Swindon-based medical distributor, Vygon UK, is making a heartwarming impact on social inclusion through a generous donation to non-profit company Ben’s Medibear.
This not-for-profit organisation, based in Northern Ireland, creates teddy bears adorned with custom medical devices, aiming to demystify medical procedures and foster acceptance for individuals using aids.
Vygon UK has contributed over 150 medical devices valued at £29,000, including enteral feeding tubes and buttons, to support the production of more Ben’s Medibear teddies. Rather than discarding products at the end of their life, Vygon has chosen to extend their purpose by facilitating the creation of these unique bears.
Ben’s MedibearTM, founded by ‘Bear Surgeon’ Ciara Johnston, relies heavily on medical device donations for its crucial work. According to Ciara, having access to actual medical devices is essential for their educational efforts. The tangible experience with real devices aids in educating people about their utilisation and acceptance, surpassing the impact of knitted or 3D-printed models.
Each Ben’s MedibearTM is crafted to mirror its owner’s uniqueness, featuring adaptations such as scars, tracheostomies, button PEG tubes, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and more.
Ciara’s inspiration for the bears stems from her own experience as a parent of a child with special needs. Faced with the fear and uncertainty that adults often feel towards children with medical devices, Ciara aimed to change perceptions. Placing the devices on teddy bears, which are more approachable and tactile, proved to be an effective way to normalise medical equipment, reduce fears, and enhance understanding of the users’ needs.
Initially designed for parental use, Ben’s Medibear has witnessed increased demand from hospitals, including haematology units, inpatient and daycare facilities, and Paediatric Intensive Care units (PICUs). The bears have become a vital resource, particularly for long-term patients in PICUs where restricted visiting limits family members’ exposure to medical devices.
Mark Chadwick, Business Development Manager at Vygon UK, expressed pride in supporting Ben’s Medibear, acknowledging the significant role the bears play in promoting social inclusion and acceptance. He highlighted the bears’ impact in healthcare settings, providing valuable insights to parents, friends, and family members about the needs of individuals living with medical devices.
For more information about Vygon and its life-saving range of medical devices, visit www.vygon.co.uk.
