Celebrating 50 Years of Freedom Solutions Australia: Transformative Stories of Change #1
50 Years of Clever Ideas
As part of our 50th-anniversary celebration, we’re sharing a monthly series of remarkable stories that showcase how Freedom Solutions Australia has transformed lives through innovative assistive technologies. These narratives highlight the challenges faced by individuals with disability and the ingenious solutions crafted by our passionate volunteers over the past five decades. The first story for the series is Amelia’s Do-it-yourself crawler and standing frame.
Amelia wanted to move around freely, just like any other two-year-old child.
In 1981, Amelia was a two-year-old child who lives with cerebral palsy and athetosis. She faced challenges to move around independently due to her conditions. Although she achieved a reciprocal movement of her lower limbs, it was not easy for her to move around with her symmetrical tonic neck reflex. Amelia’s mum also find it difficult as she always needed to keep an eye on her.
Ann, Amelia’s physiotherapist, and Amelia’s mum started looking for a standing frame to give Amelia more freedom of movement for the upper limbs and upright posture. However, there was nothing available that meets Amelia’s unique needs.
Amelia wanted to move around freely, just like any other two-year-old child.
In 1981, Amelia was a two-year-old child who lives with cerebral palsy and athetosis. She faced challenges to move around independently due to her conditions. Although she achieved a reciprocal movement of her lower limbs, it was not easy for her to move around with her symmetrical tonic neck reflex. Amelia’s mum also find it difficult as she always needed to keep an eye on her.
Ann, Amelia’s physiotherapist, and Amelia’s mum started looking for a standing frame to give Amelia more freedom of movement for the upper limbs and upright posture. However, there was nothing available that meets Amelia’s unique needs.
John, a volunteer brought his knowledge to overcome challenges Amelia's family faced.
Enter John Hill, a retired mechanical engineer from our volunteer team. Drawing on his knowledge and the insight shared by Amelia’s mum and Ann, they embarked on a journey to co-design a solution. The process involved working with Amelia, her mum and Ann to ensure Amelia’s body and posture are well supported. They also worked on making the frame lightweight so that they can take it wherever needed.
The impact of this project was profound. With the crawler and standing frame, Amelia became independently mobile. “She can move from room to room and play with toys placed on the floor or at eye level. If she knocks a toy out of reach, she can go after it” says Amelia’s mum. “She can also eat her fruit and have a drink while standing in it. This all means that there is less lifting, carrying and holding for me. Amelia, and indeed the whole family are delighted with the frame and the crawler.”
Enter John Hill, a retired mechanical engineer from our volunteer team. Drawing on his knowledge and the insight shared by Amelia’s mum and Ann, they embarked on a journey to co-design a solution. The process involved working with Amelia, her mum and Ann to ensure Amelia’s body and posture are well supported. They also worked on making the frame lightweight so that they can take it wherever needed.
The impact of this project was profound. With the crawler and standing frame, Amelia became independently mobile. “She can move from room to room and play with toys placed on the floor or at eye level. If she knocks a toy out of reach, she can go after it” says Amelia’s mum. “She can also eat her fruit and have a drink while standing in it. This all means that there is less lifting, carrying and holding for me. Amelia, and indeed the whole family are delighted with the frame and the crawler.”
Ann also says “Amelia has improved her head control and moves around the house for at least half an hour at a time. Her enjoyment with things around her has increased, and so has her curiosity.”
This story is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collaboration.
This is just one of many stories we’re excited to share during our 50th-anniversary celebration. Stay tuned for more inspiring tales of lives changed through clever ideas and passionate volunteers. Follow us on our social media to be the first to hear these stories. Together, let’s celebrate five decades of making a difference!
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If this story inspired you, please share it with your friends and family and help us spread the word about Freedom Solutions Australia’s 50 years of clever ideas!
Ann also says “Amelia has improved her head control and moves around the house for at least half an hour at a time. Her enjoyment with things around her has increased, and so has her curiosity.”
This story is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collaboration.
This is just one of many stories we’re excited to share during our 50th-anniversary celebration. Stay tuned for more inspiring tales of lives changed through clever ideas and passionate volunteers. Follow us on our social media to be the first to hear these stories. Together, let’s celebrate five decades of making a difference!
If this story inspired you, please share it with your friends and family and help us spread the word about Freedom Solutions Australia’s 50 years of clever ideas!