"I understood that Rotem's sitting in a carriage was not going to get him far," Elnatan noted in interviews reflecting on those early years. "Disobeying his therapists' recommendations, I started to facilitate Rotem 'behind their backs'."Initially, Elnatan attempted to support her growing son's weight manually, a physical endeavor that took an immense toll on her own spine and lower back. Realizing the unsustainability of this approach, she turned to her background and resourcefulness, designing a wearable prototype. She sewed a supportive torso harness for Rotem, engineered a matching waist belt for herself, and crafted specialized double sandals that bound their feet together.When they walked, they walked as one unit. Step by step, guided by the mother's cadence, Rotem’s feet moved across the floor. What began as grueling, trial-and-error sessions in their home gradually evolved into two-hour neighborhood strolls. Rotem experienced the world from an upright perspective, his hands free to hold toys, touch objects, and interact with his environment. Recognizing that her creation addressed a universal gap in pediatric assistive technology, Elnatan brought her prototype to Leckey, a globally recognized medical device manufacturer specializing in pediatric postural management. Through Leckey’s family-centered brand, Firefly, the makeshift harness was rigorously refined by clinical experts, engineers, and physical therapists into a commercial-grade, patented product known as the Upsee.
The Upsee: A Mother’s Invention That Changed the World of Pediatric Mobility
The Upsee: A Mother’s Invention That Changed the World of Pediatric Mobility
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