Duncan Edwards, Director of Equip-able, Ltd, his wife Clare, have a child with Dravet’s Syndrome. In addition, Clare is in a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury. When their son was young, they worried he would injure himself in his stroller on the heavy plastic tray. So Clare, in looking for a functional lap tray that would also stay put on her wheelchair, ended up creating the first Trabasack on her sewing machine. Since then, the bag has won design awards and been included in the Christopher Reeves gift guide.
What is the Trabasack?
Trabasack is a neat little bag that is purposely designed to be used as a tray on your lap. It has a firm surface on one side and a small specially designed beanbag on the underside so it levels comfortably on your lap.
The bag offers a convenience for just about anyone, but for wheelchair users it becomes an essential tool. It provides better accessibility at restaurants, cafes, at other people’s houses as well as at work and conferences. The bag also provides an alternative to expensive clamps and frames for people who need communication devices. Best of all, Trabasack can provide a mount for toys and educational devices for disabled children.
Check out this video by Blossomforchildren.co.uk:
What was the inspiration for this product?
“My wife created the first Trabasack on a sewing machine. An early years teacher spotted it and her relative wanted some for a special school she worked at. It snowballed from there really,” explains Duncan. Clare designed the bag to be a stylish product. The couple feels it is important that assistive products do not stigmatize. They know from experience that these products should be something you want to buy rather than something you feel you have to buy.
How has this product made your lives easier?
When asked how the Trabasack makes their lives easier, Duncan replies, “My wife uses her Trabasack (the Mini) every day and takes it everywhere. It is a place to eat, work and more often than not, carries a cup of tea! My son also uses his Trabasack every day. He has the model that you can use velcro hook tape to attach things, the Curve Connect. He uses it for eating and drinking, toys, switches and his ipad. He takes it to school and can wear it safely while on the school bus so it keeps him entertained.”
Duncan and Clare continue to be inspired by the many stories of how the Trabasack helps other families. For more information on the Trabasack, visit http://www.trabasack.com
Learn more on Dravet’s Syndrome
Jessica Keenan Smith
Thanks Duncan for taking time to speak to Living Well about Trabasack.
trabasack
It was my pleasure and thank you so much for sharing our story. 🙂