Now, “the world has opened up” for the 28 year-old and his family: not only can he, for the first time, explore more of his home, but can easily go out and about.

It’s all due to AAT’s C-Max stairclimber (stairclimbing wheelchair) and Comfortable Plus Duo adjustable vacuum posture cushion, and best use of resources by Kirklees Council. 

The family’s Victorian home in Yorkshire is set over four floors, with steps outside and a shared driveway. 

Within the house, the multiple floor levels and staircases means Alex had never seen any of the rooms n the house other than the ground floor. To go out, because of the drive’s incline and shared access, the family was having to lay a series of pallets down to create a ramp from the house to the car, transfer Alex via his wheelchair to the car, then lift the makeshift ramp so access was unimpeded for the neighbours.

The family Occupational Therapist Jessica Johnson @ Kirklees Council was despairing of finding an appropriate solution and turned to the Council’s moving & handling specialist Mark Hughes. He suggested the C-Max, as a viable option which happened to be in Equipment Stores, having been purchased for another client but never used due to their end of life. 

When joining Jessica and Mark at Alex’s home to assess the suitability of the kit for him, AAT recommended that, with his complex seating needs, adding a Stabilo Comfortable Plus Duo would ensure he would always be correctly positioned and supported when using the C-Max.

“it’s literally been life-changing, the whole world has opened up for Alex,” says his main care giver Jess Gage. 

“We used to carry him up and down stairs, but that was no longer safe. We’ve been in this house 10 years, and he’s never even seen his sisters’ rooms! With the C-Max, it’s so easy to move him not just around the house but to go out. The Stabilo is amazing too and holds him comfortably in position. He just giggles with the joy of getting around and out.”

Added Mark Hughes, Kirklees Council Moving & Handling Ergonomics Advisor, “The C-Max and Stabilo cushion meant that the increased level of postural support enabled Alex to safely access and egress the property, reducing the risk associated with previous methods of transfer. Alex can now look to the future in the property he wanted to remain in.”

AAT’s C-Max stairclimber with integral seat safely moves people with limited mobility up to 140kg (22st) safely up and down stairs and steps- and onward. Completely portable and requiring no installation/fixing the building fabric, it utilises battery-powered patented kinematic technology to smoothly transfer the person at a consistent speed set and controlled by the operator. Each charge of the battery will deliver up to 300 steps.

The C-Max handle height can be easily adjusted to suit the operator. A high balance point and a range of safety straps means the passenger always feel safe and secure whilst being moved up and down. AAT’s patented ComfortStep technology means the unit automatically pauses between each step to allow smooth and safe continuity of use. The operator can set the speed of the C-Max to a pace in their comfort zone and can even pause/stop it en route. 

AAT’s Comfortable Plus Duo vacuum posture cushion ensures Alex is always correctly sat and comfortable. It stabilises Alex’s head, torso, hips and pelvis. The unique vacuum technology means Jess and the care team can quickly and easily adjust the Comfortable Plus Duo to suit if and when Alex requires. His comfort and safety is assured without any delay waiting for a new shape to be ordered and delivered as with conventional fixed mould seats, nor with any risk of pressure sores. Whilst prescribed for use with the C-Max, the cushion can be transferred to any other seat Alex is using- even into the bath.

AAT provides free, no obligation assessment of client, occupation and environment for all its equipment, sets it up for each user and trains the carers in how to use it. Full details are accessed via www.aatgb.com.