Turning Therapy into Play: New Invention Helps Children with Cerebral Palsy Reach Milestones

For many families raising a child with cerebral palsy, the daily demands of physical therapy can be relentless—repetitive, exhausting, and at times, disheartening. But what if physio didn’t feel like therapy at all? What if it felt like fun?

That question sits at the heart of Moti Me, a vibrant new physiotherapy tool designed to spark joy while building strength and mobility. Developed by 27-year-old industrial designer Katie Michaels, Moti Me merges colorful lights, interactive games, and animal characters into a playful experience that motivates kids to stretch, crawl, walk, and reach—all while feeling like they’re simply having a good time.

“The whole point is to encourage children to practice their movement, their physiotherapy and their stretches,” Michaels explains. “It engages with them, it makes it really fun. They don’t realize they’re practicing their exercises and it helps them to achieve their developmental milestones.”

Moti Me was born from something deeply personal. When a young family member was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Michaels quickly saw just how much physical therapy was required—day in and day out—just for him to hit basic milestones.

“I very quickly came to realize how much physiotherapy he had to do every single day to achieve his developmental milestones,” she says. “There wasn’t really much out there to help him with that and we really struggled finding products for him, so that’s what inspired me to build Moti Me.”

Now based at Loughborough University in the U.K., where she earned her degree in Industrial Design and Technology, Michaels has spent the last few years refining her invention and putting it to the test in the real world. She partnered with Ashmount School in Loughborough—an institution for students with special education needs—where children have been trying out early prototypes and offering feedback. 

That process, Michaels says, has been essential not just for product development, but for staying grounded in the needs of children who would actually use it. And the response? Overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

Chloe, a student with cerebral palsy, shared: “Playing games using Moti Me with my younger friends has been great fun.” Another student, Billy, chimed in: “It’s so much fun - my favorite animal is the giraffe.”

The appeal isn’t just in the characters or the lights. It’s in what the product represents: a shift in how we think about therapy for children with movement disabilities. Traditional physio routines can feel monotonous—especially for kids. But when therapy feels like a game, something changes. Children want to engage, they want to move. And that, says Ashmount headteacher Abi Steady, is the real game changer.

“Devices like this can make a real difference,” she explains. “Because our young people have to practice the same physio exercises over and over again. It can be really dull and actually quite uncomfortable at times, so making it a bit more fun is really great.”

Each Moti Me device connects to an app that offers over 60 different games designed to support specific movements—whether it’s helping a child work on sitting up independently, building strength to stand, or refining coordination while crawling or walking. It’s highly customizable, allowing children to choose their favorite characters, colors, and challenges.

For parents of children with cerebral palsy, Moti Me offers something more than fun—it offers hope, autonomy, and a new kind of partnership between families and innovation. It’s an example of how design, when done thoughtfully, can truly improve lives. And importantly, Moti Me isn’t being developed in a vacuum—it’s being built with the very children and families it hopes to serve.

To ensure accessibility and real-world feedback, Michaels and her company MoTime Family are offering families of children with movement disabilities the opportunity to try early versions of the product for free. This prototype testing program allows parents and therapists to offer input, shaping the device’s final design while giving their children a meaningful and exciting new therapy option—at no cost.

Looking ahead, Michaels plans to roll out Moti Me for use in schools, clinics, and homes by the end of 2025. With its mix of joy and utility, the device is already drawing attention beyond the design world: earlier this year, Michaels was named a 2025 Women in Innovation Award winner—a recognition that speaks to both the creativity of her concept and the impact it’s already beginning to have.

For parents navigating the day-to-day challenges of cerebral palsy, tools like Moti Me offer more than innovation. They offer connection, empowerment—and a rare moment when therapy time becomes playtime.

Want to Get Involved?

Families interested in trying Moti Me or participating in the prototype feedback program can learn more at www.motimefamily.com. Spots for early access are limited.

Sources:

Anderson, E. Children help develop 'fun' new physio aid. BBC News. (June 23, 2025). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9jr8ywm1o

Moti me product information. (June 23, 2025). Retrieved from https://www.motimefamily.com