The CEO of Lifelites has drawn attention to the vital role that technology can play in the lives of children who require palliative care.

 

Speaking to the national charity Together for Short Lives, as part of Children’s Hospice Week, Simone Enefer-Doy said technology “has the potential to remove the barriers put up by a child’s disability or condition and open up a world of fun, creativity, communication and control.

 

“Hospice staff even tell us that this equipment can be life-changing for the children they care for,” she said.

 

Sensory Guru provides Lifelites with assistive technology, such as Eye Gaze devices that enable children to operate a computer by using just their eyes.

 

Simone says that when paired with communication software, the technology provides non-verbal children with a voice so that they can communicate with family members, staff and friends. It can also enable children with limited mobility to access and play with computer technology.

 

Lifelites are also avid supporters of Sensory Guru’s Mobile Magic Carpet, which is an app-based interactive projection system that aims to stimulate and engage participants of all ages and abilities.

 

Magic Carpet is a portable unit that projects applications onto any horizontal surface, whether it be a wheelchair tray, bed, or floor. It has multiple access methods, responding to Eye Gaze, Gesture, Switch, or Mouse control. This means that children can use the Magic Carpet through their dominant access methods.

 

Through this, the Magic Carpet enables children to interact and play with their loved ones and create special memories that would not otherwise be possible.

 

Simone said: “It’s perfect for children with limited mobility. The bright colours and sounds encourage them to move. In a life where everything is done for them — when they get up or go to bed, have meals or treatments — it gives these children a rare opportunity to control something for themselves.

 

“For us, donating this equipment is also about the smiles it brings to the faces of the children and families who are focused on caring for their child’s complex needs. We know that for these families, nothing is more precious than the time they get to spend with their children. Our technology can give them the invaluable opportunity to relax and have fun together and create special memories for them all.”

 

The Magic Carpet comes with over 500 applications pre-installed and hundreds more available to download from Sensory Guru’s App Store. This means that there is an app to appeal to everyone’s interests.

 

Simone, said: “Magic Carpet gives children the opportunity to escape the confines of their condition and embrace a world of make-believe.

 

“They can fly a plane, splash in the sea and even play football. This means so much to a child whose life is restricted by their condition. They can let their imaginations run wild and control something for themselves.”

 

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Sensory Guru is incredibly proud to work with Lifelites, a charity that works to provide children and young people in hospices with the latest assistive and inclusive technologies, so that they can learn, be creative, communicate and take control. The charity couldn’t carry out its fantastic work without the help of supporters. Make a donation to this fantastic charity by visiting their fundraising page.

 

You can read Simone’s complete article on Together for short lives.

 

Children’s Hospice Week runs from the 22-28 May 2017. It is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the needs of children with life-limiting conditions and celebrate the​ vital work children’s hospices carry

out across the UK. Learn more about how you can support it by following this link.