Chaily headrest – roller coaster review

I started wearing my new head rest from RMS in Kent.

Quick review: The headrest was developed to stop head roll under a standard headrest (i.e. rolling off the side and getting stuck underneath which can be dangerous, especially in a vehicle).

We had a proper fitting and then my husband fitted it once ordered. You do have to get it in the right place – it’s meant to rest your orbital bone on at the back of the neck which is why it feels a bit different when leaning on it. It took quite a long time to tweak but we probably could have got it fitted by the rep again.

The padded head rest is a log shape and has two arms which are adjustable and can be brought down when needed (they just swivel and stop at a position you choose). The arms rest over the shoulder, along the jaw line and stop my head banging around from side to side when on bumpy terrain or going round corners in the car.

I do a good impression of an ant when going about daily life with my new antenna !! It’s asking for two fluffy pompoms to balance on top.

It cost over £400 and although my wheelchair clinic had heard of it, it wasn’t on their catalogue so it had to be a private purchase. I heard that in our area, they make people with MD use a collar before going in any local authority funded transport which is the cheaper option but carries with it problems with breathing and being so rigid that you can’t move at all or look out of the window. This head rest means you can still move a bit, doesn’t restrict breathing and can be put on and off in two seconds (and is always with you). It’s a small price to pay for greater independence, ease of use and freedom it gives – well in my opinion!

I’m not sure how comfortable it would be on a high tilt in space recline but I found that if you fiddle with the position it made a big difference in terms of comfort (I had it too low down and into my neck at first). It is also worth noting that because it sits lower we had to chop of the top of my back cushion if the back cushion comes up above the shoulders.

My vent bits and pieces still fit fine and keep out the way. The big test will be weaving down country roads and going round roundabouts or over cobbles! So far though, so good. Really good idea.