Special Swing - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

simple--man · 05-24-2004, 07:23 PM

Hello,

I am looking for a special swing for my daughter. She has CP and is unable to hold herself in a normal swing. What I am looking for is a swing similar to an infant swing but for an older child. My daughter is 5 years old and weighs 70+ pounds. The swing would ideally fit a Hedstrom metal gym set.

If you have ANY ideas, please let me know.

Thanks very much,

Gary

randadell · 05-24-2004, 08:50 PM

I dont know how to help you, but thought I would pass this on. It might not apply to you but may benefit someone else. I was told to never put my baby in a swing because of his cp and poor head control. His neonatiologist lost a pt with cp because once at home the parents put baby in a swing and her head fell foward and occluded her airway and sadly she died. Just be careful

simple--man · 05-25-2004, 01:42 PM

Thank you randadell. I now know that I should have included the fact that she does have good head control and has been in other swings with no problem. Sorry I left that out.

Gary

PajamaMomma · 05-25-2004, 02:02 PM

Hi, simple--man. Flaghouse and Abilitations sell very nice special needs swings. They can be a bit pricey, though. My 8yr old son with CP uses the standard special needs swing from Flaghouse at his school and he loves it! I wish we had one for home...but we have no room for one

. Also,if you're handy... our OT told us that you can use a booster carseat and carefully adapt it with holes to attach chains (being careful to make sure that it is safe and secure and that all weight will be supported) to use as a swing. But, of course it would be best to talk to an OT or someone else in the field, before attemping this. I hope this was a bit of help to you! Good Luck on finding your daughter a swing!

Hurdy · 06-05-2004, 05:32 AM

Hi Gary, First let me say that i too have a handicapped child ( son, severe brain damage from birth ) and he loves to swing as well but needs a modified one. He will be 8 July 3rd. I seen the perfect swing for him and i believe it was in a magazine i get on a regular basis, the Sportsman's guide, they sell wholesale hunting, fishing, outdoors equipment, plus alot of odds and ends. I know that i have a magazine here somewhere, so i will dig it out just to make sure that i do have the name correct. I know that they also have a website. The swing that i am talking about i am most sure that it would work for your daughter and that will attach to just about anything as well as you have the option to buy a metal frame for it that will assemble and unassembly quickly and small enough to store and use inside the house for her!!!! If you are like me you cant even think about being able to afford to buy something with out of pocket money through places like Flaghouse and Sammons Prestons etc... The best part about this swing and frame is that you can buy both pieces for well under $100.00 !!!!!!!!! The swing itself is made out of a very durable and weather resistant material that when you put her in it will sort of form to her and will keep her in a little bit of a reclined position. ( just right ) Oh yeah, there is also the option to buy a piece that will attach to the bottom of the swing that instead of having her legs always dangling will support the feet too. I will look today for the magazine if you are interested and post it for you. Good luck on your swing quest!!!!! Wendy