Charli’s off and running
Advertorial
by Katherine Granich
Frame running is revolutionising the lives of children with mobility difficulties, giving them the opportunity to go fast – and have fun doing it.
Ever wonder how elite athletes got their start? It’s a combination of opportunity, suitable gear, supportive mentors, and self-belief – and as seven-year-old Charli zooms along, it’s clear she’s got all the ingredients for success in the up-and-coming sport of frame running, which is becoming a popular para sport in Australia and worldwide.
While Charli might be a bit young to think about serious athletic pursuits, the independence and mobility she’s gained since being fitted with her PETRA Frame Runner in late January are truly life-changing.
Zoe Duong, a physiotherapist on Charli’s team at NAPA Centre Pty, recalls how in 2023, Charli went along to a Sydney-based Saturday morning frame running club hosted by Dejay Medical (dejay.com.au), and took to the frame runner immediately. “Charli found it really interesting, and along with several other girls her age, she was quite excited to continue using a frame runner,” Zoe says. “A number of kids we treat at our physiotherapy clinic go to the Saturday club, which gives them an opportunity to be part of the community, to join a sport that’s made for their needs.”
Zoe says that frame runners can be incredibly beneficial to people who have low tone, spasticity, or underdeveloped muscles. “A frame runner is more supportive than a typical walking frame,” she explains. “From an endurance and cardiovascular health point of view, it’s great because Charli can move much faster in her frame runner than she can in a wheelchair or walking frame – it’s designed to move and run. A frame runner promotes greater physical activity and stretches muscles that would ordinarily be tight from prolonged sitting.”
Charli’s enthusiasm for frame running made it clear to Zoe that having her own custom- fitted frame runner would be beneficial, and that’s where the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation (ALCMF) came into the picture.
“We want to empower children who can’t walk without assistance to reach their potential,” explains Gregory English, Chairman ALCMF District 201N5/ Trustee NSW/ACT. “This is one of the most important projects of the Lions Clubs around Australia. The bottom line is, we want to equip kids with anything that will help strengthen their bodies so they can be fit and active – standing frames, walking frames, frame runners.”
ALCMF’s goal is “to provide a walker to every child in Australia who needs one”, and so far, they’ve helped 2,383 kids and raised over $13.4 million for the cause. “Charli’s frame runner will give her the opportunity to participate more independently in school sport, playground games, athletics carnivals; to have mobility that gives her as normal a life as possible,” says Greg.
Zoe and the physiotherapy team at NAPA Centre Pty have helped connect several young people to ALCMF to access equipment that isn’t NDIS-funded, but would benefit their mobility. The process of obtaining Charli’s frame runner was made straightforward by ALCMF, who are committed to removing barriers to access for the mobility equipment they fund by working directly with physiotherapists who best know their clients’ needs.
“The fitting process for Charli’s frame runner was pretty intense,” Zoe says.
“We took lots of measurements, then sent them off to Leon and the team of experts at Dejay. Then Leon brought some different-sized frames into the clinic for Charli to try out, and made adjustments so that her frame runner is truly unique and personalised to her body.”
Zoe says it’s important to choose a frame runner size that’s best for the child in terms of their growth, so they can maximise the time the frame runner can be used, and get the most out of it. “The Dejay team are so experienced in knowing what will work for each child, and working with physiotherapists to ensure the frame is aligned correctly to the client,” she says.
As for Charli, she’s been off and running with her racing-green frame runner for a few months now, and shows great promise of excelling in the sport of frame running, which proponents are lobbying to have included in the Paralympics.
“Seeing Charli’s eyes light up when she realised, ‘Hey, I’m going fast!’ was just brilliant,” Greg smiles. “Who knows – maybe we’ll see Charli competing in the Paralympics for frame running one day!”
Going for gold
Melbourne’s Maria Strong won Gold in the Women’s 100m T72 frame running event at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships. “Most frame runners can’t stand and walk that well, let alone run without a frame. I had never been able to run more than a few steps,” she said. “I got on a frame and I was suddenly not at the risk of face planting. I could move reasonably fast. It’s like I’m flying.”
Getting help
If your child would benefit from mobility equipment like a frame runner, talk to their physiotherapist, who can contact the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation (alcmf.lions.org.au) to find out about accessing funding.
Get involved
Local frame running clubs are opening up all over Australia, where frame runners can meet and join up with others in regular activities. For the more serious racers, have a chat to your local Athletics Club about joining their running programme.
For more information see dejay.com.au or contact 02 9838 8869 or email [email protected]
