Scarlett's Story

Scarlett's Mum, Asha, sat in front of the window waiting for the Acheeva to arrive, and was in touch a few days after delivery to confirm that it was already "working wonders". 

Asha said "Scarlett, who has very complex needs, attends a special school every day and returned home yesterday afternoon with significant respiratory problems. We popped her straight on to her new Graduate, using the support pack to keep her in the best position to assist her breathing and, in no time at all, she was comfortable, relaxed and settled". 

Asha is certain the Acheeva will make an enormous difference, not just for Scarlett, but for the whole family, especially when their new baby arrives in June as this means they can change Scarlett, position her correctly and include her in family activities without having to leave her on the floor or in her bedroom. 

“This piece of equipment adds another dimension to physiotherapy techniques allowing us to provide alternative ways of applying the knowledge of the learner and their needs, with treatments and interventions whilst the learner is doing something else. This style of ‘surreptitious physio’ is a particularly good tool to use with clients with multiple and complex needs.”

Paula Manning, Physiotherapy Manager, Portland College, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
National college for people with a wide range of disabilities providing education and vocational training for up to 300 students

“Pupils fight to get on the Acheeva, it makes a difference to the learning experience because the pupils can be involved. For one pupil with a new moulded chair it is only possible to sit in it for 1 hour at a time. Although the pupil is not mobile by listening and seeing things the pupil can be included. From a teaching assistant’s point of view the Acheeva is easy to manage and fits through a standard doorway which means it is really easy to get in and out of the building. The mattress is very good because it can be adjusted for each individual.”

Sue Pullen, Moving & Handling Co-ordinator, Frederick Holmes School

Acheeva User Quotes February 2012 as part of National The National Star College Video for the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) as part of the DfE’s Green Paper on Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational Needs and disability

“The Acheeva has made a huge difference to people’s lives. We are not educational focussed but we run two day centres providing support for people with severe physical disabilities.

There is no other alternative to encourage people to get out of their chairs and improve posture. For service users this makes a big difference to the activities that people can get involved in. It is also good for the support staff as people are not on the floor with a bean bag or mat. This is good for support staff’s backs.

From the floor the service user is limited in what they can see but the Acheeva allows them to see what is going on around them. This is so much more enjoyable for them and beneficial to posture.

Some users have the Symmetrisleep system at home during the night and then they can continue with postural support during the day. The two go hand in hand. For users with severe curvatures the Acheeva prevents further deterioration. For most users their physical well being is much improved because some people could only tolerate sitting in their chairs for a short period of time and then they would be moved to the floor but now the Acheeva is a good alternative. They can see what is going on around them and get involved in activities.”

Quote by Fiona Adams, Charge Nurse, Kilton View/The Orchard Day Service, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust

“The Acheeva enables greater participation in class based activities for children when positioned in alternative postures to sitting. The versatility of having a height adjustable, manoeuvrable system that enables positioning in prone, supine and side lying is invaluable in caring for a child with disabilities.”

Quote by Tanya Gibson, Dame Hannah Rogers School 

“Since the new school opened in September last year we are now using Acheevas. The Moving & Handling implications have been significant with less work done on the floor. Children are no longer on the floor having chest physio and other children climbing all over them. On the Acheeva they are safer and upright. The children can be at peer group level and positioning is good. More physically challenged children can get in the right position, relax and focus on learning as they are comfier.

Easily adjustable to different children and they have a photo of each child’s positioning points front and back which is laminated. The staff don’t have to alter much just brackets and Velcro and it is simple to use. One child has pressure sores and spends a lot of time on her tummy so on the Acheeva she is positioned on her tummy and put up to the table to work.

Hoisting on and off the Acheeva is easily done. One child can now use a banana board to get on and off because the height is adjustable and this encourages more independence. People working with the children do not have to keep kneeling on the floor and can get at the right level. The Acheeva is easy to push and manoeuvrable. The appearance of the beds is very child friendly.”

Quote by Jane Field, Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, Barnsley Paediatric Therapy Team, Greenacre School