Anyone use a Kaye reverse walker or similar walker?

duchess0727

Izzy's PT recommended we consider it so we can encourage her to be a little more independent as she is very dependent on us for assistance with walking.  I was just wondering if anyone on this board has experience with them - the process of purchasing one through insurance and also how effective it was?

Thanks in advance!

Sarah

MaxandRuby

We have a Gator Snug Seat that we are borrowing from early intervention. With that, I haven't had to purchase one so I have no experience with insurance regarding one. I don't post pictures/videos on here but I'd be happy to email you a couple of short videos of DS2 using his (he is almost 20mos now). His is currently used for walking practice and working on weight shifting.

MummyGruetzie

We don't have a Kaye, but our vendor brought us one that's essentially the same to try out--which we have set up as a reverse right now. We're trying it without a sling, so DD still needs a good amount of support. Outside of the walker, she can stand against furniture independently and make some steps when supported only at her hips. Our goal is really for her to be an independent walker and I didn't like how much support the gait trainers were giving--it felt like she was relying on them too much and not doing as much as she's capable of. This is definitely better.

These aren't nearly as heavy as the other gait trainers and walkers we've tried. That's good and bad. Good because she can use her strength to walk instead of literally push the thing. But bad because they tip much easier. That's my biggest concern. DD has a dual sensory impairment and will probably never be a stable walker, so we need to trust that she can rely on it to keep her safe. I'm not feeling that so much. I really wish there was an add-on anti-tip the way wheelchairs have. We've also tried the rifton mini pacer, but that was way too heavy for DD. The crocodile was huge for us, but has the same idea. We're having a vendor bring out an up 'n go in a few weeks as well.

As far as insurance...  Your PT has to write a letter to get signed off by your doctor saying that its a medical necessity along with a prescription. Then you submit to insurance. We requested to our vendor for the tomato seat in March--knew exactly which one we wanted and we're still waiting on the paper shuffling to be completed from the doctor to the vendor. With that said, our vendor has been extremely unprofessional and lazy and didn't ask for everything from him at the same time, so I think this could have gone much quicker. Its supposed to take up to 6 weeks once insurance gets it for things to get processed through them. We're going with a different vendor for the walker for exactly this reason.  

It certainly makes things easier if your EI has one to borrow to try out. . . 

duchess0727

Thank you both so much for the input.  I'd definitely like to see the videos maxandruby - my email is sarah.r.rubenstein@gmail.com.  I wish we could borrow one from EI - ours has no equipment at all to borrow, which really stinks.  We went on a limb and bought the SPIO vest and pants and it seems worthwhile.  I think I may try calling vendors or calling around local PT providers to see if anyone has equipment we could at least rent.  I hate to buy the walker or spend the time dealing with insurance if my daughter is going to hate it.  Thanks again!!

MaxandRuby

Just emailed you!

MummyGruetzie

We'd been looking at the SPIO too. How does your DD like it?

We needed to do a custom size full suit and it was going to be too expensive for us, but we found a local orthosis place that will make us something pretty similar and cover with insurance. That's another one we're waiting for.

In the meantime for you, have you tried any toy-store walkers. Certainly not the same, especially as a reverse walker, but it can give you an idea of whether they'd be okay with one at all. Ikea has one for $20, radioflyer has one for $100, etc.  

duchess0727

MummyGruetzie:

We'd been looking at the SPIO too. How does your DD like it?

We needed to do a custom size full suit and it was going to be too expensive for us, but we found a local orthosis place that will make us something pretty similar and cover with insurance. That's another one we're waiting for.

In the meantime for you, have you tried any toy-store walkers. Certainly not the same, especially as a reverse walker, but it can give you an idea of whether they'd be okay with one at all. Ikea has one for $20, radioflyer has one for $100, etc.  

We started with the SPIO pants and they definitely seemed to give her a little boost in stability but she grew some and now they seem to restrict her movement a little bit and I don't know if I want to spend the $ on another pair.  Her PT recommended trying the vest for trunk stability and we just got it on Thursday.  It does seem to make her a little more comfortable with herself and her balance so I think the sensory input is definitely working.  Our PT definitely understood that it's expensive so she encouraged us to seek other options if we couldn't afford it - ultimately we just spent the $.  Thanks for the suggestions!

kar5162

MummyGruetzie:

In the meantime for you, have you tried any toy-store walkers. Certainly not the same, especially as a reverse walker, but it can give you an idea of whether they'd be okay with one at all. Ikea has one for $20, radioflyer has one for $100, etc.  

This.  DS doesn't have a reverse walker since his PTs think he will be independently walking fairly soon (though WTH does that mean anyway).  He didn't want/like walking with any walking toy until we found the $20 IKEA one which he loves.  He now willingly walks up and down our hallways and will now happily push the other walking toys we've had forever at least a few feet.  The IKEA one can be set to a more supportive position and less supportive position which I think made him feel more stable.  Or it's just him being a picky toddler, but either way it was his gateway to practice walking without holding onto us.