Navigating city streets and teenage life with the Crocodile All-Terrain

Caroline lives in the historic coastal town of Faaborg, Denmark, with her mother, Birthe, and older sister, Josephine. Both sisters were adopted from Vietnam when they were eight months old. Shortly after Caroline arrived in Denmark, a physiotherapist noticed signs of delayed motor development. Within a week, Caroline was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Today, Caroline is a strong-willed and independent teenager who knows exactly what she wants—especially when it comes to how her assistive devices are configured. Her diagnosis means she experiences decreased muscle strength, reduced postural control, and increased muscle tone in both her arms and legs. She is particularly challenged by the motor control in her left arm and hand, which makes gripping standard walker handles difficult. To participate fully in everyday life and maintain her mobility, she requires a walking aid that compensates for these physical challenges while providing a sense of security.

A solution focused on stability and participation

To ensure Caroline can walk efficiently and safely, her Crocodile All-Terrain (AT) is equipped with specific accessories tailored to her needs. She uses forearm supports with handgrips, which allow her to stay upright and keep her balance. The forearm supports create a larger weight-bearing surface, increasing her overall stability and enabling her to steer the walker without having to rely on gripping the left handle. Additionally, brakes help slow the Crocodile AT when she is walking downhill, giving her the security she needs to navigate uneven terrain with confidence.

Faaborg is a beautiful old town, but its charming cobblestone streets previously posed a significant barrier. With her previous walker, the wheels would frequently get stuck between the stones, which unfortunately led to a decrease in her activity levels over the past few years. The Crocodile AT, designed with larger, robust wheels, has completely solved this issue. Caroline can now walk freely through the central streets. Her mother no longer needs to hold onto the walker for extra security; instead, Birthe’s biggest task is simply keeping up with Caroline’s fast pace.

Everyday life and managing energy

Like many young people with cerebral palsy, Caroline experiences fatigue after a long day at school. Managing her energy levels is essential. While her extracurricular activities are carefully balanced, she enjoys horseback riding once a week and attends a group exercise class at a physiotherapy clinic twice a week. On quieter afternoons, she loves watching films and series on her tablet or making jewellery with her sister.

To maximise her independence at home, Caroline has two Crocodile walkers - one for upstairs and one for downstairs. This setup allows her to move freely around the house, meaning she can independently head to the kitchen to prepare a light meal whenever she is hungry. For travelling longer distances, she uses a wheelchair to conserve her energy.

Looking toward the future

Caroline is currently in the 10th grade at a public school that provides specialised support for children with significant learning and physical challenges. However, she is quickly approaching a new chapter. Having been part of the same school system since she was six years old, she is now preparing for youth education.

With a strong aptitude for mathematics and computer science, Caroline and her mother are actively looking for a specially designed educational programme that focuses on these subjects. Their current goal is to find a school with fully accessible facilities, allowing Caroline to use her walker to attend classes independently, rather than relying solely on her wheelchair.

Assistive devices, when properly matched to the user and their environment, are powerful tools for increasing participation. For Caroline, the Crocodile AT provides the freedom to engage with her community and the confidence to take the next big leap in her life. Only time will tell what the future holds for her, but with her determination and the right support, it is certain to be a bright one.