Bath Chair for a Boy with Short Arms « Assistive Technology Design Projects
Designers: Robert Buechler, Aaron Carlson and Lenny Slutsky Supervising Professor: Larry Bohs INTRODUCTION Our client, an 8-year-old boy with Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius (TAR) Syndrome, could not bathe independently because his arms are weak and very short. The Bath Chair has a PVC frame and mesh bath sponges as washing surfaces. A shower caddy is mounted to a safety railing on the right side of the chair, and showerheads attach to the top of the chair and to a safety railing on the left side. The client controls water flow for each showerhead using two push-button valves on a diverter. Using the chair, the client can now bathe independently. SUMMARY OF IMPACT The client previously needed help from his parents to bathe, but now can bathe by himself. His mother commented, “This is a huge step for (him) in terms of personal care for himself. … I can’t put into words the joy it makes me feel seeing him excited about gaining this independence.” TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION The frame of t...