“Stand Up!” Article on Benefits of Standing Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Isabel standing in the EasyStand Bantam, a sit-to-stand & supine stander for kids.

If you are a parent, grandparent, or pediatric therapist looking for information on standing, this article covers all the basics. “Stand Up! The benefits of standers for children are clear” was featured in the January issue of Quest Magazine. Writer, Kathy Wechsler, talks about every aspect of standing: when to stand, health benefits, types of standers, finding the right stander, and funding for standing frames.

Through out the article you will find information on several different types of standing devices, photos of kids using them & links to manufacturers who provide that standing equipment. This information is great, but the best part is the quotes and advice from physical therapists, suppliers & end-users who use the standers! Morgan Fritz is a 4th grader with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) who uses a mobile stander. Sue Fritz, Morgan’s mom, says “kids think her stander is cool, which makes Morgan feel better about needing it. Plus she’s on the same level as the kids when she’s standing,” says Sue. “Nobody’s looking down at her, so her confidence level is up too.”

In the article, Kathy mentions how important is it to know what is out there & work with a therapist to find the stander that best fits your child. “Parents wouldn’t buy their children shoes that don’t fit,” Mary Fournier, PT, comments in the article, “Why should buying a stander be any different? I always recommend that a child be evaluated by a physical therapist before being placed in a stander.”

Take a few minutes to read this standing article in Quest Magazine published by the MDA-Muscular Dystrophy Association.

What part of this article did you find most useful? Do you have any advice for others who are evaluating standing frames?