Prone standers allow children with mobility impairments to stand upright. 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 attitude, Mary Lou Tierney, a master's graduate of Georgia Tech's industrial design program, has created a user-friendly prone stander. Many impaired children spend three or four hours a day in a prone stander, and that is a long time to be separated from playmates. For example, the multicolor flecks on the polycarbonate tubing help hide scuff marks and food stains.
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 comprised of an inch-thick gel. Besides gaining more experience with human factor design, I wanted to do something with social merit and recognized there was a need. Fla. One of Tierney's biggest challenges was designing the system for a broad range of users.