Grimsby Town superfan Rio loves his Hannah cot bed, which keeps him safe at night

Before owning the Hannah Cot Bed, Nicola was struggling to keep Rio safe at home. Rio has Down’s Syndrome and is an irregular sleeper who would commonly get out of bed at night and wander around the house putting himself at risk. Nicola was struggling to monitor him when asleep so had resorted to locking his bedroom door. This didn’t completely resolve the safety issue explains Nicola: “Rio would find all sorts of ways of getting out of his bed and his bedroom.

Previously, he had a standard bed however he would get out in the night even though he is peg fed. He would come off his milk and would try and climb down the stairs, and sometimes he would fall. Rio would even find the hidden keys and one time managed to get out of the house. Thankfully, our neighbour spotted him and knocked on my door to wake me up so that I could get him back into the house and back to safety – it was so scary.”

‘‘If you want to know your child is secure it’s the best choice”

Nicola was desperate to resolve this issue as she continues, “To stop this we did try a different safety bed however it was too flimsy, and Rio broke it. Clearly, we needed something stronger and safer and more suitable. I talked to my Occupational Therapist at Grimsby Hospital about it. She was brilliant and recommended a specialist Theraposture Cot Bed. We discussed Rio’s needs both now and in the future and together we decided that a strong, padded high sided bed would be best as it would last as Rio grew.”

Theraposture were contacted and one of their Trusted Assessors visited to assess Rio’s needs. Measurements were taken in his bedroom to check what size cot would fit. A Hannah Cot Bed with 135cm high sides was recommended for Rio as it offered robust high sided doors, with padding, and an electrically adjustable sleeping platform.

The variable height would especially help Nicola with manual handling, meaning that she could assist Rio at a safe working height. This would prevent excessive bending and the risk of back injury for Nicola, who is Rio’s main carer. Within eight weeks of ordering, the Hannah arrived and was installed in the family home by Theraposture’ s Technicians. Comprehensive instructions were given on how to use the Hannah and how to ensure that Rio was safe when alone in his bed.

“The first time he used his Hannah, I was worried that he wouldn’t sleep, but he did – no problems at all”

“We’ve had our Hannah for nearly two years now, and it has been essential for us to have a solution like this. In addition to Rio’s challenges, I am on morphine as I have severe back problems and I am waiting for an operation. The fact that I can help Rio without bending over makes a massive difference for me. He just loves being in his bed and he spends time there during the day with the doors open, on his tablet, just chilling.”

“If Rio wants to get out at night, he shouts to me which is fine. The safety and the reassurance the Hannah has provided us is incredible, resulting in both Rio and I sleeping better. The internal padding means that Rio cannot hurt himself.

He’s also sensitive to noise so the padding also helps with this too. We also have clear soft windows built into the padding for Rio to look out and for me to look in. Our Hannah is the best bed ever, it’s amazing.”

Rio is an avid Grimsby Town supporter so his mum has put football stickers all over his bed which he loves. He’s got a Grimsby Town duvet too. Nicola and Rio are both season ticket holders and try and go to every home and away game. Rio’s been a mascot at one of the games and plays for their disability football team.

In conclusion regarding Rio’s Theraposture Hannah Bed, Nicola says:“I would recommend the Hannah to other parents with active disabled children. If you want to know your child is secure when alone, it’s the best”