Army veteran helps families access early intervention therapy equipment for disabled children

An armed forces veteran from Wolverhampton, Mark Dickinson, has set up a not-for-profit limited company where he uses donations to make early intervention therapy equipment for disabled children.

Mark set up the organisation, KatNat, because his granddaughter has cerebral palsy and had taken private therapy at a cost of £13,000 in Manchester, where she used a piece of equipment called a Pikler triangle. Mark’s daughter, Katie, thought this equipment would be good to use at home.

A Pikler triangle is a triangular-shaped indoor climbing frame. It has a fixed shape climbing triangle with the perfect design proportions to allow young children to pull themselves up.

The equipment was £160, but Mark was sure that he could make one himself, which he did. From there, a friend of Katie’s was told about the equipment that Mark had made and asked for one to be made for her own child too.

After this, Mark was inspired by helping his granddaughter, Nathalene, to make equipment for other children in need.

Mark has now made a variety of equipment, including parallel walking bars and a seat bench. He makes his own versions and variations of therapy equipment and takes inspiration from products sold by hundreds of different suppliers, all from a shed in his garden.

Mark’s service helps families that may be struggling to get the money for their child’s therapy equipment, which may cost hundreds of pounds from a supplier, for a fraction of the price.

All of the money that Mark makes from KatNat goes towards materials and deliveries, which he does himself, so that he can help more children.

On 21 September 2021, KatNat successfully raised £3,000 with 69 supporters in 42 days for disabled children in need of early intervention by giving them free therapy equipment to use at home so that they have a better chance to progress in life.

Mark has mental health issues and PTSD that prevents him from working. He said that creating the therapy equipment “helps me too”.

Check out the KatNat Just Giving page or visit the KatNat Facebook group here.