Parkinson's Help Group and other local causes
We have had many requests from charitable organisations to provide Mobilisers for their cause. We are currently fundraising to buy units for a Parkinson's Help Group, where the Mobiliser has been found to offer victims great pain relief and relaxation.
We fund raise by charging a small amount to use the Mobiliser in our Stores. Last year we were able to donate over a thousand pounds to two Charities.
Our longest term user of the Mobiliser in our shops is the Reverend at the Church opposite our Amersham shop. He has been using the Mobiliser twice a week since Spring 2005 and has personally donated hundreds of pounds to Charity.
If you would like to use a Mobiliser for a good cause please write and let us know. We may be able to make a long term loan or help raise funds. If you would like to help us raise funds come and use it in our shop, hire it or buy one - we will contribute to our current charity.
Back in Action is thrilled to have helped ...
Sally, Gabriel and the Mobiliser
Gabriel is a 20 year old young man with autism, epilepsy and with vestiges of Cerebral Palsy. Gabriel also has no speech but a good receptive language. He has had trouble with his walking and gait since his 16th summer, when his legs grew like weeds – but he was on very heavy medication after being in intensive care in the hospital after a prolonged seizure at the beginning of that summer.
We came into Back in Action in November 2006 initially for a pair of MBTs. (which we did get and are wonderful for strengthening Gabriel’s legs) It was there we tried the Mobiliser and I could see immediately the relaxing effect it had on Gabriel in the few minutes he tolerated it.
Here is a brief account of the benefits that the Mobiliser has had on Gabriel.
On first arrival of the Mobiliser, Gabriel could only tolerate it for about 5 minutes. We started with 2 pillows under his head and 2 duvets underneath him. I gently talked him through breathing in and out, and to sigh and to RELAX . . . and when I stopped the machine he was tired and relaxed, and ready to go to sleep!
The 2nd session on the PedBed, (our nickname for the Mobiliser after Pedro Phillipou, Gabriel’s former masseur, who had been a masseur on the British Olympic team. And he is also a great friend). We decided the session should be for his upper body. He just happily got on and zoned out for a full 15 minutes! Again with 2 pillows under his head, he seemed more comfortable like that when the rollers reach his upper back. Then we had a short break and I asked if he like another go with only his legs. He was keen and relaxed into that really well. His legs relaxing and straightening. He was very chilled.
Within weeks Gabriel was very keen. After a month or so, he didn’t need the pillows and enjoyed the good backstretch and letting the rollers let his head roll back. A position he would have never let himself get into previously without being afraid. I think he can feel the benefits of relaxing and how it affects his mood and body. I started to notice as well, that the days he had a PedBed that he rarely had a seizure. Yet, over the weekends while he was away visiting relatives, he has 4 or 5 seizures short and long.
He now does his PedBed with his Personal assistant Ben. We play relaxing Buddhist chanting music throughout and for about a year now we use the relaxing time on the Pedbed to do positive affirmations about the day ahead and Gabriel’s confidence. The combination of total body relaxation, and affirmations has not only benefited Gabriel’s physical ability and effect on lowering the seizure frequency for that day – but has a noticeable effect on Gabriel’s ability to focus and concentrate. Another surprising bonus is the chest expansion and the way Gabriel’s head relaxes and drops back – Gabriel seems to use that moment to do a lot of vocalizing many sounds and seems to have gained some confidence in the sounds of his on voice.
Over the last year I have noted that he remarkably has had no seizures on the days he has a PedBed! And that when he is away on a visit he has seizures mostly everyday, if not 2 or 3!
I think the benefits of the Mobiliser for someone with the problems and challenges Gabriel faces in life are no less than remarkable. The gentle way it teaches someone with autism to relax and tolerate and feel his or her body. The more obvious benefits of relaxation to the challenge of CP. And the surprising benefit of daily intense body and mind relaxation has on his epilepsy. The Mobiliser is a wonderful machine and therapy!
