One of the brightest moments for our family was the day Jimmy took his first steps...   We had never heard of the MKII Hart Walker before, and in fact had always been told that Jimmy would not be able to walk due to the severity of his cerebral palsy.  Then we met a remarkable woman:  Dr. Ewa Brandys of Kennedy Krieger Institute.  Dr. Brandys told us right away, during her initial   assessment of Jimmy, that he was a strong candidate for the MKII Hart Walker.  Jimmy's love of kicking and wish to always push into an upright position meant that he wanted to walk!  This was incredible news considering that Jimmy tried all walkers we could find on the market in the United States. During Jimmy's first trial with the MKII Hart Walker, he initiated steps on his own for the very first time!   In our quest to obtain a walker of our very own, we reached a point of insurance denials and thought that was the end of the road...Jimmy would lose out on an incredible opportunity!  We appealed to the State of New York's Insurance Department and registered a formal complaint regarding our insurance company.  An independent reviewing agency was given Jimmy's case, and Donna Mellon from this agency was single-handedly responsible for assisting me in obtaining Jimmy's walker!  We never could have afforded such an expensive piece of equipment, and we will be forever grateful for Donna's compassion. "May you walk with pride, for it is your right." - David Hart WHO IS DAVID HART? David Hart was born into a family of inventors, the most famous of whom was Samuel Crompton.  His grandfather and father also had patented inventions. After finishing college in 1968, David worked for a large medical company which was on contract to the Ministry of Health. He progressed in the company and was eventually in charge of the company's manufacturing unit and also their research and development unit. His true interests lay within the creation of new and improved products and so, while still only in his twenties, he decided to dedicate all of his time to research. This decision led to various projects, including the development of the myo-electronic artificial hand controlled by signals from the user's brain, powered surgical instrumentation, and body-bracing which would allow paraplegics to stand and walk. THE BIRTH OF THE HART WALKER David set up his own research and development company in Keighley, Yorkshire. He was asked if he would consider trying to help a little boy who had cerebral palsy.  Upon meeting the child, David knew that his plans for the future had just been rewritten. It was 1989 when the original Walker (MKI) was designed, based on the needs of children who were unable to stand and take steps. David considered the ultimate objective to be that of holding a child upright and controlling whatever lower-limb movement they had into steps. However, David hadn't accounted for the hidden potential of the children, and it soon became apparent that they deserved a much better thought-out piece of equipment - equipment that would help rather than hinder; that could be appropriately adjusted so as to provide only what was needed at any stage of their progress; equipment that would help and encourage each child to reach his/her true potential. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT After a great deal of research, the MKII Walker was ready to go on trial in 1993. This frame was different from the original, with many advantages. Its reduced weight and improved geometrical configuration made it much easier for the child to take steps. The frame responded immediately to the user's ability to side-step in the desired direction, making it more practical within a confined environment. A range of add-on components allows each device to be assembled to best suit the needs of the child, including the invaluable ability to accommodate the differing needs of either limb. Being telescopically adjustable, the one frame grows with the child, which also allows the frame to be reduced in size for easier transportation. As the device is easier to use, children achieve more from the effort they put in, which in turn encourages progress. This also means the device can offer help to a child with a moderate to severe disability. In order to prove the MKII was a better design, it was first fit to children who had been using the original device. These children found the MKII much easier to use; their walking was more natural and more efficient and they found they could get to places previously denied to them by the restrictions of the original device. More significant were the benefits gained from the ability to 'fine tune' the MKII to a child's individual needs. As a result of the trials, all children attending Hart's Clinic since 1993 have been fitted with the MKII or, as part of his ongoing research and development program, with yet further-improved equipment. "Although we shall never be able to provide what these children deserve, I strive to improve what little help we can offer, whilst knowing in my heart that the only successful help is that which is no longer needed." - David Hart WHAT IS THE HART WALKER? The Hart Walker is a customized, orthotic walking frame which encourages a normal gait pattern. It consists of bracing around the chest, pelvis and the lower limbs with movable joints at the hips, knees and ankles, which help guide each step while preventing any excessive or unnatural movements e.g. scissoring. The extent of the upper body bracing varies - some children may require only a simple waist strap, while others may require support to their chest and shoulders. The bracing is attached to a wheeled frame which allows hands-free mobility. It is fitted with front swivel wheels which can be made to turn on the spot by the child's ability to side step. Although some children may take a little while to learn how to make their new found steps take them in a desired direction, once mastered, the frame will provide good maneuverability. As the child gains strength and coordination and becomes more able to support his/her weight, the support mechanism is adjusted. Although it looks deceptively simple, the Hart Walker is comprised of approximately 1,000 working components. It is a walking aid, which allows children with severe physical disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy, to learn to stand and to experience hands-free walking. HOW DOES THE HART WALKER HELP CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY? This Walker allows children to experience walking often for the first time in their lives. As well as providing hands-free mobility, the Walker can also lead to a number of other health and social benefits. Parents have reported that it improves general fitness, builds strength, muscle control, balance, and coordination. Use of the Walker allows easier social contact and increased self esteem that comes with standing, walking and playing at peer level. General health can also be improved as children who are constantly seated can experience respiratory and digestive problems. WHY IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WALKING FRAMES? The Hart Walker is an orthotic device, and the only walker which enables children with moderate to severe disabilities to have hands-free mobility. It is based on normal standing alignment and provides a normal walking pattern. There are no other Walkers which allow this. WHERE CAN I FIND A HART WALKER FOR MY CHILD? David Hart is regularly training physiotherapists and orthotists from around the world, and therefore the Hart Walker is available in many countries, e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, and Norway. The list is constantly growing.  We obtained Jimmy's walker from the North American distributor, Great Strides.  Great Strides is a family-owned business with a mission/passion to help disabled children walk.   WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY? Cerebral palsy is a term describing a collection of disorders affecting posture and movement due to a defect or lesion to the developing brain. Cerebral palsy affects each person differently, and the degree of disability varies.  It is one of the most expensive of all disabilities to manage. Early detection of cerebral palsy and intervention can greatly reduce the severity of the disability.