Children take first steps with walker

AUTOSPECTACULAR 2017

Saturday, September 16. Admission prices are: $10 adult, children under 5 free, children 5-13 years $2, family (2 adults, 2 children) $20 - cash and Eftpos only. Open from 9am until 4pm. Door prize drawn at 3.30pm.

Each year, the Autospectacular is organised by two clubs, the Otago Classic Motoring Club and the Otago Fairlane and Falcon Club, with each contributing an equal amount from the proceeds to a selected charity. This year the clubs have decided the money raised will go towards purchasing a Hart Walker - a device which assists children to walk.

The image of local boy Eddie Gardner which inspired the Autospectacular committee to raise money...
The image of local boy Eddie Gardner which inspired the Autospectacular committee to raise money for a Hart Walker.

The inspiration to purchase the Hart Walker came about when Autospectacular committee members saw a photo on the front page of the newspaper last year, which showed an image of Dunedin boy Eddie Gardner using a walker.

Committee chairman Kevin Casey said they were touched by the image. ``We thought it was a very moving story and worthy cause to raise money for. In what could be described as a belated 40th birthday celebration, the Otago Classic Motoring Club will add a significant sum to bring the donation up to $10,000 - the full price of a Hart Walker,'' he said.

 

Riley in his Hart Walker.
Riley in his Hart Walker.

 

ABOUT HART WALKERS
David Hart was born into a family of inventors and  trained as a medical engineer in the United Kingdom. After starting work for a large medical company which was on contract to the Ministry of Health, he worked his way up the ladder to eventually take charge of the company's manufacturing unit and their research and development unit.  His true interests lay within the creation of new and improved products and so, while in his twenties, he decided to dedicate all of his time to research.

David set up his own research and development company in Keighley, Yorkshire.  He was asked to help a little boy with cerebral palsy and on meeting the child, David knew that his plans for the future had been rewritten.

The original walker was designed in 1989, but after a great deal more research the MkII Walker was ready for trial in 1993. David's motto is:  May every child walk with pride, for it is their right.

Although the Hart Walker looks simple, it has up to 1000 working components.  It combines a bracing system used to promote proper body alignment with a walking base, and is designed to encourage the correct walking gait: north/south steps instead of uncontrolled movement.

The Hart Walker is the only hands-free walker available and allows children the opportunity to experience walking, often for the first time in their lives. It supports the body but leaves the child's hands free for touching and interacting. All other walkers require the child to hold onto the frame.

Callum and Tim Flett getting out and about in their Hart Walkers.
Callum and Tim Flett getting out and about in their Hart Walkers.
Health benefits can include improved circulation, respiration, digestive system, muscle control and improved balance and co-ordination. Social benefits include a positive personality change, increased self-esteem, better interaction with others and better social communication.

Once a child is used to the walker, it can become very manoeuvrable.

The Child Mobility Foundation was established by the Lions Club and it is delighted that Autospectacular is supporting it's work with the purchase of a new Hart Walker.

``We're rapt that they offered their support for a child in need. We've raised money for several Hart Walkers in the Otago District so far and they're proving to make a real difference in the life of children who suffer from severe mobility issues,'' Port Chalmers District Lions Club mobility chairperson Ella Butson said.


Heart-warming comments from Hart Walker families

``Hart Walkers have been amazing for our family. From the age of 3 right through until our boys were about 16, the Hart Walker gave them the opportunity to have freedom of movement. To walk and run in the outdoors alongside their friends and family. This experience was priceless.'' - Barb Flett


``Our son received his Hart Walker at 3 years old from the Lions Club/Child Mobility Foundation and it was a great addition to his life. It was amazing to get him upright, well supported, and allowed us to encourage him to step. The Hart Walker provides great support for our son, with its strong upright exoskeleton design allowing him to focus on stepping and other things in his surrounds. The base provides great stability and the easy-glide wheels transfer any effort into movement inside and outside. He really enjoys being upright, like others, moving around seeing the world from another perspective. When he steps and moves himself he becomes very excited - one of our most amazing moments was when our son was 7 and took off in his Hart Walker, walking right around the outside of our house in an excited frenzy. He repeated this feat several times and it was only made possible with the Hart Walker. This type of activity greatly improves the health of our son, giving his lungs a good workout and strengthens his muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. The Hart Walker is a family event, everyone lending a hand to encourage our son. At 11 now, after many size adjustment sessions, our son still enjoys his original Hart Walker and now and again will take off with great joy and laughter - a big thankyou to the Lions and the Child Mobility Foundation for making this possible." - Rowena Bell

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