Please select one of the following. | Tomcat Trike FAQ | Tomcat Chair FAQ
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What are the medical limitations for use? Back to Top
Presently the Tomcat is suitable for most people who are able to make a standing transfer
from a wheelchair, although in certain circumstances it can be used with a transfer board.
It is not suited to people who require a hoist.
What kind of client conditions would benefit from a Tomcat? Back to Top
About 50% of Tomcat users are of restricted growth, including specific conditions such as
Achondroplasia. The Tomcat is invariably a great success for restricted growth as it offers
good posture and complete independence at desks up to 91cm high.
The remainder of Tomcat clients may be of average height but have balance; strength,
co-ordination or postural problems typified by a broad spectrum of Cerebral
Palsy conditions.
Paediatric seating often has a high cost coupled with a short lifespan, how long will a
Tomcat last? Back to Top
There is no limit. A Tomcat, purchased for a child in primary school could well be in use at
university. It achieves this remarkable longevity through modular design.
Modular design means that the fundamental chair can change and grow as they change and grow.
For example, many high cost components such as the castor base system, footrest, step, arms,
etc, which can be common to all age groups, can be retained. Whilst growth related components
such as the central column, backrest bracket seat, etc, can be changed, as they grow older or
taller.
In this way a Tomcat can be upgraded at key points in their career at a fraction of the cost
of a new seating system. It can even be adapted to the entirely different needs of a new user.
Over a 15-year lifespan, a Tomcat will become not just the most innovative, inclusive and
socially acceptable solution for the child but the most economical purchase for
the LEA.
Who upgrades the equipment when upgrade becomes necessary? Back to Top
Though simple to do, most upgrades are best done on a return to base. Tomcat has a comprehensive
consultation, collection, upgrade, and redelivery service, which can be timed to coincide
with holidays or half term breaks to ensure minimum disruption to the student.
What is the age range of the Tomcat? Back to Top
From year one infants to adult.
It can often be difficult to get special adaptations or provisions made for seating systems;
what about the Tomcat? Back to Top
Tomcat design and manufacture the Tomcat range of chairs here in the UK and are therefore
able to make customised solutions both for and after the original purchase. We like to
resolve new problems that occur, because there will always be other children who will benefit
and each new solution enhances the capability of the product.
The Tomcat looks like a standard office or studio chair; is this a deliberate feature of its
design? Back to Top
Very much so. Teenagers in particular are very conscious of their image and quite
understandably don't want to use equipment that has a special needs appearance. Though a
versatile and highly accomplished therapy tool, it still looks 'cool' and that immensely
important feature means that it will get used instead of gathering dust in the caretaker's
storeroom!
Frequently Asked Questions and some we are never asked about!
Payment is normally required in full at the time of delivery/collection if a private purchase or on mutually agreed terms for charities.
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ABOUT DISABILITY
ABOUT TECHNICAL FEATURES AND BIO ENGINEERING ISSUES
ABOUT COST, FUNDING AND ORDERING PROCEEDURES
What About Learning Difficulties? Back to Top
How a child with learning difficulties copes with a tricycle is an immensely complex and interesting subject but surprisingly perhaps, it is one of the easier problems we have to overcome at Tomcat. This FAQ covers the subject in great detail because we think you will find it interesting, not because it's a major problem.
The mechanics of Carer Control
The first ever Tomcat Carer Control (See FAQ 9) was built in 1994 for Tom Baker (who was eight years old at the time) who has Severe Learning Difficulties. Tom already had a conventional special needs trike, which he loved to ride but he had no sense of steering, braking or safety.
For his mum (Anne) it was impractical to use, as she needed to crouch over the trike to steer, whereupon Tom would be distracted and pull her hair instead of concentrating on his pedalling. As a result the trike gathered dust in a garage. An all too familiar story of disappointment.
The prototype Tomcat addressed all these problems in an innovative way. Mum was behind Tom, well out of arms reach and outside the distraction zone. It gave her the means to steer the trike very accurately and brake easily with a joystick that was connected to the trike's steering and brakes. It enabled her to walk naturally with a perfect view over Tom's head and most importantly, she knew that thanks to the Control System, Tom would always be safe. No matter where they went or what Tom might try to do.
Anne made a very important contribution to the design of the trike by insisting that the steering was not disabled for Tom, as the trike was a learning tool. This has proved to be important because although several years and hundreds of miles later he still can't really steer; he does know what puddles are for and will try to steer towards them every time! With the sensitivity of the steering mechanism Anne can feel this and allows him to ride through them if they are not too deep.
The point of this story is that a trike is useless unless the rider can make a real journey to a real place. Going round and round the garden is for Teddy Bears not Tomcateers because they have things to do and places to go.
When we talk about success on a Tomcat we mean getting out and about in the community and having real fun!
The Psychology of achievement and failure?
All too often, parents and professionals believe that riding a trike is beyond a child's capability because of their learning difficulty. This is understandable when a child is a very low achiever but experience has taught us that learning difficulties can almost always be overcome and for a very good reason.
A tricycle has a very powerful force in its favour that can transcend most obstacles. It's fun!
We humans fail at a task because it's too difficult - not because we don't want to succeed at it. Playing a musical instrument is an example that most of us can relate to!
Most of us would love to play a violin for example but we don't have the 'hand - ear - brain' co-ordination to do so. We give up instead of persevering and try something easier like cooking or scuba diving or DIY. The point is; learning difficulty is a very relative thing and no doubt to the concert violinist, we ordinary folk have a 'learning difficulty'!
Self-esteem and achievement are important to us all, and children with special needs want to succeed just as we all do! They want to say, 'Look what I've done, mum' What's more I can do it again tomorrow if I want to!
When Tomcat build a trike for a child with learning difficulties, our job is to simplify each task to within their capability so they too have a chance to succeed. Though the spectrum of potential problems is too broad to discuss in this FAQ, the principle is always the same. Make each task simple enough and having fun will do the rest. The Tomcat 'Carer Control' system is typical of the tools used to do that job.
The narrow line between success and failure!
The writer's son, Tom Baker, has Profound and Multiple learning difficulties. He is a very low achiever with an attention span of seconds, easily distracted and not above bad behaviour if he doesn't get his own way. He is non-verbal but can walk, albeit with a poorly co-ordinated tiptoe gait; all issues that many parents can relate to.
On the other hand he loves a bit of fun and nonsense and fiddling with intricate things to get them apart. He loves people, all of whom are friends until they prove themselves otherwise and he is a happy boy, wanting to be involved with everybody and everything.
Tom has very low learning skills but very high social skills and is popular with everyone because of them. On the balance of probability however, most people would say that the complexity of riding a trike and the concentration required was beyond him. They would of course, be utterly and completely wrong as many of the photos on this website bear witness!
It is nonetheless interesting to consider what enables a normally lazy, distractible, boy to do so well. Is it untapped skill in the 'trike riding' part of the brain, or is it his personality and nature? Through the observation of many, many children, the writer believes it to be the latter and assesses social interaction and sense of fun and adventure before intellect when prejudging a child's ability to ride a trike.
A practical example of simple logic
Tom took to trike riding like a duck to water and still rides for miles every weekend. When he grew out of the prototype his new trike had gears to help him out on hills etc. He could not ride this trike and never did and it had to have the gears removed. It is very interesting to understand how and why things went so easily from success to failure!
The problem was that gears involve a freewheel. A freewheel allows you to stop pedalling as you 'freewheel' down hills etc but this broke a simple link of communication between Tom and the trike where if he pedals, the trike moves and if he stops, the trike stops. With the freewheel however the trike did not necessarily stop when he stopped pedalling and this was beyond his intellectual capacity to understand. The freewheel appeared to give him a free ride and thus the communication link was broken.
A fixed drive is understandable for a child with SLD's and the writer believes the thinking goes something like this. If the trike moves, the pedals move. If I push down on the pedal, can I make the trike move? Yes I can! Because I enjoy the trike moving I will carry on pushing down on each pedal as it comes around!
With the freewheel however the trike sometimes moved without the pedals turning therefore the communication link is broken. The logic then becomes 'I am sat here on this trike which I know moves on its own. Because I'm naturally lazy, I will sit and wait for that to happen!
And another interesting example of logical interaction
Tom is similarly finely tuned to pedal resistance. He knows how much effort he needs to make a trike move, therefore when his mum applies the brakes and resistance rises, Tom stops pedalling as he knows it's wasted effort. He will wait very patiently at junctions until his mum gives the trike just a little push. This is his signal that the trike will move again and so he pedals away. Interestingly though, he stops pedalling on very steep hills unless you say 'pedal up Tom' as this is very similar to the brakes going on. Isn't that perfectly logical!
With these simple examples I have tried to illustrate that by understanding a child's learning difficulties it is possible to overcome them by making each task they have to achieve, one that is within their capability. In this way you can create an opportunity to succeed and nothing succeeds like success. Get it slightly wrong as with the freewheel and they may fail. Get it right, and what appears to be reaching for the skies becomes any everyday activity.
See Also FAQ 9 on Full Carer Control.
What about Impaired Vision or Blindness? Back to Top
When you engineer for children with special needs, trends inevitably begin to appear and in the case of blindness or visual impairment, the ability to take to riding a trike is remarkable. Because of Carer Control, we build many trikes for children with visual impairment and each has excelled, irrespective of their other difficulties such as Severe Learning difficulty or Autism.
We believe it is because; where disability has impaired the child's sight, human nature compensated for that loss by heightening the acuteness of other senses such as touch and movement, therefore much enjoyment is derived from an activity they can take a full part in.
Additionally, there are no peripheral distractions and the child can concentrate solely on the tricycle. Trust too, is also a factor and children who are blind have to trust in those who care for them. They may be very conscious of their vulnerability but because they can sense that a trusted person has complete control they can relax and enjoy the ride.
If someone in your care is affected by visual impairment, you might like to look at a very kind letter from Mrs Rita McGarry about her son Mathew on the 'Testimonials' page. Unfortunately we don't have a photo of Mathew but the letter speaks for itself.
See Also FAQ 9 on Full Carer Control.
When all other important issues are right, only about one percent of children genuinely don't want to ride a trike. To date these have all been children with severe forms of Autism.
That said, most children with Autism or Autistic tendencies love to ride a Tomcat. Between 20-30% of the children we meet have some degree of Autism and get tremendous pleasure from riding their trike, but it is on their terms.
Autism or Autistic tendencies are often described as problems of social interaction and communication. Routine and familiarity is paramount and the world is chaotic from an Autistic person's point of view. To a few, a tricycle is merely part of that chaos and it is then that problems of acceptance may occur. To be accepted the trike must be a part of their spectrum of interest. To achieve that status, sometimes requires patience, understanding and gentle coaxing from parents.
For example, one boy tried a yellow demo Tomcat and had a wonderful time, riding around his cul de sac for over 40 minutes, making a huge fuss when the time came to get off. This was a great thrill to his parents as he had never shown interest in a trike before. A Tomcat was duly ordered but in silver instead of yellow, as that was the colour of dad's car. When the time came to collect it, he became very stressed and would not look at it, nor go near it. Mum thought this might be because the trike was silver and not yellow like the one he'd tried before. To his mind his trike was not yellow, so this was definitely not his trike!
Mum and Dad did the right thing and did not force the issue but left the trike in the house where it was a constant presence. Just as arrangements were being made for a re-spray, he got on and rode away! He and his silver tricycle have been inseparable friends ever since.
Unlike other disabilities where we can be fairly sure how well a child may get on, it is hard for us - who do not know their likes and dislikes - to guess how well a child with Autism will do. All we can say is that problems of complete rejection are 'more likely to occur' with the more severe forms of Autism. The moral however, is you never know unless you try and that even where problems do occur, the patience and understanding of good parents will often win through in the end.
See Also FAQ 9 on Full Carer Control and FAQ 10 on Carer Braking.
My child can't walk. Could they ride a trike? Back to Top
Probably, yes, and a trike is an excellent way to prepare for walking.
The Physical Issues
Walking is an intuitive but highly complex activity. It requires strength, balance, co-ordination and lots of practice to do it well. Cycling on the other hand, is much easier for the following reasons!
The saddle supports body weight instead of the legs, whilst various types of backrest support the spine, therefore the rider only need turn the pedals to create movement. There is no complex balancing act to perform and pedalling takes much less effort than walking.
Pedalling uses all the same muscles as walking however, and this helps children build strength for the main event. Footshoes are available to keep feet on pedals and this means the feet have no alternative but to follow the rotary path of the pedal.
Due to Cerebral Palsy, Cloe is unable to walk independently, however she rides very well. During her assessment her first attempts were hard work due to the very low tone of unused muscles, but she has built them up well and goes everywhere on her Tomcat. This improving strength will obviously help her transition to independent walking.
See also FAQ 9, FAQ 10, FAQ 11, FAQ 16 and FAQ 17.
What about Physical Disability? Back to Top
It is a paradox that the children who most need a trike are often those least able to ride one. However, if it can be achieved and the exercise of heart, lungs, muscles and joints can bring immense benefits to both health and general wellbeing.
For example, if a non-ambulant child could ride a trike it may dramatically improve their mobility, strength, balance and co-ordination. This could well change the future away from the wheelchair to walking, so the stakes could not be higher.
Physical disability can affect the human body in very many ways. It would be impossible to cover them all in this FAQ but it is possible to talk about the way Tomcat deal with physical disability and that may help you understand how problems can be overcome.
We humans think of our body as a miracle and of course it is but it is still just a machine at heart and it has to comply with all the common laws of science. Energy in; equals energy outÉ drop it and it will fall all those kind of things.
However when a person has a physical disability, that disability changes the biological machine in some way, making it hard for it to work efficiently with equipment designed for those without a disability. You could perhaps compare it to a left-handed person struggling with right-handed scissors. The left-handed person could cut paper with the best of them, if only he had left handed scissors! So it is with tricycles and kids with physical disability. To succeed they need something that is special and just made for them.
A Tomcat tricycle is a mechanical machine designed to work in harmony with a biological machine, but because the biological machine cannot be altered - at least, not in the short term - then the mechanical machine must be altered instead. That is why each and every Tomcat is custom built to each individual child's needs. By custom building we can give the left-handed person those left handed scissors.
Simple changes to the tricycle (the mechanical machine); made after studying the function of the biological machine; can produce results far beyond the expectations of Physios and parents but it is usually only simple mechanics at work. For example, many Tomcateers cannot explain when they are uncomfortable but if, by understanding their disability, we understand what might be painful when cycling moves a joint or muscle, then by making sure the joint never moves to that position, we can achieve a success where before there may have been failure.
Of course, if the biological machine deviates too much from the norm the ability to maintain the status quo diminishes but much can be achieved. Even with severe disability many wheelchair bound children ride Tomcat Trikes very successfully.
If your child has a physical disability, perhaps coupled with learning difficulties or blindness, then the chances are that we will be able to help. Think of this as a project where everyone works together to achieve the desired result. We may need to discuss many issues with you, and perhaps your child's Physio or Paediatrician. If your child's disability is severe it may be necessary for you to come to Tomcat to collect your tricycle when it is built. At the workshop we have all the facilities to check the body's geometry and fit your child to their trike. If necessary we can correct every biomechanical aspect and of course instruct you on how your very special Tomcat works.
See also FAQ 9 on Carer Control, FAQ 10 on Carer Braking, FAQ 11 on Custom Building, FAQ 14 on Riding Problems, FAQ 16 on Ankle Problems and FAQ 17 on heaviness.
Daniel has a muscle wasting disease and often finds walking very difficult so his trike is an important part of his health regime. Because of his poor grip his Tomcat has a Carer Brake but also a gear change at the rear so his mum can change derailleur gears for him.
The Tomcat has several provisions for epilepsy, which will help you during an episode.
It has a park brake, which should be applied immediately. This will prevent the trike moving whilst you handle the situation.
The Footshoes have a strap that passes over the instep then around the heel. It is a single strap, which crosses over the foot in this way to firmly secure the foot against movement under normal circumstances. However, during a seizure this strap can be instantly released by pulling open a 'hook and loop' closer and dragging the foot backwards from the Footshoes. This design was developed following the writer's difficulties during an epileptic episode, where the original and conventional design of two straps with separate buckles took several valuable seconds to release the rider. The new design is virtually instantaneous, much like a ski shoe.
All Tomcat backrests (There are several configurations) have quick release devices, however if a rider is prone to unpredictable seizures that make them flop or result in uncontrolled and violent movements, it may be best to fit a waistcoat to a fully upholstered backrest that will support them safely throughout the duration of the seizure. It will hold their trunk securely, whilst you deal with the situation. In these extreme circumstances there should always be two carers, one to apply the brake and stabilise the trike or rider (uncontrollable movements) whilst the other carer attends to the rider.
If medication is necessary we can supply customised attachment points for equipment, saddle bags or if you prefer, wicker or mesh baskets.
What About Behaviour Problems? Back to Top
The behaviour problems you deal with as a parent or carer can be very varied, but in trike terms the problem is always the same ensuring their safety at all times!
The Tomcat is provided with many ways to ensure safety, as follows:
Carer Controlled Trikesª with carer control of steering, braking and speed. The latter is an important factor when behaviour problems are a feature of the disability.
Carer Braked Trikes. The rider steers and brakes but the carer has an overriding brake with which to stop the trike if necessary. If required, braking can be arranged with powerful disc brakes to brake the pedals as well as the wheels.
Straps for the feet with easy release 'hook and loop' fasteners, ideal for epilepsy conditions.
A security backrest with waist strap and buckle or in extreme cases a thoracic waistcoat can be used.
Hand and wrist straps, with hook and loop closers for immediate release, that maintain the riders grip on the handlebars.
Perhaps best of all is the fun factor. Because a Tomcat is great fun and can safely take them places you might otherwise think twice about, it has a very calming influence and can be used to calm a child that is feeling stressed or be used as a reward for good behaviour.
Also, we can build or supply special provisions to suit your individual requirements.
What About Changes in their Disability or General Health? Back to Top
The Tomcat is a very sophisticated trike, designed to change with the child. For example, a child who has deteriorating sight may need to go from a conventional trike to one with carer braking and some parental guidance, to Full Carer Control when their sight is too badly impaired to steer themselves. In the case of improving health it may be vice versa. Whatever the problem Tomcat is there to help, not just when we build the trike but throughout its life and our customers are always welcome at the Tomcat workshops for upgrades, downgrades, service, repairs, spares or just a chat about how things are going.
TECHNICAL FEATURES AND BIO ENGINEERING ISSUES
What is Full Carer Control? Back to Top
Carer Control is a Tomcat invention that allows the carer to steer and brake the trike whilst the rider pedals. It is used for riders who are unable to make these complex judgements for themselves, for example those who are visually impaired, have learning difficulties or have problems with their arms and hands. Children like Cloe for example whose judgement is affected by Cerebral Palsy and learning difficulties.
How does Carer Control Work; is it like a parent pole?
No, a parent pole is a simple dragging or pushing arm clamped to the frame or handlebars and should not be confused with the Tomcat system... With Tomcat Carer Control, the carer can actually steer and brake for the rider, much like dual controls on a car.
Carer Controlled Trikes and Quads have a joystick control arm at the rear of the trike. When the Carer moves the arm left or right the trike steers left or right. Pull back on the joystick and the brakes are applied.
Carer control also features 'Automatic Speed Control'. This is a novel feature that automatically restricts the speed of the trike to the carers walking speed no matter how steep the hill or how powerful the child.
Other features include a park brake, safety wrist strap, a steering selector that disengages carer steering and enables full rider steering, and a fully folding arm for easier transport and storage.
Does the rider have the 'feel of steering' when using Carer Control?
Yes the handlebars are still active. This is important for the learning process, but the rider cannot override the Carer's choices. When carer steering is de-selected the Carer can still apply the brake but the rider is in sole control of steering.
Why is the control behind the rider?
This position is close enough to attend to the rider's needs without being a distraction and gives the rider a sense of independence and personal achievement. These factors and the thrill of movement are the great incentive to get out in the fresh air and have fun!
Are Carer Controlled trikes safe to use outdoors, near a busy road for example?
Yes. The Tomcat is easier to use than a wheelchair or buggy and lots more fun. There are very few places you cannot take a Tomcat.
Tom Baker riding at East Leach in Gloucestershire
Mum and dad told us in a letter that Laura finds walking 'very scary', but she thoroughly enjoys her Tomcat. Thanks to Carer Control she can go on real journeys to real places... with a little help from mum of course. You can read more about Laura's story and how her Tomcat has helped her on the 'Testimonials' page.
What is a Carer Braking? Back to Top
Carer Braking is a spin-off invention of Tomcat Carer Control. A Carer Braked Tomcat is at first glance, an ordinary trike or Quad, where the rider is braking and steering independently. Howeve,r there is a small pull lever at the rear of the trike that connects to the brakes. When supervision is required, a lead is attached to the lever which when pulled by the Carer, will apply the brakes. It can even be arranged to prevent the rider turning the pedals.
Who would use a Carer Braked Trike?
The Tomcat Carer Brake is the second most popular Tomcat Control system. It can be used for a broad spectrum of disabilities where the rider may need extra supervision. Examples are: mild learning difficulties, behaviour problems, poor danger awareness, slow physical response, the riders own anxiety over safety, poor fine and gross motor function and many, many more reasons besides.
Is it a normal trike in all other respects?
Yes it is. The rider steers and brakes the trike in the conventional way and they can be completely independent when it is safe for them to do so. The Carer Brake is only necessary when, for example, the rider leaves a park or quiet street to ride near to, or cross over, a busy road. Under these circumstances the Carer might attach the strap to the lever in order to negotiate the hazard and when safe to do so, it can be just as easily removed. Tomcat Carer Braking can be fitted to any Tomcat Trike.
Louise has difficulty with her muscle response and the grip of her hands. She has always felt anxious on a trike even though she wants to ride one very much and needs the exercise as part of her therapy regime.
Because her trike has Carer Braking, and mum or dad are always there to help, she has the confidence she needs to ride to school each day.
Why is custom building so important? Back to Top
A bespoke suit, will always fit better, look smarter, and last longer than one bought off the peg and a special needs tricycle is really no different.
The Tomcat is the UK's only fully bespoke tricycle. Tomcats are made for people of all age groups and disabilities but our clients are often among the most severely disabled. We customise every aspect that affects their ability to succeed, including the size and shape of the frame, the gearing, braking, steering, handlebars, seating, cranks, pedals, backrests and accessories.
But customisation is about more than physical disability. We have to consider decision making difficulties too, such as learning difficulties and visual impairment Whatever the problem, Tomcat design a solution that will work for that person to help them achieve their very best potential. As a result, there are hundreds of Tomcat Trikes in regular use and each one is unique.
Like the bespoke tailor we have to get it right and families come to us from all over the UK because their child has had difficulties with an 'off the shelf' product. Though our customers are often among the more severely disabled the Tomcat has a near 100% success rate and no Tomcat has ever been returned as unwanted. We are very, very proud of that!
A genetic condition has made it very difficult for Rhodri to ride a trike or even get on and off, so a very special Tomcat was built for him. It has a long frame, rocking handlebars, a low step through and removable components such as seat and backrest. Each feature is designed to help him past his specific obstacles.
Rhodri finds it very hard and tiring to walk though he needs exercise for his health. His Tomcat has given him the means to take more gentle exercise whilst going much further a field. As a result his Tomcat has become a liberating friend to the whole family.
You can read more about Rhodri's story in a letter from mum on the Testimonials page.
What about Transportation and Storage? Back to Top
The Tomcat has a unique transportation system called the Tomcat Two Piece Frameª. As its name suggests, the Tomcat Two Piece Frame comes apart into two entirely separate sections, in just a few seconds. It is completely spanner free and because of its ease of use, can usually be assembled by younger children as well as mum or dad.
It has a unique safety system that ensures it can never come apart in service even if the assembly mechanisms are left loose. If not assembled correctly, it will also prevent the trike from moving away.
Ease of use and lightness make it practical to take the Tomcat instead of the wheelchair. In two parts it is able to fit in most car boots which means it can be used instead of a wheelchair for a wide range of family pursuits. These might include shopping, respite, day trips and holidays to name but a few and of course, the Tomcat is much more dignified than the wheelchair.
It is an ideal way to get exercise, keep muscles supple, and strengthen heart and lungs; best of all its fun! If a Tomcateer is happy and content it can lower the whole family's stress level and turn a family day out into a great day out.
At home the Tomcat's lightness and two piece practicality make storage easy too, as it can be hung right out of the way on a garage wall or even hang its wheels up in the porch.
What about the Trikes Lifespan; how long will my Tomcat last? Back to Top
As with all tricycles and bicycles the Tomcat is adjusted by raising the saddle and handlebars, and sometimes by fitting a longer pedal crank. The larger the frame, the more adjustment, and therefore the longer the lifespan of the trike. As you can see, lifespan is age related. The age range is from 3 yrs to adult with greater life expectancy for the trike as the child grows older. Children from 7 years can generally be expected to grow by a foot (30cm) before outgrowing the trike, whilst children of 13 or 14 will probably never outgrow it.
For the above reasons, under 6 year olds grow out of trikes and bikes very quickly, but the Tomcat has a very novel solution to that problem. Unlike some trikes that move the seat ever further backwards, the Tomcat overcomes the lifespan problem without ruining posture, and backward movement does ruin posture!
To achieve this, certain key sections of the frame can be removed and replaced with longer sections as the child grows, therefore even the juniors can enjoy a very long lifespan from their Tricycle. It doesn't have to look like a Russian farm implement either as you can see from the Tomcat below. It sports a two-piece frame as well as removable frame sections. Though a little more expensive, the system can more than double the trike's lifespan whilst retaining good looks and correct posture.
Being custom made the Tomcat has one other great advantage over a ready made trike. A ready made trike may already be well into its potential lifespan when you buy it but a custom made Tomcat is always just right, with the longest possible lifespan ahead of it.
This is a Tomcat for a five year old. It has a two-piece frame and renewable sections as described above.
It is also fitted with Tomcat Carer Control, Footshoes, a Tomcat Upholstered Backrest and a Waistcoat for Spinal control.
It was built for a child with severe learning difficulties and spasticity in all four limbs but with no spinal support of his own.
It proves that with a Tomcat, you don't have to sacrifice good looks for special needs no matter how severe they may be.
Why cant my child ride a trike? Back to Top
Human nature is to try to succeed wherever possible and because riding a trike is fun, children want to ride if they can so if they try very hard but fail - something else is wrong!
Trike troubles and woes is a complex subject and only a few simple examples can be given here but the above statement is definitely true. We tend to blame failure on a child's disability but in the writers experience the villain is usually an inappropriate tricycle.
Anxiety, Safety Worries and Stabilisers... Enemy No 1
Stabilisers are disastrous where learning difficulties, balance or co-ordination are factors and would be better called 'de-stabilisers' because the child usually feels very wobbly and unsafe on a device which by default leans sideways, and sometimes flops over. A child may not be able to tell you they feel unsafe but they certainly know it themselves. Stabilisers are, at best, a stopgap for a child who will eventually manage a two-wheeler. They should never be used for children with disability and often put kids off riding a trike.
Stabilisers are a confidence disaster, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Learning difficulties and Blindness
A trike may be too complex for them to understand. Perhaps they tried but because they could not achieve a result, they rejected the activity as too difficult or confusing, however Tomcat's innovative technology can overcome most problems associated with learning difficulties and sensory deprivation such as blindness. (Please see FAQ 2 for more details.)
The physical issues, Posture, Comfort and Effort
Many factors can be wrong and cause a child to reject a trike. Off the shelf trikes are often heavy or may be too high or too low geared. Posture may be wrong or joints may be ranging inappropriately or painfully. It is essential that posture, body geometrics and effort required, are all correct if the child is to succeed.
The correct cycling posture is a 'Miss Marple' sit up and beg posture. This keeps the back straight and the legs slightly ahead of, but under the torso. This posture has evolved over many years and (modern fads aside) bicycles have changed little in that time so if its not broke! However many special needs trikes are adjusted my moving the saddle not upwards as they grow, but backwards in a pedal car type posture. It gives a wide range of adjustment and enables the manufacturer to limit the number of sizes in the range, but success is not about solving the manufacturers problems, its about the child's problems. A trike that maintains a proper body posture gives them a far better opportunity to succeed.
Where joint range, or skeletal deformity is a factor, inappropriate crank length and/or incorrect seat height can cause the joints and muscles to move to uncomfortable positions, this may cause the child to reject the trike through pain or discomfort. Adjustment will often overcome the problems but it does require a skilled eye to detect the difficulty. Sometimes, however it is down to inappropriate trike geometry and a custom made trike may be the only way to overcome the difficulty.
In conclusion many problems may cause a child to reject a trike. It may be complexity, poor adjustment, or discomfort, but whatever the problem, if your child really tried but failed it was the trike that was at fault, not them. What is important to remember is that when the problem is understood; it can usually be overcome!
See Also FAQ 15 on poor riding posture, FAQ 16 on Ankle problems and FAQ 17 on heaviness.
Why does my child walk so well but sit so poorly on a trike? Back to Top
Many unexpected problems can occur when a child starts riding his or her trike for the first time. Because Tomcateers are often among the more severely disabled, we are very familiar with these problems and can usually correct them if physical by nature or advise how to handle them if not.
Many parents choose to collect their trike from Tomcat so that we can resolve any problems and we try to make your visit to the Gloucester Business Park as pleasant and welcoming as possible. We have a family reception facility with video for the kids, whilst the park grounds themselves are safe, beautifully landscaped and ideal for trying out your new Tomcat.
In cases of severe physical disability, we may insist that the trike is properly fitted at Tomcat to ensure every aspect of comfort, safety and adjustment is correct, however we do not charge for this service because final fitting is the most important part of the service we offer on the very best special needs tricycle that money can buy.
For those who cannot collect, the following list may help you identify the more common problems. We are always pleased to give help and guidance over the phone or from video film.
Standing up on both pedals or bringing the trike to an abrupt halt. - SLD's.
This problem can be saddle soreness with hardened Tomcateers so if it happens during a long ride, let them get off for a few moments.
It may be discomfort through bad adjustment so read about posture adjustment.
If it occurs shortly after trying their trike for the first time it is much more subtle and interesting as you will see!
When a child rides a trike for the first time a common pattern emerges. Firstly they appear to do very well and shoot off rapidly, albeit a bit jerkily. Secondly comes a period of stopping abruptly or standing up on the pedals. Thirdly and finally comes a much more fluid and co-ordinated phase of proper sitting and controlled pedalling.
This happens with so many children that the writer believes it is part of a logical learning process that you can reasonable expect to encounter with Severe Learning Difficulties and is explained as follows.
When the child realises that pushing with the foot causes movement, they push down hard to achieve this. When the trike stops because the active foot has reached its lowest arc, they try with the other foot which creates another rapid jerky movement. Cause and effect are linked in the child's mind and as it is good fun so they try to get an even better result by pressing down with both feet simultaneously at 9:15 o'clock. After all two must be better than one, mustn't it? When they realise this idea is completely counterproductive and only causes the trike to stop, they go on to an alternating push with both legs and suddenly they are pedalling fluidly. This behaviour is a perfectly normal part of the learning process and they will eventually settle down.
Leaning backwards
This is a distracting habit that many children get into, sometimes to look at mum or dad behind, sometimes through discomfort and sometimes through anxiety! Make sure when they are sat properly that the backrest is not pushing them forward or pressing against the spine. There should be the width of a finger gap between backbone and backrest. The saddle pommel should be slightly higher than the back of the saddle. If they slide forward, try raising the pommel even more (13mm nut beneath saddle). If the problem persists, raise the backrest, above the hollow of the spine as this will make it very difficult to lean backwards. If they feel anxious, they may seek out reassurance from something solid, i.e. the backrest. Try all other recommendations first then closely examine their sitting posture. Follow the recommendations for 'Awkward Posture'. If the problem cannot be resolved, consult Tomcat.
Taking Hands off the Handlebars
Many children do this including Tom Baker. He has many other important things to do like waving at people and eating apples as he cycles. Assuming the trike has a backrest and footshoes, and the rider has good balance and doesn't have other bad habits such as leaning, rocking, etc, don't worry too much about it on a carer controlled trike; but if it is a concern, check the handlebars are close enough for easy reach. They should not be at stretch. Also check handlebar height. Forearms should be roughly level. If the problem persists, stop the trike each time it happens and give a simple clear message like 'hands on'! Wait for 'hands on' before you proceed! If a child has difficulty gripping the handlebars through physical disability then special handlebars may be required. If the problem persists, consult Tomcat.
Awkward Posture
This is a common problem and there are many reasons why it might happen. It often requires a lot of experience to diagnose the reasons why. Typically a rider who normally walks properly will slump or slew his body on a trike for no apparent reason. The writer cannot cover all eventualities here but there is a very sound principle on which a diagnosis can usually be made.
The rider will always seek to achieve two things on their trike and these are safety and comfort.
Safety
If the child feels unsafe they may lean sideways or backwards to seek out support where they can find it. From a poorly adjusted backrest for example. This is more common where a child has spinal or balance problems, and where Cerebral Palsy is combined with LD's. The child wants to lean against something solid and reliable, therefore good backrest adjustment is extremely important and should be considered first. Refer to 'Leaning Backwards and Awkward Posture'.
Comfort
A rider will naturally move to a position that is most comfortable even if it looks awkward to the observer. To diagnose what is happening, it is necessary to have knowledge of the rider's disability, particularly of hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle joints, both those which are good and those which are bad as imbalance may also be a factor. After observing the geometry of movement of the body in the skewed position, imagine the body in a good posture and decide what effect it would have on the known affected joints. Chances are the correct posture would put the affected joint under even greater stress or strain. If so then that will be the reason for the problem no matter how unlikely it may seem and even though the affected joint, muscle or bone, may be a long way away from the badly positioned bum!
For example. A child has a restricted range of both elbows, the left being straighter than the right. The rider sits in a poor posture with his bottom slewed to the right - why?
Because the handlebars are straight across in the 'ahead position' the child will need to have the right shoulder nearer the handlebars than the left because of the crook in the right arm. This causes a twist to the spine that the child may compensate for by moving the left buttock over the centre of the saddle, by leaning forward or hunching shoulders.
When the reasons are understood the solution is simple! The handlebars are unlocked and turned slightly clockwise whilst the trike is pointed straight ahead so that the right grip is nearer the rider than the left. The rider can then hold the handlebars in an easy and comfortable position and the spine will straighten! Much the same happens with restricted movement of hips or knees and is a particular problem with forced twisting of ankles.
There is always a reason for bad posture and usually a remedy. As has been said before the Tomcat is a mechanical machine designed to work in harmony with a biological machine. If it is not finely tuned this may upset the biological machine and it may perform badly. When people say 'Oh it's just their disability' they're wrong, it's the trike! The problem is always the trike - never the child!
Problems of this kind are the very best reason for visiting Tomcat and getting expert advice, however we can usually identify the problem from a Physio's report and a video for trikes that are delivered by courier.
See Also FAQ 16 What about ankle problems?
What about Ankle problems? Back to Top
About 30% of the children we see have a problem with their feet and can often be closely linked to their walking difficulties. These problems often stem from other areas such as hips, knees, calf muscles or Achilles tendons.
These problems have less effect on a trike because their feet do not need to be at a particular angle on a pedal as they do on a flat road surface, however there are problems to be solved and these usually fall into three groups.
- Floppy ankle muscles
- Taut Achilles tendons and/or calf muscles causing the toes to point down
- Rotated feet.
Floppy ankles
Trike manufacturers often address this issue with splints, callipers or by linking the pedals with a cord and pulley system. This certainly prevents the ankle from tilting but does nothing to exercise the ankle itself. This is not very helpful if the whole point of the tricycle was to strengthen weak muscles and joints in preparation for walking. If they are to properly exercise weak and floppy ankles, then a way has to be found for the ankle to cope with the pedalling forces all on its own.
The Tomcat system does away with the ironmongery in all cases, other than abduction or adduction where callipers may be required to prevent knock-knees, bow-legs or wind sweeping.
The foot is anatomically the most complex part of the human body so it's no wonder so many problems occur in this area. The ankle is essentially a universal joint supported by many muscles, each of which is intended to pull the foot in a particular direction at a particular time by tilting, twisting or turning.
By design the foot is intended to press down in the area of the ball of the foot but this assumes that the complex muscle and tendon structure is also as intended. When disability changes the mechanism of the foot, the most natural pushing position may change, moving nearer to the toes or further away depending upon which of the complex matrix of muscles and joints that control the foot, are most affected.
It is very easy for a floppy foot to rock on a pedal and it will do just that if the natural 'pushing point' is not directly over the fulcrum of the pedal; but if that point can be found, then even very weak and floppy ankles are usually able to be self supporting. The problem is how do you find the natural 'pushing point' and how do you position the foot in just the right place on the pedal.
Tomcat pedals and footshoes look simple enough but a lot of development went into their design for exactly the reasons just described. If a child is to walk they need strong ankles. If the ankle gets no exercise it cannot grow strong, therefore the 'pushing point' has to be identified and placed directly above the fulcrum of the pedal and as close to it as possible. What's more, it must be in the same place every time the child jumps on the trike, and it must be adjustable as they grow.
Tomcat Footshoes are unique in the way they work because they prevent all front to back movement of the foot that might cause the 'pushing point' to move off position, and this is true even if the straps become loose. By observing the tilt of the foot as the child pedals, an experienced person can judge where the 'pushing point' is, in relation to the pedal fulcrum, and by making adjustments to the footshoe, can bring the 'pushing point' directly over the fulcrum, at which time the foot and shin should be roughly 90 degrees to one another on the downward stroke.
If this is achieved it means that the ankle is completely self supporting and coping with the effort of pedalling on its own. From that statement it can be seen that a floppy ankle that is 'foot down' or 'heel down' has ceased to cope with the effort of pedalling and the joint has been forced to move to its physical limit.
Tip Toe pedalling due to tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles
At the opposite end of the spectrum to floppy ankles comes taut ankles, usually due to tightness of the Achilles tendon or Gastrocnemius (Calf) muscle. Just as the Tomcat footshoe can be adjusted to find the perfect point of balance for the foot, so it can be adjusted to a 'bad' point of balance. This can be very useful for tight tendons etc, because this 'out of balance' position can cause a lot more effort than normal to be applied to the affected part of the body. This causes a natural stretch and release action of muscles and tendons, every time the person pushes down on the pedal and can provide exactly the kind of exercise a Physiotherapist would recommend. The degree of stretch can be easily adjusted by moving the footshoe. It the joint structure is particularly taut, there will be very little obvious effect in the short term, but as with all exercise the real benefit comes from prolonged use.
Rotated feet
This is a very common problem with very serious consequences for posture if attempts are made, either deliberately or by accident to straighten the foot in a constraint whilst pedalling. Physiotherapists often remark that it would be nice to straighten the foot with the footshoe but experience has taught us that this does not work on a trike. The only result will be poor posture of the spine as the rider seeks a position that takes the pressure off the unnaturally twisted ankle.
As a consequence the trike cannot correct rotation of the foot and this task must remain with the therapist. Instead the trike must try to accommodate the rotation without interference, but the true site of the deformity must be known as this may not necessarily be the ankle itself and may start from the hip for example. If this is the case it can cause a change in rotation as the child pedals and this too must be accommodated if it is not to lead to other discomfort raisers.
The Tomcat footshoe is able to deal with most of these problems, because of its multiple adjustability. The footshoe can be finely adjusted front to back, left to right, clockwise and anticlockwise, and this can be simply achieved with the rider on the trike. In that way an experienced eye can make fine adjustments as they cycle until each ankle is exercising in comfort. It is one of the most important checks we make when Tomcateers come to collect their new tricycle.
Why are most Special Needs Trikes so heavy? What about the Tomcat? Back to Top
The Tomcat is the lightest special needs trike available and is just 40% of the weight of some well-established makes.
A lot of design time was devoted to achieving this because it is very important. When muscle power is low, the last thing a child needs is a heavy trike to pedal and its very hard work for those who have to handle it too!
The Tomcat can be lifted with one hand, and is even easier to handle as a two-piece frame. It gets its strength and stability from good design, a wide wheelbase and modern materials, not sheer weight of metal. Because of its triangulated design, (the Tomcat geometry is all triangles and pyramids) it has immense strength and sturdiness without energy sapping weight.
When Special Needs Trike design has not given proper attention to structural weight distribution they can still be described, as 'Wobbly' even though they are heavy, and this is particularly true for older and heavier riders. To test for this, seat the rider on the trike you are trying out and try to rock the user left and right. There should be no flex at the seat level, other than an allowance for tyres, which should be fully inflated. A bad design will be obvious.
And for the technically minded... a bit about bearings
A manufacturer's cost cutting measure that also makes a trike hard to pedal is poor rear axle bearing arrangements. Tomcat use 'sealed for life' ball bearings on its axles, just like a modern car. Their friction co-efficient (power lost due to friction) is virtually zero and they never need lubrication.
If a trike's axle needs to be lubricated by you; is described as 'Self Lubricating' or has 'Nylon, or Sintered Phosphor Bronze' bearings it will be a simple 'axle and sleeve' bearing much like an old-fashioned cart or wheelbarrow. This means that it will have a high frictional co-efficient, even when new, and will deteriorate with time or lack of maintenance.
A Tomcat suitable for a child with Behaviour Problem, Learning Difficulties or Blindness with poor balance, co-ordination or other walking difficulties.
Specification
- Full Carer Controls.
- Swivel Saddle and Backrest.
- Footshoes.
- Disc Brakes for Behaviour Problems. (Arrangement prevents pedals from turning as well as wheels).
- Two Piece Frame.
- Replaceable Seat Post.
- Custom Designed and Hand Built.
What about Trikes for schools and Playgroups? Back to Top
Tomcat build trikes for schools and playgroups but there are several important technical differences that make things easier for carers when many children will use the same trike.
School Tomcats are still custom built but to the overall size range and ability of the class.
All adjustable parts such as handlebars, seat, foot-supports and foot straps can be quickly and easily adjusted without tools.
Each adjustment has a graduated scale that can be set to the user's individual profile, which is established by the Physiotherapist or OT and recorded on a special profile chart... The carer simply resets each adjustable part to the child's profile using the graduated scales.
What about Trailer Trikes? Back to Top
We are often asked about trailer trikes as an alternative to a tricycle, particularly when the family are keen on cycling. Tomcat build trailer trikes based on the Tomcat trike design and these will accept all the Tomcat accessories. They can also be equipped with up to 21 gears as a derailleur system or 3 to 5 gears as a hub system, however there are a few points to bear in mind before you consider a trailer.
Trailers can be built in two ways, with pedals and 'ride on'. It a trailer has pedals it must be a 'freewheel' type drive and not a fixed drive. With a fixed drive the pedals are forced to go around and if there were only one gear ratio, the pedals would be a blur at high speed. For that reason a trailer must have a freewheel. As luck should have it all geared arrangement involve a free wheel however FAQ 1 explains why children with severe learning difficulties will probably not pedal a free wheel type drive and will more probably sit on the trailer and let mum or dad do all the hard work!
For these reasons there is a skill level at which a trailer cannot be used for a child with special needs except as a sit on type option.
To use a trailer trike safely the rider must be able to
- Understand when they must pedal and when they can freewheel.
- Preferably be able to change gear
- Be fully aware of the need to lean into corners to maintain balance at speed
- Be in good communication with the cycle rider about road surface, intended actions, tiredness, etc.
- Be stable, able to balance and be of good truncal co-ordination.
- Be danger aware.
- Need no restraints other than for support purposes.
Children who are not able to reach those standards cannot ride a pedalled trailer trike and must instead use a 'ride on' type. If a trike is ride on, many provisions can be made for restraint, such as footshoes to secure the feet, lap straps, waistcoats etc, however a trailer is still unadvisable for children who are not reasonably danger aware or who might have seizures, or lean on the trailer, either sideways, forward or backwards.
In conclusion a pedal trailer is not for everyone and we will not build pedal trailers unless we are certain that it is suitable for the child. In general terms the child will have only moderate learning difficulties, be of general good health, balance and co-ordination, be in control of the trailer's equipment, be danger aware and be in good communication with the cycle rider.
COST, FUNDING AND ORDERING PROCEEDURES
How much does a Tomcat cost? Back to Top
Obviously the cost will vary with the complexity and there are many, many innovations and accessories that you may need, so it is best to call and tell us about your requirement, however every feature of a Tomcat has a fixed price so when we know what you need it is easy to prepare a fixed quote.
If you have read a lot about the Tomcat on this website you are probably expecting a Tomcat to be very expensive and when many accessories are required to deal with severe disability it can be. However it may come as a surprise to know that, a 'like for like' simple Tomcat without special provision is often cheaper than a ready made special needs tricycle. This is possible because of the high cost of selling a ready-made trike.
If a trike is not custom built like the Tomcat, it has to be tried first, and this involves a salesman with a van. This is obviously very expensive.
With a Tomcat we don't usually need to do that. This is because in most cases where there is no significant physical disability, we can design and build a trike from the information we receive about height, anatomical variants and build etc, and still guarantee that it will be correct. This is very useful for customers abroad or in hard to reach places.
In practice, trying a child on a demo trike is always a compromise and is usually more useful for the parents than for us, because it often gives a poor idea of how well they will do on a trike made just for them. Where there is no significant physical disability, our preference is to build the frame to our calculations, then have the Tomcateer come and collect their trike. We can then make sure that everything is exactly right, and if there are problems we can adjust them. With a Tomcat, the value goes into the engineering and not into the cost of sales.
Not so simple trikes!
When a Tomcat is fitted with one of the many Tomcat innovations there is no 'like for like' and so the final cost will be higher, but if it means the difference between succeeding or failing then the extra cost is usually considered to be money well spent.
The many charities that fund trikes, obviously have tight budgetary control but despite that, Tomcat is the preferred vendor for many, and some of the very best can be found on our links page. Charities like to fund a Tomcat because they know their money won't be gathering dust in a garage. As a result a Tomcat is one of the easiest trikes to obtain funding for and we will be very pleased to help you with that requirement. Please see FAQ 21
Is help available with funding? Back to Top
Yes it is. About 95% of all Tomcats are part, or fully funded, and most people are able to get help in this way but people are often unsure how to start.
The Tomcat Trike and Tomcat the company, have built a reputation for excellence among many UK charities, and we are the 'preferred vendor' for many of these. Because of this a Tomcat is easy to fund because the charity know their money will be well spent and the trike used for the purpose they intended.
We can guide you on funding issues and you will find links to some of the best charities on our links page, however many parents feel uncomfortable about asking for help, so it may be useful to understand a little of how most charities work.
Most charities are run by people who have a very personal reason for helping their cause and they are often provided with funds by a vast army of ordinary people and businesses who want to help in one way or another. Perhaps it is done by a few weekly pennies from wages, fund raising events, fun runs. collections, or a lump sum by a successful company.
What the people at source don't have is the knowledge or means to distribute their money, so they ask their chosen charity to do that job for them. To complete the loop the charity needs you to apply, and if you do, the good wishes of the many, pass to the few, just as intended. Of course there are checks to ensure that the grant is appropriate but if you fit their criteria and they can help, then they will help. To help those less fortunate is why they get up in the mornings, and the social help they provide is immeasurable, so if you genuinely need help, you should not think it is not meant for you... It is!
Is it means tested?
Often it is. If a family have a large disposable income at the end of each month, it may be difficult to obtain funding as the charity will reason that you are well able to afford to purchase yourself, however if outgoings on normal living expenses, (mortgage, car, clothing, food, holiday etc) generally matches incomings, then you may be eligible. Income is not in itself, the criteria.
Who can help?
There are many National children's charities that will fund tricycles. Tomcat is well known to many of these, and we can put you in touch, though the actual application must come from you. They will invariably require support information from your Physio, Social worker or other such professional but it is best to give them a call to ask if they can help and how you should apply.
Additionally your local library holds a directory of all registered charities, with information on what they will fund and how much they may contribute. The librarian may also be able to give you contacts for local charities such as the Lions, Rotary, Round Table, Masonic lodges, Fire Service, Police, and many more. Local papers too, often like to champion a good cause.
Are there any independent ways?
Yes there are. You should never forget your own employment and that benevolent fund you have paid into for years without thinking about it. Ask your manager if there is help available through such a fund or the professional body to which you subscribe. You will be surprised how often the answer is yes.
Self-funding is also easy and effective if you have the organisational skills. Perhaps your club or local pub, could help you hold a disco or sponsor you in some way. This is usually an excellent way forward because people who know you will want to help if they can.
For more information or help please call Tomcat.
Can you build a Tomcat if we live abroad? Back to Top
We can and often do. Providing we have complete and accurate information about the rider there are usually no problems other than the additional cost of delivery, except in cases of severe physical disability.
As a general rule of thumb we cannot export in cases where severe disability affects the articulating limbs and joints or in other circumstances that require the rider to come to the Tomcat workshops for final fitting. Such difficulties might include restricted range of movement of hips or knees, 'At Risk' joints, severe adduction, etc. It is usually not possible to overcome these problems without a proper fitting and specialist knowledge.
Decision making problems such as learning difficulties or blindness are rarely a problem however, nor are most problems affecting, hands arms, or ankles.
We want a Tomcat, what happens now? Back to Top
- If you would like a Tomcat for your child, the procedure is as follows.
- Contact us, and tell us about your child in complete confidence. In certain cases it might be necessary to assess your child in person.
- From the information we receive from parents, Physiotherapists or by assessment we can prepare a fixed quote.
- We will send you an information pack, including photos of the features we are recommending, the quote and if required, contact numbers for obtaining funding.
- If you are seeking funding you must then apply and wait to hear if you application has been successful.
- When you have been awarded a grant, you should contact Tomcat giving us the Funder's reference if any.
- We will then require more detailed and up to date information about height, inside leg etc, from which we can design and build the frame.
- When the trike is built you may come to Tomcat for fitting or we will deliver to you, however certain disability may require you come to Tomcat workshops for a proper fitting.
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