The diagnosis of Nao’s disease
Nao is a small boy who is going to turn 7. In September 2023, as he was entering first grade, he started to have difficulties to walk. At first, the doctor thought he had a transient synovitis. However, Nao was still limping in the following weeks.
His doctor prescribed him crutches to walk and made him do a pelvis x-ray. It did not reveal any problem.
A few weeks later, Nao did an MRI scan and this allowed to detect the Legg-Calvé -Perthes disease. This disease affects the cartilage and the bone of the hip. In Nao’s case, it means that his femoral head undergoes necrosis. Fortunately, because Nao is young, his bone will rebuild itself but it is going to take between 2 to 3 years.
For now, he is not allowed to run or jump and even to walk. His femoral head might warp which could make the operation impossible. So, before he can play soccer with his friends once again, he must adapt and he became very good with crutches. He also uses a wheelchair to move, particularly when he is travelling longer distances.
Keep playing and moving despite the disease
If Nao can very well play inside, he also loves to move like all children his age. It is in this context that PlayMoovin’s team met his mother.
She heard of the KidsMoovin’ – a plastic sport wheelchair made for children and certified by the study and research centre for the equipment of disabled people (CERAH) – because she wanted to meet other parents who have children suffering from this disease.
This wheelchair allows them to keep a certain mobility, even when they suffer from a disability or from an invalidating disease.
Equipped with his KidsMoovin’, Nao can now let off steam in the park next to his home. And this is a big plus according to his mother: “The wheelchair is very easy to use and is safe. Nao cannot be hurt or fall. Moreover, we can carry it around easily because we have a small truck. The wheels are easy to take off. Of course, it is better not to use it at home! A gymnasium, a stadium or a park are way more adapted to the use of this wheelchair.” On that note, Nao’s mother took the necessary steps so that Nao can use his wheelchair during playtime at school, which will allow him to recover a certain mobility.
Practice a sport without being able to use your legs
This multisport wheelchair is prefect for physical practice, even when the user’s mobility is reduced. Numerous sports can be played:
- Wheelchair basketball;
- Wheelchair tennis;
- Wheelchair padel;
- Etc.
But because it is a wheelchair adapted to sport practice; it also allows to raise awareness of disabilities among different groups of people.
The KidsMoovin’ is thus used is school playgrounds (from preschool to high school) but is also used in activity centres. It allows children to realise how people reduced mobility go about their daily life.
There also exists an adult version of the disease: the FreeMoovin’. It contributes to the organisation of awareness activities in companies.
Despite the challenges forced upon Nao because of his disease, he remains active thanks to his plastic sport wheelchair. The KidsMoovin’ allows people to move safely and creates opportunities to practice many sport activities. You want to know more about this topic and/or you want to organise an activity to raise awareness of disabilities? What if you contacted us to do so?
