19 months old and blind improves confidence in walking wearing a Pediatric Belt Cane

Описание: The concern her family and therapists have is that even though she began walking at 15 months, at 18 months her walking ability had not progressed as expected. Compare side by side videos– the black and white film is footage from a research study on typically developing toddlers’ walking development and her videos.
Notice how similar at 18 months, Annalise’s walking is to this 15-month-old boy’s- the key feature is their legs are stiff, they don’t bend their knees mid-stance, their steps are uneven and their feet land flat on the floor.
Holding on to someone or something is like an oasis for blind toddlers. On the right, without an assistive safety device she stands holding on to a wall and begins to lick it. In middle video, as her Cane frame is attached to the belt, she steadies herself by leaning on her mother, and after standing a few seconds she seeks to return to her oasis, her mother’s steady hand.
To improve independent walking, toddlers need to practice walking independently– before the Belt Cane she has learned to wait for a helping hand or seek out an oasis to steady herself on.
Wearing her Pediatric Belt Cane, she more easily walks independently in her backyard around the above ground pool after only one week of wearing her Pediatric Belt Cane. She still tends to seek out an oasis after her long walk to the pool. The stronger and more confident she feels, the less often she will seek out the comfort of an oasis.
After seven weeks of wearing her Pediatric Belt Cane in a mall, we observe a much smoother gait -now 21 months old - her walking resembles that of the sighted 21-month-old boy. When watching their legs taking the next step, it shows a nice knee bend, and their heels strike first, giving them a more efficient gait.
Her mother and therapist sent these videos showing her enjoyment of continuous moving about on her own in the shopping mall. No longer seeking an oasis, she moves about with interest. Which is a greatly improved quality of life and allows her to easily achieve her recommended daily hours of physical activity.
Safe Toddles is a nonprofit organization – we bring safety to blind mobility
To get a Pediatric Belt Cane for your child go to Safetoddles.org/obtaincane