.

During this visit, parents will be given an information pack and will need to complete a consent form before walker is fitted. Child will be fitted with a Hart Walker once payment has been made in full and boots have been ordered and received.  

Reviews and adjustments 

Once child has been fitted with their Walker, an appointment will be made after 6 weeks for a review. Further reviews will be made six monthly, however, if parents have any concerns, GoKids may be contacted prior to their child's review appointment. Once child is using the Walker, it is essential to monitor their progress and to make any necessary ongoing adjustments for growth and as their strength, muscle control and stepping ability develop.

GoKids have run clinics at Glenallen (Glen Waverley), Mildura, Geelong, Shepparton, Traralgon, Glenroy Special School and Bendigo so that children may be reviewed closer to their geographical area in Victoria. These locations may be changed dependent on the number of clients in a given area.  

Video footage will also be made to continually assess the child's progress.

Leaving the program 

Once a child's leg length (instep to hip joint) reaches 86 centimetres, the Hart Walker will no longer be suitable as it will be unstable. The GoKids team will work with parents to recommend the best form of equipment to assist the child in the future.