How it all started

Why?

We had previously used a beach wheelchair with our daughter, but we found a number of issues even through it had been expensive. We soon realised that it really did not meet all our needs, it may be fine for some people but just like wheelchairs many children need special additions to make it easier for them to sit comfortably and reduce the strain- The Getabout Buggy was to solve those for us.

Background, how did we end up here?

I had worked in IT engineering design and service for many years, and over the last 15 years that had morphed into medical design and manufacture, even being an finalist in an international competition with a previous invention of mine. What had started as for our daughter suddenly made more sense, it seen by some OT’s who asked could it be productionised, and that was also part of my background, so we made a simpler version and released it.

After we launched the initial basic version that it hit me how many people had exactly the same issues we had, so we set around revising it to meet the needs of more complex care cases as we already knew that the whole family being able to safely go out together makes a huge difference for everyone, just making things easier and changing the way you feel. Its far easier to see this when you come from the end of designing for something you know and understand, as a father and full time carer then things are far clearer.

Our daughters condition changed over time, due to its degenerative nature we found ourselves modifying things so we could go out as a family, its far too easy to say its too complex and isolate yourself, or break the family into 2 separate groups, one staying at home the other going out. Our decision to try and include our daughter led us on a path that we as a company follow today.

Why should families not be able to include everyone, you may well be surprised at how much you can do and how often a smile from someone special can really change the way you see things.