Case Study: How Cub Gave Benson, and His Mother, Their Days Back

CEREBRAL PALSY   |   SPASTIC DIPLEGIA   |   GMFCS 5   |   INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

Clinical Snapshot
Client Presentation		Device Configuration
Diagnosis:	Cerebral Palsy, high, spastic diplegic presentation	Product:	Cub Wheelchair
GMFCS Level:	5	Key Focus:	Mobility in an informal settlement on rough terrain
Tone & Spasticity:	Tone within normal limits; extension spasticity pattern	Accessories Used:	Tray, All Terrain Accessory
		Setup Time:	1 hour

The Clinical Challenge: Terrain That No Standard Wheelchair Could Handle

Benson is a 14-year-old boy who lives with his mother and three siblings on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, in an informal settlement. He is unable to sit upright or support his head without assistance, and for daily mobility he relies heavily on his mother and a caregiver at the daycare he attends.

The wheelchairs Benson used previously were built for smooth terrain and could not handle the rough, uneven ground of his community. As a result, his mother often left the wheelchair behind at daycare and carried Benson home on her back.

The Intervention: A Wheelchair Built for Real Ground and Real Life

Benson's Cub wheelchair was configured with a tray and additional recommended accessories to support his GMFCS Level 5 presentation and extension spasticity pattern. Setup, including adjustment for proper fit, took approximately one hour.

Parent's Perspective

“Before the Cub wheelchair, I was always straining my back while pushing my son. Now, I don’t have to, and he’s more involved in our daily life,” Benson’s mother shared with excitement.

Clinical Features & Functional Benefits

Clinical Challenge: Previous wheelchairs failed on the rough, uneven ground of his community, forcing his mother to carry him  →  Cub Feature: Cub's durable build suited to rough terrain  →  Functional Outcome: Benson's mother no longer has to carry him home on her back

Clinical Challenge: Physical strain on his mother from pushing and carrying him daily  →  Cub Feature: Cub's ergonomic, easier-to-maneuver design  →  Functional Outcome: His mother no longer strains her back, and Benson is more involved in daily family life

Clinical Challenge: Unable to sit upright or support his head without assistance  →  Cub Feature: Postural support through the Cub's tray and adjustable configuration  →  Functional Outcome: Benson can sit upright, support his head, and interact with family, neighbors, and peers

Clinical Challenge: Limited storage space in a small, one-room home  →  Cub Feature: Cub's foldable, compact, portable design  →  Functional Outcome: The family can easily store the chair despite limited living space

Clinical Challenge: Knee issues causing pain when seated  →  Cub Feature: Cub's customizable adjustability  →  Functional Outcome: Benson sits comfortably without pain, even during meals

Who This Configuration Helps

Children with high-support needs (GMFCS Level 5) living in under-resourced or informal settlements, where rough terrain and limited caregiver support make a standard, smooth-surface wheelchair impractical.