Anyone Have A Child That Uses A Gait Trainer??

[TyAndCheyMommy]

We are looking into getting my daughter a Gait Trainer...
We do not have a therapist- and our doctor wrote us a script for one- and told us just to find the one we think will be best (This is actually what we have done with almost all of her equipment)...
So now I am researching them like crazy. My only issue- they just don't seem to be that supportive. My DD can not even sit on her own... She does have pretty good head control- but she would still need head support...
Who would I ask? I have no idea even where to get her into a physical therapist in Houston now And going through early intervention doen't work either- as she will be 3 in less than a month- and I am not putting her in the special education preschool- as we plan on homeshooling.

[Messy]

The very best place to ask is the equipment dealer (we have a pharmacy that we have gotten some equipment from and then things like his shoes come from a separate place, etc). Go in, talk to them about what they have used in the past (and might even have available to look at!) and normally they have great advice on what to go with. For instance, Nikos does not even see a foot doc. He gets a script for the shoes from our PCP and then we take it to the place we get those at and they work with us and Nikos on what he will use for what we are trying to correct (we do not want to make huge changes or he is stubborn and might quit walking).
We started out getting Nikos a gait trainer but then he seemed like he would do good with a miniature geriatric walker and with a little training, he did! We were shocked since he had very little muscle control/tone (although by then he could sit up).

[boogermama]

Have a look at these:
http://www.rifton.com/products/mobil...ource=homepage

The company itself is AWESOME and there might be a way they can help you with very minimal involvement from any professionals - you'll probably need a doctor to make a recommendation to them or something, but I know that the Rifton organisation is extremely generous...

We have one of the "mini pacers" for my 20m old son, who went from basically rolling around on the floor to walking with little to no assistance with the trainer in literally three days - it is an amazing piece of equipment... there is a sling-type seat that can go with it for the initial stages of workign with it, every single thing on it can be removed or adjusted to suit the needs of the child and the company is amazing in terms of the care/quality/service they provide.

[urchin_grey]

We got Bram's from his physical therapist. Someone had donated it. We're in need of another one now though because he's grown too tall for the old one. We'll get a prescription for a new one from his ortho.

[blossom]

The first one we used was a pony (at the time she had more torso strength but it sucked anyway) but then she got really weak and couldn't even think about being upright. We invested in the Kidwalk now that she's ready to be up again. We LOVE it. It is an amazing piece of equipment and will accomodate children with a range of ability. I cried when I saw my dd use it for the first time. Search Youtube for kidwalk and you will see some amazing videos of kids using theirs. Another benefit is that it will also grow with her for a very long time.

[urchin_grey]

Originally Posted by boogermama

Have a look at these:
http://www.rifton.com/products/mobil...ource=homepage

The company itself is AWESOME and there might be a way they can help you with very minimal involvement from any professionals - you'll probably need a doctor to make a recommendation to them or something, but I know that the Rifton organisation is extremely generous...

We have one of the "mini pacers" for my 20m old son, who went from basically rolling around on the floor to walking with little to no assistance with the trainer in literally three days - it is an amazing piece of equipment... there is a sling-type seat that can go with it for the initial stages of workign with it, every single thing on it can be removed or adjusted to suit the needs of the child and the company is amazing in terms of the care/quality/service they provide.

Oooh, I want that one! In Electric Lime!!

[boogermama]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey

Oooh, I want that one! In Electric Lime!!

that is the one our PT brought for my wee man... it is gorgeous!
and the bebby, he really does love it...



he's obviously not using it properly here, but the fact that he's interested in it enough to just sorta hang out with the thing is so brilliant!!