Member Article

National award for standing frame that transforms the lives of children with neurological difficulties

Postural care manufacturer Jenx has won a national award for a standing frame that transforms the lives of children with cerebral palsy around the world.

The Standz abduction stander was named Best Product at the 23rd British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) Awards, which recognise the best in mobility, independent living and rehabilitation.

Sheffield-based Jenx is a family business that manufactures innovative products to help children with special postural needs including seating, standing, sleeping and therapy equipment.

Standz is the first tool-free standing frame that facilitates neutral and abducted standing positions in children aged one to nine in home, school and therapy environments, styled to appeal to children and families with a modern, playful and non-clinical look.

Children with neurological disabilities such as cerebral palsy are at high risk of developing deformities of the hip joints. Research has proven that abducted standing in early years has a positive impact on the development of an intact, maturing hip socket for children with delayed physical development.

A well implemented programme of abducted standing can prevent the need for painful, risky and complex hip surgery, drastically improving the health and wellbeing of the child and their family.

Since it was first manufactured in Sheffield in 2017, around 500 Standz units have been sold in 10 countries. Jenx hopes the award will provide a springboard to raise further awareness of how abducted standing can transform young lives.

Dan Limb, Divisional Director at Jenx, said: “This award is a fantastic achievement for everyone across the business. It recognises the hard work, dedication and creativity that has gone into creating a truly special product.

“At Jenx we love taking ideas and evolving them into outstanding products which have a transformative impact on the lives of disabled children and their families and carers.

“Local expertise in materials finishing enabled us to develop an aesthetically pleasing, structurally robust stander that is manufactured entirely in-house.

“We hope the awareness generated by this award will encourage more therapists and families around the world to experience the life-changing benefits that Standz offers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Abbott .