Case study: Bathtime for teenager with quadriplegic CP is liberated with posture support aid

An infinitely adjustable posture support cushion has transformed bathing for a teenager with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

For teenager George, bathtime has always been compromised. His quadriplegic CP has hitherto meant he was always in a sling to give him the support necessary.

AAT’s Aqua Liberty has changed his situation. It is the first effective answer George’s parents have found to enable him to relax and soak without them intervening.

Designed and developed in the UK in partnership with occupational therapists, Aqua Liberty is a bath support system that fits any user and any bath.

Fitted with any of AAT’s range of infinitely adjustable waterproof and breathable posture support cushions, the Aqua Liberty system holds the bather safely in the water without care assistance. The cushion, in George’s case the Comfortable Plus trunk/pelvis combo, is moulded to precisely and correctly support without pressure.

Aqua Liberty is quick and easy to remove, making the bath available for use by other members of the family. This also eliminates any need for the delay, cost, and disruption of installing specialist baths and bathing equipment.

When not in use in the bath, the base can be rolled up and stowed away. The cushions can be removed and used wherever else sitting support is required, such as in a wheelchair, a car, flying, or canoeing.

Mum Karen Merry says: “We used to have a similar product to this but it used a beaded system and therefore didn’t mould very well to George’s body shape. Plus it recently broke and the beads went everywhere! Think polystyrene balls all over the wet room floor: I’m still finding them now!

“Until we tried Aqua Liberty, we had to keep George’s sling on the in the bath as he is not able to sit up in the bath without support. He was extremely relaxed and comfortable whilst seated in the Aqua Liberty. He absolutely loves the bath so would make good use of this piece of equipment.”