info on Foam Carve seating system

[Nordicpollan]

Hi Guys

Stu is due to have his first fitting for a foam carve seating system on Monday.

At the moment he is in a Matrix seat on a Ottobok frame. Although we like the matrix and their chappies that make it Stu really doesn't cope well with the way they do the the fitting, as it means he has to sit in the seat with no cover/padding hanging from a small A frame. To say he freaks is a bit of a understatment, so a good shape just doe not happen.

Our local mobility centre has only just started issuing foam carve seat(through Ottobok) and our phsyio has made sure Stu has met the chap that does them as several of his school friends have had them, either paid for by their parents or a different mobility centre to ours.

We only found out yesterday about Mondays appointment and school is on half term so Stu can't hear what his friends or their families have to say about the fitting

Any info would be gratfully received so I can prepare him
Many Thanks
Karen

[mainecoon lover]

Hi Karen

My daughter has been in a foam karve since 2003. She use to have a matrix but suffered with pressure areas really badly.
They will sit him in a seat (quite soft) and suck out the air which will give them his shape. They then go away and karve the chair, this usually takes a month or two.
Just make sure they keep a good eye on him due to growth or changing shape.
My DD does get quite hot in it in the summer but else if it is fitting her well she is comfy. She is going through a growth spirt at the moment which is causing small problems but our wheelchair clinic is not great. Hugh waiting list.

[Nordicpollan]

Thanks

Today went quite well. We arrived for a 9am appointment and left the clinic at 1.15pm!!
Stu did really well and we did have a break half way throught whilst they did a second fitting for another little one. Stu was much more relaxed than when we did the Matrix fitting so fingers crossed we might end up with a wheelchair that he is actually comfortable in!

I know what you mean about mobility centres ours is dreadful, well the head thearapist is. When we only have our physio, and the outreach OT and engineer the clinics go so much better but any time this head OT gets involved it tends to go pear shape.she has no people skills at all!!

Any way thanks for letting know what to expect

Karen

[mainecoon lover]

Gosh what a long appointment. I am glad it all went well for you and i am sorry i did not see this thread before.

[Nordicpollan]

Thanks again. I think the seat will look different as we have gone for comfort this time rather than correction as we are hopeful that we will be able to sit in the chair for more than 15minutes at a time. Second fitting is in 3 weeks so might possibley have the completed chair by Christmas fingers crossed.

Karen

[mainecoon lover]

15 minutes in a chair is not long, poor Stu. We always get DD chair on the second vist

[Nordicpollan]

Hi
The next fitting is only an intrim fitting, there is just 1 more clinic after that on the 20th Dec so we are hoping that we will be getting his new complete chair then.

It is so frustating that he is only comfortable for such short periods, when out of his chair he is much happier, so we know its the chair!!

Not long for your holidays now fingers crossed yours goes as well as ours did :grin:

Karen

[keith&carol]

Sorry, I've only just seen this thread!
DD4 has had a foamcarve for several years now and it's been a great success. It's quite easy to go back and have it trimmed if it's not quite right and the stretch covers come off and wash & dry very quickly.
The system attaching it to the wheelchair also allows for some movement if nec.
We are going back in December for a reassessment as DD's spinal curvature means her shape keeps changing. The only problem we have is the waiting times because they are always soooooo busy.
Good luck with the finished article. I'm sure you'll all be really pleased with it.
Carol :wavey:

[Nordicpollan]

Thanks Carol

We are keeping our fingers crossed that this chair will keep Stu comfortable. Can only agree with the waiting times on clinic ours seem to take for ever.!!


Karen

[mainecoon lover]

Hi
The next fitting is only an intrim fitting, there is just 1 more clinic after that on the 20th Dec so we are hoping that we will be getting his new complete chair then.

It is so frustating that he is only comfortable for such short periods, when out of his chair he is much happier, so we know its the chair!!

Not long for your holidays now fingers crossed yours goes as well as ours did :grin:

Karen

Fingers crossed you get it before. Stu should be a priority.
Thanks, we are getting excited now.