Design, Development and Manufacture

The following examples illustrate our ability to help people of all ages, with any disability, improve their everyday lives, participate in sport/leisure activities or speed their recovery from injury or operation.

Highlights of 2010

	Ian Ian lives in Hemel Hempstead and has Cerebral Palsy. He has a busy social life and regularly travels around with his carers. Unfortunately, whilst in the car someone has to sit behind him and support his head as it would often fall to the side. DEMAND designed a unique bracket that fits onto the car headrest. The two adjustable side pads support his head and let Ian travel and sleep in comfort but still allow good head movement and visibility. Now Ian can get out and about more often, as only one carer is needed.
	Orla Ten year old Orla has Epilepsy and Global Developmental Delay.  Her parents were worried that she might go into the kitchen unnoticed at home and injure herself or others with utensils, cleaning products, or even burn herself.  She had done so in the past and they wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.  Her parents asked DEMAND for help.  A designer from DEMAND visited the home, assessed the situation then designed and fitted a series of safety gates allowing Orla to see and interact with people in the kitchen, yet remain safe from harming herself or others.  Her parents are delighted with the result.
	Denise Denise, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, approached DEMAND through her Occupational Therapist.  She loves watching films but relied on her carers to leave videos out for her.  Her needs were very specific since she has a large number of DVD’s, videos, cassettes and CDs but because of her limited movement, they had to be presented to her at the right height.  We made shelves from clear polycarbonate plastic so they are strong and all the items are visible.  They are designed to take all sizes and shapes so that she can choose the order and position of items freely.  She is thrilled with the unit we built and the freedom she now has to watch what she wants, when she wants.
	Issac Isaac is from Honley in West Yorkshire.  He has Achondroplasia and as he gets older and more independent, he and his mother wanted him to be able to wash and use the toilet himself.  They approached DEMAND through their Occupational Therapist and asked if we could make Isaac a special access step.  The step we produced can be moved around and gives Isaac safe access to the toilet and sink so he can be more independent around the house.
	Kai Kai lives in Aylesbury and has Global Developmental Delay.  He enjoyed swinging in a mesh hammock that was suspended from the ceiling but as he grew, the hammock was too small and transferring him in and out became difficult, so an alternative was needed. DEMAND designed a supportive, swinging chair that was suitable for the lounge and which he could use alone.  The chair was also designed to take an adult if Kai wanted to sit on someone’s lap in it.  The new swing allows Kai’s parents to transfer him safely and keeps Kai supported and comfortable.
	Dennis Dennis Conway lives in Netherton, West Yorkshire, and contacted DEMAND through his Physiotherapist.  Due to a rugby injury, he is Tetraplegic with limited use of his arms. He needed a mouth pointer to use the television remote control.  During the assessment, we discussed his specific requirements then researched the market to find a mouth pointer but none suited.  The large diameter wooden pointers we made are lightweight but are big enough for him to move about by ‘flicking’ his lower arms, a technique he has learnt over the years. We also supplied him bespoke, washable nylon tips for the mouth end that he could grip in his mouth and have further control of the pointer.
	Theo Theo is car mad: he loves everything about cars, he watches Top Gear, Formula One, loves the Stig and really wants a car for himself! He lives in Tupton, Derbyshire and his mum approached DEMAND to see if we could help Theo achieve his dream.  We arranged an assessment with Theo, his mum and his Occupational Therapist to discuss what we could do.  Theo’s Cerebral Palsy means he needs special support so we agreed to adapt a toy car and modified one of our postural inserts, usually used in push buggies, and mounted it inside the car.  We completed the modifications and delivered the car back in time for Theo’s 4th Birthday.  Both he and his mum are over the moon!
	Chloe Chloe has Cerebral Palsy and lives in Borehamwood.  She is only eight but is very independent.  Her Occupational Therapist asked DEMAND to produce some weighted children’s cutlery for her.  Although cutlery like this is available, the size and shape wasn’t suitable for Chloe.  DEMAND produced a set of bespoke children’s cutlery with the exact dimensions needed for Chloe to become even more independent at meal times.  When we delivered the cutlery and Chloe tried it for the first time, her ability improved instantly.  As you can see from the picture, she loved it.
	Leah Leah was born with Hemiplegia, which means she has very limited use of one side of her body.  The eight year old loves music and wanted to play the trumpet, but she couldn’t hold it with her weak hand whilst operating the valves with the other.  Her mum asked DEMAND to help.  A designer from DEMAND assessed her needs and designed a special stand to support the trumpet in a position that lets Leah play it with one hand.  It is fully adjustable and she can play it seated or standing.  Leah and her mum are delighted with the result and Leah is making good progress at learning to play.
	Lynne Lynne lives in High Wycombe. She spends the majority of her time in her wheelchair. That doesn’t stop her socialising and going out to restaurants, but it is hard for her to sit at a table with her family and friends whilst in the wheelchair. DEMAND were asked to help find a way for her to enjoy meals in the company of others. As a standard tray was too small, a special tray was made for her and she was delighted with the result.

Highlights of 2009