Disability Rights Jamaica Project #64220

Quality of Life for Special Needs Youth in Jamaica

by Smile A While Foundation

Project Report | Oct 15, 2024
The Importance of Supportive Standing for Children

By Joanne Oates | Founder

What is Supportive Standing?

For individuals with a physical disability, the ability to stand may not be possible without an assistive device. Supported-standing is defined as using a device to maintain an aligned, upright, weight-bearing position. These assistive devices are known as standers, and there are many styles including: upright; prone (support in front of the person); supine (support from behind the person); sit-to-stand; or mobile (self-propelled by the user).

Like other mobility devices such as a wheelchair or walker, standers help the individuals move more independently and confidently while providing a number of other benefits to the users, especially when used at an early age.

Health Benefits of Standing:

The health benefits of supporting standing for children with disabilities have been widely recognized for years. Benefits are not only physical, but also help socially and emotionally for children. Here are some of the most pronounced benefits of using standards in early years:

Improved bone mineral density for prevention of fractures
Reduced stiff muscles by stretching and improving range of motion
Improve posture
Improved hip joint health and hip stability, by encouraging abduction of legs weight-bearing activity
Improved engagement with family and classmates by allowing for eye level play and contact with peers
Improved overall quality of life as the user is able to engage and participate in daily activities in a more inclusive way

Thank you to Rifton and Denis Shipping!

Smile A While was recently gifted the newest model of The Stander by Rifton! Thank you Rifton for this life-changing gift to our kids!

The Rifton Stander is truly multi-position stander that can switch easily between prone and supine that provides flexibility and options for our kids to meet the world in anupright position, and participate in daily activities at eye level alongside peers.

A BIG thank you also to Dennis Shipping! Dennis Shipping ships all over the Caribbean and some parts of Central America, with a diverse staff from almost every Caribbean Island. The company graciously waved shipping fees to get our Rifton to the island and help kids in need!

The BIGGEST thank you to Rifton and Dennis Shipping for helping us get this vital piece of assistive technology to Jamaica. Thank you for supporting our missions so children with special needs in the Caribbean can have a bright future when given the support they need.

Support therapy for kids with special needs in the Caribbean

We are very excited to see The Stander in action at the MICO Centre at our next Sponsored Therapist cohort that will be taking place 2024. Help us send licensed occupational therapists to Jamaica to provide therapy to special needs children and help educate local therapist with techniques and resources they may not have access to otherwise.

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