Autonomy is essential for any child. Being able to move and explore freely not only builds self-esteem and confidence, but is also a gateway to physical, cognitive and emotional development. But what happens when a child's motor skills limit this exploration? At the Marc Aureli neurorehabilitation outpatient care center, the answer is clear: inclusive innovation can be the key to opening these doors.
Thanks to a project, the center's team has developed a "low cost" mobility device made to measure for Ilias. This device, built with reused materials, has transformed the way Ilias interacts with his environment, allowing him to move freely and gain autonomy.
The solution: simplicity with a big impact
This custom-designed device combines a platform with wheels, a bridge and straps that take advantage of Ilias' involuntary foot tapping movement. This mechanism not only facilitates his autonomous movement around the center, but also works on motor and muscular development, adapting to his needs.
"Our goal is not only for the children to move, but for them to be able to do so with autonomy, motivation and self-confidence. For Ilias, this device represents much more than mobility: it is a tool for his personal and emotional growth", emphasizes a member of the center's team.
Benefits of autonomous travel
The center's specialists emphasize that autonomous travel goes far beyond physical movement. It is a therapeutic tool that promotes integral development:
- Improved muscle strength and endurance: working the muscles actively increases strength and endurance.
- Coordination and postural control: the movements allow you to dissociate the lower limbs and strengthen the extensor muscles of the spine.
- Reduction of muscle stiffness: active movements reduce spasticity, prevent contractures and promote extension of the hips and knees.
- Gross motor skills and mobility: pro decubitus foot stomping is an essential preliminary step to integrate the use of an adapted walker in a bipedal position.
An innovation that transforms lives
Beyond the physical benefits, the emotional impact is unquestionable. "Ilias' happiness as he moves freely reminds us of the power of these solutions. It's not just about moving, but about feeling capable, autonomous and confident in yourself," explain those responsible for the project.
This device represents a triumph on the road to inclusive, affordable and transformative technology. At the Marc Aureli centre, innovation is not an end in itself, but a means to ensure that all children have the same opportunities for growth and learning, regardless of their abilities.
Commitment to inclusion and innovation
This experience reaffirms the Foundation's commitment to creating personalized and sustainable solutions that make a difference. "Each project we promote brings us closer to our goal: to offer tools that enhance autonomy and improve the quality of life of users," the center adds.
With projects like this, we continue to advance in consolidating the entity as a benchmark in therapeutic innovation for children, demonstrating that, with creativity and dedication, it is possible to overcome barriers and transform challenges into real advances.
