How engineers are helping Joseph to walk with confidence

Joseph Elliott, 11, recently had surgery to re-align his left foot from an inturned position.

The process involves encasing the leg in an unsightly 'Ilizarov Method cage' and making weekly adjustments to bring the foot to a forward facing position.

However it left Joseph, of Bexhill Road, St Leonards, with problems. The contraption left him feeling very self-conscious and the cork sole plate caused pain and discomfort.

Thankfully for the Bexhill High School student, a charity set-up to help with such difficulties stepped in.

'Remap' is a national charity created to custom make equipment for people with disabilities. Operating out of their own workshops, Remap's volunteers design and make practical equipment where no commercial products are available.

Doug Wilson and John Ludlow are two such volunteers who live in Bexhill.

And the engineers set about designing and building a solution to the problem.

What they came up with was an attractive covering for the frame that kept Joseph's leg warm and made him feel more at ease with the device.

The material was kept light weight and panelled to retain its shape. The cover is secured at the edges by hook and loopfastner tape and at the top and bottom by draw strings.

A new sole plate was designed using a Polyurethane sheet and chip foam. The result was a more comfortable fit for Joseph.

Remap engineers try to keep costs to a minimum by enlisting the help of local businesses - in this case they received support from The Upholsterers, J and S Shoe Repair and Cantelupe Creations.

Joseph's mother, Edith, said: "Remap got involved through our physio and they have been marvellous. To make a shoe for Joseph has been so clever and wonderful for him.

"They are a charity and it's nice to thank them for the work they do for people."

Mr Wilson said: "We are a group of engineers who have different kinds of experience and in the cases where they can't build anything, they come to us and it means we can design and make what is needed.

"We can go away and think about things, and in this case, it took about five weeks or so.

"We never, ever give up. That is the objective."

Mr Ludlow added: "I am a mechanical engineer who has been retired for nearly 30 years and I think the great thing about Remap is that it makes you think.

"Projects of this description start when a physiotherapist has reached the end of their thoughts. They say, 'It's probably impossible, but what can you do?'"

To learn more about Remap call their head office on 0845 1300 456 or visit www.remap.org.uk