Gemini 2000 bath delivers ‘out of this world’ inclusive bathing for 3-year-old Aurora

Aurora is a beautiful 3-year-old who has complex disabilities and is a full-time wheelchair user. She has several conditions including semilobar holoprosencephaly which affects her mobility and cognitive abilities. Holly is also her full-time carer and up until owning a Gemini 2000 bath, was struggling with bathtime. Manually lifting and lowering Aurora was becoming increasingly unsafe for both of them, especially as Aurora gets larger and heavier. The family needed a sustainable solution so discussed their needs with the family’s Occupational Therapist (OT). Aurora’s parents did not want an accessible shower or wet room as they felt bathing was essential for therapy and pleasure. Holly began researching possible bathing solutions online and discovered Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions – they manufacture the Gemini 2000 power-assisted bath which became the Powell’s ideal answer.

Challenging times

Holly, an ex SEN teacher, begins their story: “It was becoming impossible to meet Aurora’s personal care needs, especially in the bathroom. So, we spoke to a council OT in 2023 about how we could go about adapting our home. We decided in the end to get plans drawn up ourselves for the house to be extended so an accessible bathroom could be accommodated. We got planning permission in November 2024 and started the build in March 2025. We were lucky enough to get partial funding from a Disabled Facilities Grant. This meant we could meet all the needs of our three children – aged 13, three-and-a-half and six-months-old. An accessible bath was to be pivotal to the bathroom being a success.”

“We then had conversations with the OT about what would be suitable. Aurora has always loved bathing, so we decided against a shower. Dan and I think all kids should be able to enjoy a bath. I came across Abacus and said we’d like a bath from them. So, our OT arranged for Abacus to come out to see us. Ryan Wilkes came to do an assessment and came back a second time with a demonstration van that had baths in the back. The OT wanted to see the Gemini 2000 to check she was satisfied with the extra safety and support it provided – she was very impressed. The Gemini could be raised and lowered and had a built-in platform for changing and drying. We liked this as Aurora has seizures so we could get her out of the water quickly if needed.”

“Our old bath was a very narrow cast iron one with a shower screen. It was quite a small space and as Aurora has low tone, it was really difficult to support her, especially when lifting her out as she was wet and slippery. We were worried about the corners on it being a risk as well. When she was tiny, it was doable. However, as she has got bigger and is now the size of a six-year-old, it was simply unsafe. We had to take her to a Luton hospice for a bath. The bathing facilities were ok there but they were booked up a lot, so sometimes our daughter would go for weeks without a bath. The Gemini has changed all of this.”

Gemini 2000 bath

The Gemini 2000 is longer, wider and deeper than a standard bath with an integrated platform for easier, safer bathing to meet with bather and carer requirements. This future-proof solution delivers a comfortable and engaging experience for larger children, teenagers and adults. This bath remains one of the most popular choices nationwide through the following unique features: 

• Dual lift functionality so carers can assist without the risk of back injury
• Adaptable bathing space with moveable foot and back dividers
• Additional lifting safety with integrated anti-entrapment sensor
• BioCote antimicrobial protection  
• Available with a range of taps and shower units, LED lighting, Bluetooth sound system and Air Spa options

Outstanding features

The Gemini 2000 has a unique design – it is the only hi-lo bath that has dual lift technology. This means the bather is gently submerged in temperature-controlled water as the bath raises around the platform; they are not lowered. The whole bath can then be lifted for bather-carer eye level engagement and so that the provision of personal care is easier and safer. In terms of the features that stand out for Holly, she says: “The platform is brilliant as it raises up so we can use it like a changing table. Previously we were having to dry and change Aurora on the couch or on the floor which was not ideal especially when we had visitors. Now it’s completely different as we can meet all her personal care needs. The fact that the bath moves up and down means both of us can care for Aurora without straining our backs. Dan is 6’ 2’’ so there is quite a height difference between us but that doesn’t matter now. If the bath didn’t do this, it might be great for one person but not for someone else. The shower attachment is also great as it is powerful and built into the bath; there is nothing worse than those showers that are just a trickle. It’s like a proper power shower. Also the bath has a safety feature on it that limits the water to 40-degrees which gives us peace of mind. We like the size of it as Aurora is going to be tall so will still be able to enjoy lying down in the bath when she is older.”