Proper weight-bearing on long bones helps prevent osteoporosis while improving circulation, muscle tone and functioning of internal organs. To help children keep a positive mindset, Mary Lou Tierney, a master's graduate of Georgia Tech's industrial design program, has created a prone stander with lots of panache. Prone standers traditionally have been designed to work at the therapist's level-meaning that children are elevated to adult height. Many children spend three or four hours a day in a prone stander, and that is a long time to be separated from playmates. Corkran helped Tierney with mechanical issues and construction of the prototype.
Placement is another departure from the norm.
When this happens, weight is not really applied, and strapping can cause pressure sores. In contrast, The Buddy System uses wider straps and unique cushioning that supports the body, but still allows weight to be transferred. Instead of traditional foam padding, cushioning at the torso, knees and hips is composed of an inch-thick gel. Accommodating children from 25 to 40 inches in height, The Buddy System is easy for therapists to position children in place. Yet there are few removable parts, which is important in the clinical settings where pieces can be easily lost.