Frequently Asked Questions
Which device will be best for my child and how will I know?
My child lacks head control, do either of these devices address this?
How easily transportable is the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
Will my child be able to use the MkII Hart Walker or TAOS in school and will his Physical Therapists and Aids know how to use it?
How often will my child need a growth adjustment?
How will I know when my child needs a growth adjustment?
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Why do you have only Friday afternoons and Saturday’s available?
Will Insurance cover the cost of the MkII Hart Walker or the TAOS?
What other private funding organizations can we contact?
How long has the MkII Hart Walker been available in the United States?
Who can be a Provider of the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
Why do you have to be a certified Orthotist in order to become a provider of the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
Which device will be best for my child and how will I know?
Every child with musculoskeletal involvement present with different challenges. If your child can initiate step voluntarily, we suggest you fill out the Request for Assessment form and we will contact you after we review all your information. Typically, trunk posture, size (height and weight), type of diagnosis, their physical presentation, including hypotonicity versus hypertonicity, extension versus flexion synergies etc. help us to determine at their trial, which device will be most appropriate.
Not only children diagnosed with Cerebal Palsy are using the MkII Hart Walker and/or TAOS.
We invite you to visit our Testimonial page and read about Jimmy who was diagnosed with:
Hydrocephalus, Microcephaly, Colpocephaly, Agenesis of the Corpus Collasum, Chorioretinitis, Macular Colobomas, Cerebral Palsy (Spastic Quadriplegia), with Hyperreflexia, Lennox Gastaut Seizure Disorder, an asymmetric aortic valve and nerve deafness in one ear. This was all secondary to Lymphocytic Choriomeninigitis (LCMV), which is due to his Mother’s exposure to a pet guinea pig infected with a virus while she was pregnant with Jimmy. Jimmy’s family were told because of the severity of his condition(s), Jimmy would not be able to walk.
Also on our Testimonial Page is Daniel, who was diagnosed with Polymicogyria (PMG) a malformation of the brain.
Visit our Testimonial Page to see Jimmy’s and Daniel’s story and photos.– back to top –
My child lacks head control, do either of these devices address this?
Yes, both the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS address this with Head Restraints that will help keep your child from throwing her head backwards. – back to top –
How easily transportable is the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
As you can see from our Photo Gallery and Testimonials, parents take both devices everywhere…to school, the grocery store, the hardware store, on vacations, bowling, anywhere you would like. The bracing systems on both devices detach from the base making it much easier to transport.
With the TAOS, the base comes apart into three sections with simple quick-release levers, which enable it to be broken down quickly. It will fit into the smallest compact car trunk.
Like any piece of equipment, it takes time, practice and consistency to get used to. There are parents out there who would be happy to give you tips on how they incorporate the MkII Hart Walker or TAOS into their child’s daily routine.– back to top –
Will my child be able to use the MkII Hart Walker or TAOS in school and will
his Physical Therapists and Aids know how to use it?
Yes!! Absolutely your child should use his walker in school. Our Clinician, John Olin, will come to your child’s school to In-Service/teach the staff how to put your child into and take out of the MkII Hart Walker or the TAOS. He will also inform them what to look for when your child might need a growth adjustment. We make ourselves available via e-mail and phone for the Physical Therapist and/or Aids if they have any questions. – back to top –
How often will my child need a growth adjustment?
Hard to say…we find it could be anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on how quickly and how often your child grows.– back to top –
How will I know when my child needs a growth adjustment?
With the MkII Hart Walker, you may notice that his heels may hit the back bar, he is slouching, the wheels on the base will start losing contact with the ground during a step and the chest pad will be lower than the chest area.
With the TAOS, you may notice that your childs hips and knees do not match the hip and knee joints on the bracing system. Because of this, you will see that it is more difficult for your child to walk.
With both devices, if you notice the shoes are too tight or small, that will signify that your child has grown also indicating that an adjustment is needed.– back to top –
How long does it take to get an appointment?
We schedule appointments for trials, deliveries and adjustments here in our Cheshire Connecticut office, 2 Saturdays of the month. John will visit your child’s school on Friday afternoons when available for In-services to the school staff.
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Why do you have only Friday afternoons and Saturday’s available?
John is a Certified Orthotist that practices Full-Time out of a private practice in Bethel Connecticut.
The business of Great Strides is separate from his Full-Time practice, he can only see patient’s on his own time.
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Will Insurance cover the cost of the MkII Hart Walker or the TAOS?
Most Insurance Companies will cover at least, if not all the cost of the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS. We will need a prescription from your child’s Doctor (that we provide), a Letter of Justification (from your child’s Physical Therapist) and other extensive documentation that we send to the Insurance Company.
If your Insurance is New York State Medicaid, we advise that you seek private funding for the MkII Hart Walker as it is very difficult to get approval from them.
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How long does it take from the time my child has a trial to when the MkII Hart Walker or TAOS is delivered to him/her?
It depends on how long it takes for the Doctor and Physical Therapist to get us the proper paperwork, then how long the Insurance Company takes to approve coverage. It could range from approximately 3 weeks to 2 months.– back to top –
What other private funding organizations can we contact?
Your local United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), the Kiwanas, the Shriner’s, The Rotarty Club are where some parent’s have received funding. Call your towns Social Services, they can direct you to other organizations as well.
We had a Mother who received funding from a local Radio Station.
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How long has the MkII Hart Walker been available in the United States?
The original Hart Walker was developed in 1989 by David Hart in Keighley, England, it became the Mk I Hart Walker. After Working with the Mk I Hart Walker for four years, Mr. Hart redesigned the walker making it lighter and easier to use, thus the development of the MkII Hart Walker in 1993. In the fall of 1998 a clinical team from OrthProActive Consultants Inc. was trained and became the first clinicians to have the expertise to bring the MkII Hart Walker to the children in North America.
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Who can be a Provider of the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
Only a Certified Orthotist can become a provider of either the MkII Hart Walker or the TAOS.
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Why do you have to be a certified Orthotist in order to become a provider of the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS?
The bracing system of both the MkII Hart Walker and the TAOS is extensive and a Certified Orthotist has the knowledge, education and training needed in order to service, provide and adjust both devices to maximize your child’s walking ability in a safe manner. – back to top –
