Written by Megan Smith, PT
It’s one thing to design seating and mobility equipment that is ergonomically correct and meets the needs of children. It’s quite another to do so with compassion for children and their social and emotional needs.
Since 1983, James Leckey has looked at the needs of physically challenged children and asked himself how he could create products that are therapeutic, comfortable, and life-enhancing.
After starting out small in a garden shed, the Northern Ireland-based company known as Leckey now employs almost 200 people and outsources 98% of manufactured products beyond its country's borders, allowing Leckey products to touch the lives of children worldwide.
Pictured: Leckey Everyday Activity Seat
Leckey was born out of James Leckey’s sense of compassion and attention to detail.
In 1983, while working as a mechanical engineer, James noticed that several positional aids being donated to special needs children really didn’t so much meet the children’s physical needs as they did check a box. This observation spurred him to consult with pediatric therapists and begin developing a range of highly adjustable seating, standing and bathing products for children.
Today, Leckey is a globally recognized pioneer in the research, design and development of pediatric postural supports that are clinically focused and based on the developmental needs of children, including their social and emotional needs.
As James Leckey says, “A continual process of clinical research and trialing is core to everything we do; we reinvest in this more every year.”
Pictured: Leckey Pronestander
Leckey products are different because their entire approach is different. They believe in a user-centered approach. To them, children are not just scaled-down versions of adults; each age and stage of adolescence has its own unique set of needs.
When the team at Leckey designs a new product, their process goes something like this:
Only after this rigorous process are new products manufactured and brought to market!
Pictured: Leckey Mygo Modular Stander System
Leckey offers seating systems for infants through adults. Children with mild, moderate or complex positioning needs will all find a system that supports their needs.
Leckey also offers early intervention seating systems made for birth through 36 months, as well as a range of standers, each designed with a different developmental stage in mind.
Children and adults with a range of conditions have benefited from Leckey’s seating, standing and bathing systems. These conditions include:
Children and young adults who need a system to help with correct positioning in sleeping, sitting, standing and eating have found the answer in one of Leckey’s brightly colored, personable positioning systems.
“This item is life-changing for our family. It comfortably supports our 3.5 year old special boy and allows our family to easily be out and about more!” - Amazon review of the Leckey Firefly GoTo Postural Support Seat
“We’ve had our GoTo Seat since they first came out, and it is such a great product. My daughter cannot hold her head up and has no real trunk control. The Goto seat enables me to take her places like the grocery store without having to have another adult to push her around. The Goto is worth every penny you will pay for it!” - Amazon review of Leckey's Firefly GoTo Seat
“Cannot say enough good things about this fabulous, inventive therapy pack for infants with delayed development. Baby sat up by himself for the first time at one year, as soon as we put it together and felt like the king of all he surveyed. Laughed and cooed out loud. Enabled him to participate with all around him. So grateful for this wonderful company. Was actually shocked that there was nothing in the U.S. comparable. Great reviews from baby's therapists also! Perfect. Hooray for the Irish! Will continue to watch this great young company develop further products.” - Amazon review of Leckey's Firefly Playpak Portable Activity Kit
To see the full range of Leckey’s positioning products, visit Leckey's RehabMart's product page.
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
