Playful and inclusive family activities in a supported standing position

On a cold November afternoon, just as the first snow was beginning to fall, we visited Charlie and his family. Charlie, almost three years old, walked around the house in his R82 Pony and was eager to see what the photographer was setting up. He also peeked into his big sister Hannah’s room, hoping to join her play and perhaps get a chance to participate in her creative projects. 

While little brother Pelle was taking a nap, Charlie and Hannah went in the kitchen to bake muffins. Hannah was responsible for mixing the dough, while Charlie prepared the muffin forms. Charlie needed a little support from his father with the muffin forms as his hand function is affected. It required his full concentration to prepare the muffin forms, but he was clearly motivated by the activity.  

Charlie was born with cytomegalovirus, commonly referred to as CMV*. Children with CMV can be affected in many different ways; most will not show any symptoms, some will experience hearing loss, while in more rare cases, the child may experience severe functional impairments. Charlie also has cerebral palsy (CP), which was caused by the CMV, affecting his functional abilities as well as his ability to participate in daily activities without support. He can briefly take full weightbearing when supported at the hips, but he is hypotonic and has decreased muscle power, meaning that his legs easily collapse under him. This makes standing for longer periods challenging, especially during activities that also require fine motor skills. 

A solution focused on stability and participation 

For Charlie to maintain a standing position for longer periods and to actively engage in meaningful activities, the right support is essential. The Addax standing frame provides exactly that. Charlie’s feet are secured in 3D adjustable sandals, while the 3D adjustable knee supports give him the stability needed to stand. Thanks to the ratchet system, his father can easily tighten the knee supports during positioning, ensuring a safe and comfortable fit. The swing-away support belt combined with the sacrum support prevent his legs from collapsing, giving Charlie the necessary support to stay upright.  

To enable Charlie to fully engage in activities like baking or playing with kinetic sand, the tray is positioned close to his body. A chest support mounted on the tray offers firm and surrounding support at the trunk, giving Charlie the postural stability he needs to use his arms and hands effectively. This setup allows him to focus on the fun, whether it’s preparing muffin forms or creating shapes in the sand, without worrying about balance or fatigue. 

Later that afternoon, Charlie moved on to his next favourite activity: playing with kinetic sand. Standing securely in the Addax, he explored textures and shapes with his hands, smiling as he built small sand structures together with Hannah. These moments of play with his sister are more than just fun; they are opportunities for Charlie to develop his motor skills, strengthen his body, and experience independence in a safe and supported way. 

For Charlie and his family, participation is key. Every small step towards independence matters, and with the right assistive solutions, those steps become possible. The Addax standing frame not only supports Charlie physically but also opens the door to joyful experiences that strengthen family bonds and contribute to his overall development and wellbeing. 

 *Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widespread and common virus, and most people become infected with it at some point during their lives. Symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. The virus will remain in the white blood cells for the duration of a person’s life, where the virus can either be reactivated or the person can get reinfected. In rare cases, a pregnant woman can pass on the CMV infection to her unborn child, and the risk is higher if she gets infected for the first time during pregnancy compared to if she carried the virus prior to the pregnancy (reactivation or reinfection). Not every child born infected with CMV will have any symptoms.