Loving the Neater Eater

Well the Neater Eater has arrived in our house and everyone is loving it especially Missy. Over the years we have continued to look for ideas in particularly when it comes to eating and drinking that provide independence. We have the sandwiches and drinks now sorted with TAD's help(see other post). However dinner and breakfast were time consuming and didn't provide the opportunity for Missy to be independent.

The Neater Eater made in the UK is a eating device that greatly assists with controlling arm movements and works on a spring system that is very adjustable, so the distance back and forth and the height to the mouth. So after moving the spoon into the dish and you have your desired amount on it will lift by it's self and move to the mouth position. The plate has a small lip around it to assist pick ups and it has stand underneath that fits into a hole making it very stable but can be turned to find the best bit of dinner or the most tomato sauce.
Dinners have been transformed with Missy now getting hers first and not having to wait for me to sit down with both our dinners, so I can start feeding her. No longer is there one mouthful for me and one for Missy with both our dinners going cold. Missy is highly motivated by food and the independence this machine provides while enjoying her favourite past-time EATING is awesome.
Of course they are an expensive piece of equipment, with accessories they retail about $4K however I was in the right place at the right time and a few trips to Sydney, I managed to picked up a demo for much less.
Video attached is Missy eating some slippery peaches in her first week of practice.
Her determination to be independent is inspiring.

Eating & Drinking Independantly

The smile says it all - I can do it myself.
For some time now we have been looking at ways to allow Missy more independence while eating and drinking, reducing the time an adult has to hang around. I had the idea of a goose neck style attachment-easily moved by Missy but strong enough to stay up with a sandwich and drink holder on the end but how could I make my idea come together. TAD(Technical Aid for the Disabled) was my answer and with a call to our local TAD volunteer, Richard the idea was certainly possible. Richard has helped us out before with Missy's bed and 2 bikes and is one of the number of TAD volunteers, who as retired tradesmen and professionals donate their time and expertise to create customised projects to assist people in their everyday life.
The stand and goose necks were purchased from a music shop for about $15 and Richard made the screw on adaption and created the plastic moulds for the drink and sandwich holder. We have two stands -one on each wheelchair table and then we screw on the self feeder head. We are now working on a longer goose neck with an adaption for a camera on the end, she could then be a roving photographer.

Missy has already been warned that I may have to book her if she keeps drinking and driving around the house.

These little steps towards independence have a huge effect on Missy's life, it's great for her self confidence, she can just sit and eat and drink at her own pace with her peers(they actually adjust the sandwich as she eats it).

Thanks again Richard, you are a gem!!!!