The Roosevelt has been at a number of conferences and shows over the last few years, including the Lifesavers conference we just attended. It doesn’t get a lot of publicity, because it’s a rather expensive model intended for special health care needs. It does, however, have some more mainstream applications. For example, it has an upper weight limit of 115 pounds, maximum height of 62 inches and a top harness slot of over 22″. That alone makes it one of the only options for older kids in the top few percentiles of weight or height who may not be ready for a booster or seatbelt.
Special needs child restraints serve a very important purpose, from preemies to teenagers who can’t use a conventional carseat for any of a number of reasons. Just as there are specialty seats for this purpose, there are many specially certified technicians who have taken an extra course to be familiar with these issues. Working with you, your child and their physician or therapist, a special needs tech can help create a personalized transportation plan.
Do you have a child with special health care needs and have questions on what to do when transporting them in your vehicle? Our discussion forums at Car-Seat.Org now have a special forum for this purpose (and also for issues involving alternative transportation like school buses and aircraft). It is monitored by around a dozen certified technicians who have taken the special needs transportation course. The forum is overseen by a course instructor who works with special health care needs patients in a hospital setting. Please feel free to browse or ask a question! No registration is required, though questions from unregistered guests may take some time before they are approved and appear to the public.
What’s the lifespan of the Roosevelt? (IOW, how long before it expires from DOM?)
I’m currently trying to get the Roosevelt for my 10yr old nephew who is outgrowing his Regent. His has significant brain damage/developmental delays and really responds well to being in a 5pt harness and it’s great that the vehicle doesn’t need to be modified (since you can use the ez tether). Now to see if insurance/medicaid will pay for it! Thanks for starting the special needs forum as I am on a Yahoo list for Parents of Severely Disabled Kids and there are a decent amount of cps questions, I’m glad to have somewhere to refer them to!
The shoulder belt acts as a tether, when using long belt path. I love this seat. Very simple to use.
I heard at Lifesavers that you can get the Roosevelt from the manufacturer at wholesale cost–much cheaper than retail. Might be worth a call to them if the seat is needed.
I’ve also had the chance to get some hands on a Roosevelt (presented by its creator at an update class), and was very impressed with it! Glad to know it’s out there when needed.
I’ve played with the Roosevelt and it’s a really impressive seat. Also, the special needs forum is a fantastic idea. We’re very fortunate to have so many CPS technicians with special needs training here at car-seat.org.
I’m excited about the new special needs forum at C-S.org!
I had the opportunity impressed with a Roosevelt recently, and was very impressed with it overall. It was not difficult to install (in a 99 Honda Odyssey, middle row captain’s chair and third row outboard), especially compared to the similarly designed Britax Regent. It was roomy, seemed comfortable, and the 10 year old using it still has loads of growing room.