Life-changing therapy support for Prayaag

Prayaag’s goals

Prayaag has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This is causing a progressive loss of mobility and muscle strength, which impacts his ability to complete activities and tasks independently.

When Prayaag started accessing Therapy services with Northcott, he told us his goal was to remain as independent as possible.

“I wanted to be able to go to the movies and shops with my friends – without the support of my mother or a support worker. I wanted to order food independently at food courts, and complete wood technology and hospitality subjects at school,” Prayaag recalls.

Prayaag’s Northcott Occupational Therapist, Erin Thornton, identified areas where therapy could support him to achieve his goals.

“One of the main barriers to Prayaag’s goals was loss of strength in his upper limbs (hand, arm, shoulder) due to his disability. This affected his ability to reach outwards and upwards for objects in his environment from a seated position in his wheelchair,” says Erin.

Around this time, Prayaag was also starting to outgrow his power wheelchair.

Finding a solution

Erin identified that a standing power wheelchair might give Prayaag the independence he was looking for. A standing wheelchair supports a user to be in an upright or standing position, allowing them to interact with people and objects at eye level.

Prayaag and his family were keen to explore this option, so Erin began a lengthy assessment and trial process.

“The assessment, which was conducted in liaison with Prayaag’s physiotherapist and other health and medical professionals, started with identifying the issues Prayaag was currently experiencing with his wheelchair,” explains Erin.

“It involved assessing his posture to ensure that the seating on the new wheelchair would meet his postural support needs and provide him with a functional seated position.

“Prayaag also completed trials of the standing power wheelchair so that we could assess, measure and gather evidence of the functional benefits he received from being able to move in and out of a standing position. We also needed to confirm that the wheelchair was compatible with the environments he spends his time, such as home and school,” Erin says.

Erin was also involved in Prayaag’s application for NDIS funding to cover the cost of the wheelchair and the additional therapy he would need to get the most from the equipment.

“I was able to advocate for Prayaag’s needs and communicate just how beneficial the standing wheelchair is for his independence and ability to engage in activities,” Erin explains.

New-found independence

Since receiving his new standing wheelchair in September 2022, Prayaag has been enjoying a whole new level of independence.

“I can now get snacks or a drink from the cupboard or fridge at home, use the microwave, and help my family with preparing meals. I can help mum with the grocery shopping and get items from the shelves, order my own food at the food court, play arcade games at Time Zone and more independently access the equipment in the wood technology and hospitality rooms at school,” Prayaag says.

Standing has also had some huge social benefits for Prayaag. He is now able to stand up and hug his mum. He also says his friends tend to hang around and talk to him more at school when he’s standing up and at eye level with them.

“It’s been so rewarding to see all of the functional tasks that Prayaag can do now…and all of the other social and psychological benefits that have flowed on from this,” says Erin.