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IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE - NEVER USE ANY EQUIPMENT LIKE THIS WITHOUT CLOSE AND DIRECT PARENTAL SUPERVISION AND AN APPROVED LIFE JACKET ON THE PERSON USING IT.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER - THE SUBMITTER ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY IN ANYWAY FOR ANYONE WHO BUILDS OR USES A SIMILAR DEVICE.
Sorry, I didn't take pictures during the build of this device, but will try to display the most appropriate picture for each step.
THE PROBLEM: When the family goes swimming, either in a pool or at the lake, my daughter, who has Cerebral Palsy, would either just have to float around in a life jacket, or be carried around by an adult. Either way she had no independence. Also, because she is so skinny and isn't moving around, she would get cold very quickly, even on a warm day.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER - THE SUBMITTER ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY IN ANYWAY FOR ANYONE WHO BUILDS OR USES A SIMILAR DEVICE.
Sorry, I didn't take pictures during the build of this device, but will try to display the most appropriate picture for each step.
THE PROBLEM: When the family goes swimming, either in a pool or at the lake, my daughter, who has Cerebral Palsy, would either just have to float around in a life jacket, or be carried around by an adult. Either way she had no independence. Also, because she is so skinny and isn't moving around, she would get cold very quickly, even on a warm day.
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Locate a suitable long-shaft, waterproof, battery powered motor. I got mine from Canadian Tire. It is shown here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM7NXDFMhpg
The chair part is useless for most disabled kids as it provides no support, but can be used without the motor so it isn't a total waste. Please note that I do not work for Canadian Tire or Fluid.
I know there are no Canadian Tire's in the U.S., but I would think that many outdoors or department stores would carry the Fluid line of products. That motor is actually used in a few of their products, so should be easy to get.
You will then need to get some pontoons from the old-style water-loungers or something similar, or rig up something yourself. Check garage sales. Make sure whatever you use or make is wide and long enough to ensure that it is stable and will not flip over.
Finally, use the seating system from one of your old wheelchairs. This one is from our daughter's old Kimba stroller. For obvious safety reasons, we removed all of the belts and restraints. By doing this, the seating is still adjustable, and can grow with the child.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM7NXDFMhpg
The chair part is useless for most disabled kids as it provides no support, but can be used without the motor so it isn't a total waste. Please note that I do not work for Canadian Tire or Fluid.
I know there are no Canadian Tire's in the U.S., but I would think that many outdoors or department stores would carry the Fluid line of products. That motor is actually used in a few of their products, so should be easy to get.
You will then need to get some pontoons from the old-style water-loungers or something similar, or rig up something yourself. Check garage sales. Make sure whatever you use or make is wide and long enough to ensure that it is stable and will not flip over.
Finally, use the seating system from one of your old wheelchairs. This one is from our daughter's old Kimba stroller. For obvious safety reasons, we removed all of the belts and restraints. By doing this, the seating is still adjustable, and can grow with the child.
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I see that your daughter has outgrown it, but I'm certain there are tons of kids who want to ride it (I know I would). Snap a picture next time it's in the water.
Father of the Year Winner!
I am awe struck.
I want one! Looks like fun.
People without disabilities do things that are risky from a safety perspective all the time. Riding a bike is dangerous, Kayak boating is dangerous, driving is dangerous, rock climbing is dangerous. Stepping outside your door is dangerous. While one should do everything possible to minimize risk, simply leaving one's home can be dangerous. One should not stop experiencing life simply because there is some risk.
Yes... someone should be nearby in the event this boat flips. But... I think the experience for any kid with a disability to be able to move about on the water... and the freedom and self-confidence that provides is well worth the small risk. You are right about one thing... this dad does deserve father of the year and should be very proud of building something so fantastic for his child. Great job!
It was a bon mot based on his display method, a butterfly could knock that over.
It is hard to visualize the waterline in these pictures, but the center of gravity for this device is very low and its stance is very wide, so a tip over is virtually impossible. I have seen this device traverse one foot waves from the wake of a boat with no issue at all. That's the biggest waves we see on our lake. That said I wouldn't use it in big chop, out in the ocean, in a wave pool, etc or with a child that was severely disabled. You have to have common sense of course.
Basically, I built it as stable as you can get, but being an ex-lifeguard and experienced sailor, that wasn't enough for me, so I tried to deliberately flip it over by lifting it up past the crest of the biggest waves in shallower water. As hard as I could I could not get it to flip left to right or to the front. I was able to get it to flip back (but not over), but my daughter simply slipped out and the PFD did its work.
Irrespective of disability I am sure there are a million parents who would still say "I would never put my child on one of those." Those are probably the same parents that would never let their child ride a mini dirt bike or kid sized snowmobile on their own and I respect their opinion, I am just not one of them. I believe kids, even disabled ones, need to get out and explore and build their independence, even if there is an element of danger. According to our therapist, my daughter was one of the youngest children she had seen to ever get a powered wheelchair. Yes we have had issues, but her increased self confidence far outweighs those concerns.
Thanks again for all of the posts, both positive and critical.
Thanks again for the kind words and funny posts. This is my first interactive internet post and has been a lot of fun!
This really is amazing work! Good on ya!
I have a great deal of respect for anyone who takes the time to help a child.