- Debby Elnatan invented the Upsee to help her son who has cerebral palsy
- Harness attaches to an adult and allows child to stand upright and walk
- Now on sale globally via Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Leckey
11:42 EST, 24 March 2014
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14:47 EST, 24 March 2014
A mother’s invention that gave her wheelchair-bound son the chance to walk has been launched onto the worldwide market.
A Northern Ireland company has turned Debby Elnatan’s idea for a walking harness into a product that could transform the lives of countless disabled children.
Mrs Elnatan, a music therapist, came up with the concept to help her young son Rotem, who has cerebral palsy.
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Miracle steps: From left, Claire and Daniel Smyth, Louise and Bethany Watson and Cameron and Charlotte Taylor take the Firefly Upsee for a test run
Delight: From left Daniel Smyth, five, Bethany Watson, and Charlotte Taylor, both three, gave the invention their seal of approval
She designed a support harness that would enable Rotem to stand upright and, by attaching it to herself, let parent and child take steps together.
After a global search for a company to mass-produce her “Upseeâ€, the Israeli mother chose Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Leckey, which has a long track record in making equipment for children with special needs.
After successful trials with families in the UK, US and Canada, the Firefly Upsee was today launched globally.
‘It is wonderful to see this product available to families across the world,’ said Ms Elnatan, who was at the official unveiling at the Leckey factory in Lisburn.
Striding out: The harness attaches around an adult’s waist to hold the child upright, they can then walk in step with their parent, as demonstrated by Charlotte and CameronÂ
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weAll – iNothing,
London, United Kingdom,
3 hours ago
As a way of teaching all my kids to walk I use to let them stand on my feet and would walk around the living room etc. Well done lady for taking something so simple to the next level for children that can really benefit from it. Good luck with the venture.
bert,
KY USA,
4 hours ago
Cool idea! Looks like it’s for very short walks and not for strolling around town. Great way for a non-ambulatory child an experience of walking and seeing the world as a walker. I think this will help with cognitive development.
LBBA,
Perth, Australia,
4 hours ago
Greatest invention ever!
Direi,
Oxford,
4 hours ago
Just lovely
Vicki Harkness,
kingston, Canada,
4 hours ago
how do u buy one of these?
john,
London, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
What happens when she falls or trips over them.
the serf,
christchurch, New Zealand,
4 hours ago
This woman is amazing – her device will help so many children get so much more out of life then ever before.
She has thought up such a clever idea that seems so logical you wonder why no one else ever came up with it much earlier on. Full credit to her.
Emme,
Bristol,
5 hours ago
The twins hugging is adorable! What a fab idea!
Bullfrog,
Wigan, United Kingdom,
5 hours ago
New Horizons for many – Brilliant Concept ! The childrens faces say more than any article .
Harmony,
PERTH West Australia,
5 hours ago
Wonderful. Maybe by the time these gorgeous children grow older, and too large for their parents to hold them upright, new developments will be made.
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