News

In light of International Day of Disabled Persons 2020, PolySpine’s Co-founder Riley Saban was interview by the NSW Health team.

Two articles and one video were posted on the government-run website promoting Polyspine’s product range and highlighting the inspiring work of our father-son team. Working together to spread information about Polyspine’s helpful products, which provide much-needed torso and head support for people with moderate and severe physical disabilities.

What is International Day of Disabled Persons?

International Day of Disabled Persons, is held on the 3rd December annually, aiming to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

In Australia, all levels of the government have pledged to the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which strives for society-wide inclusivity. Enabling people with disabilities to fulfil their potentials as equal citizens and committed to the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities.

Regardless of a physical disability, mobility equipment is generally the most effective support for daily life. Assistive Technology refers to any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they cannot do themselves; assistive aids span a wide range of technologies that increase the mobility of individuals with physical disabilities. Such walking support equipment includes powered wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, functional electrical stimulation and wearable exoskeletons.

What is PolySpine?

As explained in the NSW Health Article, the PolySpine invention is a back brace that attaches to a vest to reinforce and support the spine, core and neck. PolySpine is modular in nature, designed to be customisable for people and fit a range of attachments for different types of activities. It provides support to users with a physical disability so that they can participate in rehabilitative and recreational activities, outside of their main wheelchair or accessibility equipment.

There is a spinal piece and head support that attaches to a wearable supporting vest, on the back of the spinal piece we can attach various PolySpine attachments, which enable people to participate in different new activities. For example, our chair attachment is designed to fit to many chairs, whilst supporting someone wearing PolySpine.

PolySpine is able to help people with a range of disabilities, including people with dyskinesia, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, motor neuron disease and any other disabilities with similar symptomatic profiles.

Riley Gets Interviewed by NSW Health

“Polyspine will empower and encourage people like myself from all over the world, to be more active outside of their wheelchairs” beautifully spoken by Riley is his NSW Health Autobiography “I look forward to the advancements in technology and being involved in creating an inclusive society for all”.

Polyspine is currently in the process of developing a wide range of attachments, where our team is currently working very closely with the University of Technology Sydney and independent engineers to test and fine-tune the Polyspine product range.

Polyspine will enable some individuals to try new experiences for the very first time, even offering new resources for adults with disabilities. Some of Riley’s personal favourites include paddle boarding, independent swimming and the beach wheelchair attachment, which featured on ABC Documentary last year.

In addition to the two articles, NSW Health also posted a video of Riley’s interview apart of International Day of Disabled Persons 2020. Watch the video of Riley himself explaining how handicap support and assistive technology for his cerebral palsy works.

For more information and resources for disabled adults can be found at NDIS and Physical Disability Australia.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a physical disability that impacts your mobility, you may be able to benefit from PolySpine’s customisable supportive exoskeleton. Polyspine’s disability equipment can be used to increase mobility and allows the user to take part in physical activities that they would otherwise not be able to. Disabilities which impact the spine and cause limited mobility are a particular focus of the Polyspine team. Progress is underway to get our project into the hands of people who need it. For more information about PolySpine, contact our team or sign up for a trial.