Boccia champion Tim benefits from sports physiotherapy at home with accessible Gemini 2000 bath
| Project: | Hayes family |
| Location: | Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex |
| Solution: | Hoist accessible Gemini 2000 hi-lo platform bath |
| Bather conditions: | Cerebral palsy and reduced mobility |
The 2m, extra long and spacious Gemini 2000 provides ample room for Tim to soak and relax
Para sportsman Tim Hayes, 29, from Goring-by-Sea, has been able to replace the stress of being showered with the relaxing experience of soaking in an accessible bath thanks to Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions.
From starting to play Boccia at primary school, Tim rose through the rankings to reach the pinnacle of his sporting achievements by winning the UK championships in 2017. He represented England for several years, traveling to events across Europe; however, following the loss of his mum, he took a break from internationals to concentrate on national super league Boccia.
Away from competing, Tim is passionate about film, friends and Chelsea Football Club – all made easier by the therapeutic support of a specialist Gemini 2000 bath. This oversized, 2-metre long bathing solution has made ‘a huge impact’ on his life – helping to ease problems associated with cerebral palsy and generally improving his well-being. Tim’s Abacus bath is ‘brilliant.’
Tim lives with Shaun, his dad and main carer, in an accessible bungalow which includes a bathroom conversion funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The family are supported by carers during the day who, alongside Shaun, help Tim bathe thanks to a ceiling track hoist and Gemini 2000. Tim is mobile around the home with a powerchair; however, needs lifting assistance to get in and out of the bath.
“My bath is brilliant”
The Gemini can be lifted up and down to assist carers and reduce possible back injuries
As the Gemini has an integrated changing, drying and bathing platform, Tim can be easily lowered onto this and then the bath sides are raised. With the bath pre-filled under the platform, Tim is gently immersed as the temperature-controlled water level is raised – providing him with a spacious bathing solution. Add to this an integrated shower, built-in BioCote antimicrobial protection and AirSpa, Tim has ‘the best therapeutic experience he’s ever had.’ As the Gemini has powered variable height, Shaun is able to help his son at eye level without having to stoop or risk a back injury. These levels of safety and accessibility are a vast improvement on their previous situation.
Tim started discussing accessible baths with his dad early in 2022. He was desperate to replace their standard shower as he would regularly get cold despite the best efforts of Shaun to keep him warm. Making sure Tim was thoroughly clean, whilst sat on a shower chair, was difficult as his dad explains: “When you’re helping someone with Tim’s condition, who doesn’t have much core strength, you can’t pull them forward to wash their back. You hear all the time the number one problem for people with disabilities is bed sores. This can come from not being able to get clean properly. Tim would start shaking especially in the winter when being showered so we needed to sort this out. Also, it was simply not nice for him being manhandled as much and not good for my back. A specialist bath would change all of this.”
Tim and Shaun became aware of Abacus baths through their Worthing Council Grant Officer. He explained to them and the family’s Occupational Therapist, about the many benefits these bathing solutions could provide and the possibility of funding through a DFG. The OT researched the baths and organised for Ryan Wilkes from Abacus to bring his demonstration vehicle to the Hayes’ home. Tim was able to trial a Gemini 2000 and following clinical assessment by the OT, the bath was deemed ideal for his needs. A DFG application was approved, the bath was ordered, and installation took place in November when the bathroom conversion was completed. The family’s time in the bathroom was instantly transformed – bathing was a pleasure and now not a functional chore.
“I’m just happier and more relaxed,” says Tim. “It’s been brilliant being able to relax and have a soak. I’ve wanted a proper bath for many years; it’s just that feeling of luxury I love. My needs weren’t being meant with a standard shower, whereas the Gemini has proven to be the solution. It loosens up my muscles and helps me sleep as I tend to have a bath just before bedtime. Let’s put it this way, my leisure centre has a jacuzzi, but I can’t get in it, whereas now I have my own jacuzzi so it doesn’t matter!”
When Tim is in the bath, Shaun can gently roll him either side for thorough washing and the built-in shower means hair washing is much easier. When bathtime is over, Shaun lowers the bath sides and water level so Tim can be dried on the platform and then hoisted into his powerchair. This process has eliminated any awkward manual lifting and lowering which was previously putting them both at risk.
My needs weren’t being met with a standard shower, whereas the Gemini has proven to be the solution
The backrest provides postural support
The in-built platform provides a safe surface for changing, drying and hoisting
You hear all the time the number one problem for people with disabilities is bed sores – a specialist bath can change all of this
Gemini demonstration
In summary, the Hayes family highlight that the DFG process took considerable time but was thoroughly worth it in the end.
Shaun adds: ”The DFG was a long process but the impact on Tim’s life has been massive. And for me and our carers as well. Abacus were so good, not just with the assessment, but through the whole project from survey to installation. They kept us informed of what was going on and when the builders gave them a date to put the bath in, they did it on that exact day. They made everything easy and accommodated all our requests in the best way. We’ve had no reliability problems since it’s been installed, and the bath has already had its first year’s service.”
As the Hayes family continues to move forward, their home will always remain welcoming and with an open front door. Tim concludes: “I believe every disabled person should be central to the decision-making process. I know budgets have to be looked at, but when you consider how much this bath has improved my quality of life, surely other families in the same situation deserve an Abacus bath. If any other families are unsure and would like a demonstration, they are more than welcome to come round and see how good our bath is.”
The best therapeutic experience he’s ever had
