Noah, aged 13, from North Yorkshire lives with a rare neurological condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia, which means that his Cerebellum is underdeveloped. The Cerebellum is responsible for every aspect of movement and plays a key role in balance and co-ordination.

Noah’s condition impacts upon all aspects of his daily life. He uses a walker to mobilise and has significant communication difficulties. Performing fine motor tasks that require precision, such as managing personal care, is especially difficult for him.

To support his needs, Noah’s home has been adapted with a ground floor wet room with specialist equipment and recently this included the addition of a Closomat Wash and Dry Toilet, installed through a Disability Facilities Grant.

For Noah and his family, the toilet has become an essential part of daily life, helping to support his independence and protect his dignity.

As his mum Catherine explains:

The Closomat has been a game changer for Noah who is a young man striving for independence.

Before the Closomat

Before the installation, toileting was one of the most difficult and embarrassing parts of Noah’s daily routine.

His previous toilet was too low and unsuitable for his needs. Due to a combination of mobility issues and a knee condition, Noah often struggled to bear weight and his mum was often required to physically lift him onto and off the toilet. This was not only difficult for Noah, but also caused ongoing physical strain for his mum.

Catherine adds:

As a parent, having the Closomat has also taken a huge physical strain off me. I was having to lift him, which just wasn’t sustainable. I honestly don’t know how we managed without it. It’s made a massive difference to all our lives.

Maintaining personal hygiene independently was not possible. Because of his hand tremor and coordination difficulties, wiping presented a significant challenge. As Noah got older, this increasing reliance on others for such an intimate task raised concerns around privacy, dignity and confidence.

Installation and Adaptation

The Closomat Wash and Dry Toilet was installed as part of Noah’s home adaptations, but finding the right setup required careful consideration.

Several control options were trialled to ensure Noah could use the toilet safely and independently. Due to his balance and coordination challenges, standard controls proved difficult and in some cases, unsafe. After exploring different solutions, an infrared control system was installed, allowing Noah to activate the toilet with a simple hand movement.

Additional features, including a padded seat for comfort and support rails for stability, further enhanced usability. Together, these adaptations created a setup tailored specifically to Noah’s needs.

The Closomat itself is amazing. It’s really sturdy and with the addition of the grab rails and padded seat, it’s been configured perfectly to support Noah’s balance and coordination needs, especially as he can sometimes drop down heavily. Catherine added.

The Impact

The difference the Closomat has made has been profound.

Noah is now able to access the bathroom using his walker and use the toilet largely independently. The wash and dry function supports his hygiene effectively, significantly reducing the need for assistance.

This has led to meaningful improvements in several areas:

  • Independence: Noah can manage toileting on his own
  • Confidence: He feels more capable and in control
  • Dignity: He has greater privacy, which is especially important as a teenager

Looking Ahead

Following the success at home, Noah’s family is now exploring the possibility of installing a Closomat in his school. Noah attends a local Catholic specialist school full-time, where he is supported with one-to-one assistance. He thrives in this environment, is very active particularly in PE, which is his favourite subject and he has a real passion for watching and playing football. Supported by his parents and siblings, Noah actively takes part in frame football, competing across the UK and regularly attending tournaments, including at St George’s Park.

Testimonial – Catherine

The Closomat has been life-changing for Noah. Before, toileting was a real struggle and he needed help, which became harder as he got older. Now, he can go to the toilet on his own. It’s given him so much independence and confidence and most importantly, it’s given him dignity.

 

The Closomat itself is amazing. It’s really sturdy and with the addition of the grab rails and padded seat, it’s been configured perfectly to support Noah’s balance and coordination needs, especially as he can sometimes drop down heavily.

 

As a parent, it’s also taken a huge physical strain off me. I was having to lift him, which just wasn’t sustainable. I honestly don’t know how we managed without it. It’s made a massive difference to his life.