The GTH Story

In 2004 Jeff received a phone call from a Boise-based physical therapist who was interested in our harness products. Could our harness product be adapted to a toddler born without arms and struggling to gain the balance, confidence and practice she needed to walk? he wondered. Imagine the challenge of learning to walk without the ability to break your fall.

So Jeff spent a day observing a therapy session with the toddler as well as two other young children with cerebral palsy. It took only a few hours for Jeff to envision the Gait Training Harness that could aid both the children and their parents.

Jeff's experience in outdoor recreation--specifically climbing--gave him the mental image he needed to create a Gait Training Harness with these features:

Handles for assistance & safety. Handles integrated into both shoulder straps and one on the back of the harness

A design that allowed for clip on leg straps and a gentle on & off process more suitable to the sometimes delicate nature of the children

Leg stabilization straps specifically for children with cerebral palsy to accentuate and initiate forward movement of their legs

Leash straps extending from the back of the harness to enable freedom as the children progressed in their walking ability while maintaining the core requirement for safety

After a couple months of prototypes with input from the medical community, Jeff offered the prototype for testing. The therapist used the Gait Training Harness version 1.0 with the toddler. After about a week of work with the Gait Training Harness, the toddler was walking; walking with no assistance! After receiving a swift patent on the Gait Training Harness, the Gait Training Harness became available.

We believe the Gait Training Harness makes it easier for parents and physical therapists to augment clinic based physical therapy sessions. By augmenting the physical therapy program at home and spending the time working with children, we are hopeful that the Gait Training Harness facilitates the walking progress for your children and makes your life a little bit easier.

We have received so many heart felt thank you's and such praise for the Gait Training Harness that we know it has a significant positive impact in the right situation. We strongly believe that the right situation always includes participation by a physical therapist. While the Gait Training Harness is not designed for the most severe cases of physical disabilities, it does offer an aid to those with the potential to walk.

To date we have relied on the special needs community - mostly pediatric physical therapists, school districts, and parents - to spread the word about the Gait Training Harness. We understand we are neither doctors nor experts in this field. That's why we want to increase the exposure of the product within the community. Our company is predicated on listening to parents and experts so our ears are wide open. We hope that a bit more focus and awareness will enable the worldwide community to enjoy the benefits of the product.

Testimonial

I am a physical therapist who has worked in pediatrics for 21 years. The gait training harness has worked extremely well with individuals I have tried it with. I have used it with a 5 year with cerebral palsy who has poor body awareness and falls frequently when attempting to walk independently. The gait training harness allows her the ability to explore her environment, while I prevent falls. I can allow her more mobility and give her an opportunity to correct her balance. If she is unable to correct herself, I can use the straps on the harness to prevent her from falling. If not wearing the gait training harness, I have to catch her the second she loses her balance. Now I can allow her the opportunity to learn to control her own balance. I have also used this with a two year old who also has poor body awareness. He is independent with walking, but falls frequently on uneven terrain. We tried the gait training harness thinking that it would give mom the ability to keep him from falling when outside. Interestingly enough, when he wears the harness he doesn't fall, and mom doesn't have to use the straps to keep him from falling! Just the compression from the harness provides enough input to improve his balance and stability. I will continue to use the gait training harness with a variety of patients!

A. Myers PT, Utah