EVENTS/

SESOBEL has held this first symposium under the auspices of the Minister of Social Affairs M. Rachid Derbas. Organized by SESOBEL in partnership with the Harika and Ottobock Center, the symposium was held on may 29-30 at Saint Joseph University of Beirut. User, retailer, and manufacturer of adapted materials. This symposium wished to gather a large number of health professionals, doctors, therapists, specialized manufacturers, leaders of medical NGOs dealing with disabilities, universities for the purpose of research but also retailers and third party sellers in order to deliver first-hand information to continue improving techniques and expertise. 
The symposium was an opportunity for the Harika Center, an agent of Ottobock in Lebanon to present the new CAD-CAM technology (Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Manufacture) allowing the child’s exact measurements to be entered into a computer then transmitting that data to the iodine machine which molds and tailors it precisely. 
For every person positioning is fundamental, but even more for people with reduced mobility who spend their whole day sitting in a wheelchair. 
The person with reduced mobility lacks position control. Their seated position is often characterized by an incorrect and unstable alignment that causes in the long term orthopedic deformities that can be painful and irreversible, bedsores, breathing and nutrition problems. 
If poorly positioned, the child will not be able to learn, because verticality allows more functionality of the upper members. The child can develop coping mechanisms to overcome poor positioning and complete his activities, but that can result in other kinds of pain, spasm and degeneration. This also affect people arround him, trying to cope with none functional techniques. Carrying a heavy child is not a viable long term option, and without adaptable seating, the physically disabled child or adult cannot leave home which reduces their social relationships.

With limited financial means in the 80’s, SESOBEL was working on seating with what they had available. We have worked on the positioning in a craftsman manner, arranging wooden and metal pieces till we find the expected results. Now we feel it is important to provide adapted and comfortable seats for our children with material that conforms to international standards. 

In order to conform positioning to these specifications, seating has to be personalized, solid, and stable to ensure security. It should be functional, light, easy to use and comfortable. Whether crafted or purchased, it should be adapted following specific measurments. 
In Lebanon, the material needed for good positioning is expensive and any financial coverage, whenever it does exist, only covers a part of the fees without taking into consideration the new standards. 

This symposium which was the first of its kind in Lebanon, has raised awareness of the importance of proper positioning, but also allowed professionals to share experiences, insights, and ideas to provide a better quality of life for those with disabilities.