A Squiggles Stander gives children from the age of 2 to 5, who cannot stand on their own, the support and independence they need to be able to join in and have fun with activities with others such as creating arts and crafts, playing catch or singing in a choir. It is a wheeled frame that holds the user in upright or other positions, providing weight-bearing support to enable patient-mobility in an upright or other position.Because the Squiggles Stander was not available to a family through any service provider in Quesnel, the Rotary Club of Quesnel, with support from a District Grant, purchased one for Quesnel & District Child Development Centre.
Since 1976, Quesnel & District Child Development Centre has been providing assessment, intervention, and support services for children, youth, and families aimed at mitigating the risk factors that can lead to delays in development and reducing the impact of disability.
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Quesnel Rotary has maintained a relationship with the Development Centre since it was founded, helping to fund the launch of its Centre’s Pregnancy Outreach Program in 2008 and an Accessible Toy Library in 2021, and contributing to an Accessible Playground project in 2016.
The Centre’s services provide invaluable community support in closing the gap between inaccessible and accessible living. Quesnel Rotary’s purchase of $6,900 Squiggles Stander, with the help of a $2,300 District 5040 Grant from The Rotary Foundation will make a world of difference for children in the community when needed.
Quesnel Rotary is increasing awareness of the availability of the Squiggles Stander through the Development Centre by way of the public relations associated with the club’s funding its purchase with funds raised. The Development Centre is the regional expert in making best use of the equipment in the community.
A physiotherapist at the Development Centre said in a message to Quesnel Rotary about this latest gift: “On behalf of the Q&DCDC, myself and our families, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you for your generosity on buying the Squiggles Stander. I’ve already seen first hand the impact of your kindness when you helped us buy the Whizzybug (a powerchair) a few years back and the enrichment it brought to our kids. The stander is going to be no different, especially for those children we’re waiting for funding applications to go through, which can take a very long time! Having a stander to loan out to fill in the gaps and help our children have the access to the help they need and deserve is invaluable. So thank you again.”