Bathtub Brace

This project was done for a client who has Friedreich's Ataxia. As a result, she experiences a loss of coordination and muscle weakness and was having difficulty bathing. She kept sliding forward and was worried about her head going underwater.

She came to Tetra with a request for a device that would allow her to bathe independently.

A Tetra volunteer attached a 2" diameter white polyvinyl chloride pipe cross-wise near the bottom of the bathtub. It was fastened with to both sides of the tub and raised one inch off the bottom, allowing the water to drain easily. The client can now rest her posterior against the pipe, which keeps her from sliding forward making it possible for her to take a bath safely and without aid.

The project cost only $12.00 but changed this client's life.