By MICHAEL HEUSNER
The executive director of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County on Tuesday unveiled a new device intended to help disabled children walk.
Diane Berger the director of the UCPN learning center showed reporters the Upsee, at a press conference for the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged.
The Upsee is a harness-like device that allows a child to be strapped to the front of an adult and simulate walking. According to Berger the contraption had allowed children who had never walked before to take their first steps.
The device was demonstrated with several children and their adult operators, who took several laps around a crowded auditorium. Several child athletes competing in the Games for the Physically challenged planned to use the Upsee in competitions.
Berger also announced that the Learning center would host a ballet recital, and a baseball league featuring students using the Upsee.
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano thanked manycorporate sponsors who helped fund the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged, with the largest donation coming from the owners of the Property Tax Reduction Consultants, who contributed $30,000. Mangano also thanked the NICE bus system for shuttling athletes for free, as well as Nassau Community College who allowed its facilities to be used for the games, and Hofstra university for housing athletes from around the state.
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