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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.
The Hart Walker is a customised, orthotic, walking frame which 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.
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?
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.
What some parents have observed!
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 It 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.
There are no other Walkers which allow this.
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.
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.
Suitability For A Hart Walker
To be suitable for a Hart Walker, a child needs to meet the following
criteria:
- Have a consistent, reciprocal and stepping pattern when supported
- Be at least 3 years of age and measure no less than 90 centimetres
in total height
- For initial fitting, instep to hip joint length needs to be less than
72 centimetres.
- Be motivated to move
Cost
At this stage there is no government funding for the Hart Walker program.
The cost of the Hart Walker is $11,175.00. 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. It also
covers reviews for 5 years.
Methods of payment and/or fundraising can be discussed with the Hart
Walker Program team.
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.
Joining The Program
A child will enter the Hart Walker program at GoKids via referral from
their physiotherapist. The necessay form can be obtained by telephoning
GoKids on telephone (03) 8311-4009 or is available below.
Once 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 of joint range/muscle length and stepping ability 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 currently run clinics at Glenallen (Glen Waverley), Mildura,
Nepean, Barwon & Shannon Park so that children may be reviewed closer
to their geographical area in Victoria. Future clinics are being planned
for Ballarat and Shepparton.
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.
For further information, please contact:
Elise Rizzo,
Physiotherapist
Coordinator
GoKids Mobility Advisory Service
177 Glenroy Road
GLENROY VIC 3046
Telephone: (03) 8311-4008 or (03) 8311-4009
Email: gokids@scope.vic.org.au
Private funding by individuals for Hart Walkers is always welcome.
If you are interested in donating funds, please do not hesitate to contact
us.
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