Remember sophia...
Educate with the abc's in wheelchair safety:
Attend * Beware * Call-Out
Sophia's Gift © 2014
overview:
After Sophia's tragic accident, the family sought answers into how this could have happened. The lap belt and butterfly harness were tightened on her pediatric wheelchair, and the brake was set so that Sophia could watch her favorite television show. With Sophia's limited abilities, SHE was able to loosen her lap belt. When she did this, Sophia slipped down in her chair, and was asphyxiated by the lap belt, just feet away from her mother and her sister. The family had no knowledge that this action was even a possibility.
After Sophia's accident we found that her pediatric wheelchair did not have have stroller safety standards, even though it looked and was pushed like a stroller. We were assured her device had passed crash test safety ratings, and conformed to the requirements of ISO 7176-19 safety for wheeled mobility devices for use in motor vehicles. However, this safety rating does not apply when the wheelchair is not secured in a motor vehicle. We erroneously believed that there would have been MORE safety standards on Sophia's wheelchair, not less.
We have found that manual wheelchairs, pediatric or otherwise, are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as a Class I medical device. This is the same classification as elastic bandages, or examination gloves. SophiasGift.Org believed that an FDA reclassification to a Class II medical device would bring improved safety standards, and began the endeavor to have wheelchairs reclassified to a Class II designation. Unfortunately, we have learned that reclassification WILL NOT make wheelchairs free from danger. As wheelchairs are constructed and accessorized with the individual user in mind, they are unique in their design. However, this does not ensure that the products are safe for the user.
ATTENDING:
The ultimate safety precaution falls upon the person in supervision of the user. No matter where you are in the circle of care surrounding the wheelchair user, beware that the ultimate safety responsibility falls on you. Family. Teachers. Caregivers. Occupational Therapist. Physical Therapist. Transportation. Vendor. Manufacturer. Doctor. All of us must be aware of the potential danger with these products.
Sophia's accident could have occurred on the school bus, at the park, in the classroom, anywhere! It happened in her home...
BEWARE:
Sophia attended Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy twice a week to learn skills in managing her environment. When Sophia learned she could loosen the lap belt on her wheelchair, it resulted in her death. Parents and therapists should be proactive, looking ahead to the potential dangers on wheelchairs, and other products, used for children with special needs.
call out:
The United States Food and Drug Administration requires when an unexpected event in a wheelchair occurs, it must be reported to them by the person who has witnessed the event. This includes injuries, malfunctions, break downs, defects, and deaths. These should also be reported to the vendor who maintains the wheelchair, and the manufacturer who made it. There is a link on our Call-Out Page at SophiasGift.Org.