One of my friends recently drove to the next city to get the last Plasma car the toy store or perhaps even the city had in stock. She was motivated to find one after having seen her four year old son with Cerebral Palsy ride one at daycare. You see you don’t pedal it to make it move, it doesn’t even have pedals. To move this fun riding toy you turn the wheel from left to right and let nature’s forces do the work! To slow it down – just stop turning the wheel. To stop – just put your feet down on the floor or pavement. My friend says that her son can easily drive the Plasma Car down their long driveway. So he’s getting exercise, having fun and can keep up when riding with his peers. She said that she can fly down the driveway on it, too.
Here is an advertisement for the car that I found on the internet.
The Plasma Car™ ride-on is like magic, but you don’t need to be a magician to get it to work. The PlasmaCar™ is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. It’s so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface.
The PlasmaCar™ is adult-friendly, too. For starters, it doesn’t require an expensive power source that needs constant replacement. No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two. It’s quiet too-the only sound you’ll hear is the sound of its wheels. It provides kids with plenty of exercise, more so than most toys. And the PlasmaCar is engineered to be absolutely safe when used appropriately.
The PlasmaCar™ can handle a load of 220 lbs on a smooth, flat surface, and 120 lbs on a rough, flat surface.
For the kids, the PlasmaCar™ is pure energy and pure fun. For the folks, it’s safe, inexpensive, and quiet.
Is there really anything therapeutic about using the Plasma Bike? Well according to this article I found, I believe there is, so read on.
Physical therapist specialize in improving the development of the large muscles of the body, such as those in the legs, arms and abdomen (gross motor skills). Physical therapists help children learn better ways to move and balance. They may help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk, use a wheelchair, stand by themselves, or go up and down stairs safely. Physical therapists will also work on fun skills such as running, kicking and throwing, or learning to ride a bike. Physical therapy usually begins in the first few years of life, or soon after the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made. These therapists use specific sets of exercises to work toward the prevention of musculoskeletal complications. An example of this is preventing the weakening or deterioration of muscles that can develop with lack of use. Also, physical therapy will help avoid contractures, in which muscles become fixed in a rigid, abnormal position. Physical therapy will help prevent musculoskeletal problems, as well as helping your child perform common everyday activities.
http://www.about-cerebral-palsy.org/treatment-therapy/
