Katie Michaels, a graduate of industrial design from Loughborough University, always had a deep love for working with children, especially those with special needs.
But it wasn’t until her young cousin was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy that her world, and her work, truly shifted, prompting the birth of an innovative, life- changing product, and a company called ‘Moti Me’.
Picture: Katie Michaels
“When my cousin was diagnosed, I spent countless hours with him and his family. It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle with basic milestones like sitting, standing, and walking,” she recalls. “The daily physiotherapy he needed was overwhelming — and I realised there was nothing out there to make it fun or engaging for him.”
This personal experience sparked a powerful drive in Katie to create something that could transform the way children with developmental delays experience physiotherapy.
“I knew there had to be a way to make physiotherapy more enjoyable. Not just for my cousin, but for every child going through the same challenges,” she says. This moment of inspiration led Katie to design a product as part of her university project — one that could combine therapy with play, helping children achieve their physical milestones with joy rather than frustration.
The device she envisioned is anything but a typical medical tool. “It needed to look like a toy, something that would capture the child’s attention and make them excited to use it,” explains the designer.
“The device lights up, plays sensory sounds, and features rainbow-coloured lights—all designed to engage and motivate children as they complete their exercises. It connects to a mobile app that tracks progress, allowing parents and physiotherapists to celebrate even the smallest achievements. “Parents can see how much progress their child has made, which is so empowering for both them and the child,” she adds, her voice filled with passion.
The device is specifically for children with developmental delays—those with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, and more. Katie’s mission is simple yet profound:
“ I want to help these children reach their full potential, and I want to do it ”in a way that feels like play, not a chore.“
After extensive testing with over 100 children in 30 organisations across the UK, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Katie’s eyes light up as she shares a touching moment from one of the case studies. “At Alder Hey Hospital, they found that a child with Cerebral Palsy showed significant improvement in flexibility,” she says.
“Seeing that kind of impact, knowing that the device is actually making a difference — it’s beyond words.”
But the journey has been far from easy. After initially balancing part-time work on the project with a full-time job, Katie took a leap of faith two years ago to focus entirely on her dream. “I invested everything I had into it. I had to take risks, I had no guarantee it would work, but I couldn’t walk away from it,” Katie tells Pukaar. That leap led her to secure crucial funding from Innovate UK, a lifeline that allowed her to keep going. “I honestly don’t think we’d be where we are today without that support,” she admits.
Recently, Katie received a £75,000 grant from ‘UK Women in Innovation’, a validation of her hard work and a reminder of the power of perseverance. “It’s been such a challenge, but when you see the joy on a child’s face or hear the feedback from parents, you know it’s all worth it,” she says.
Picture: Katie Michaels
Katie is now preparing to begin manufacturing by the end of the year, with the hope of having the device available by Christmas. Because the patent for the product is currently pending, she is unable to share photographs of what it actually looks like. However, 30 different prototypes have been created and tested. She is looking forward to the moment she finally has it in her hands, and in the hands of the children whose lives it’s bound to change.
“This is just the beginning,” she says with determination. “Every day I’m reminded why I started this — to make a real difference in the lives of children and families.”
For Katie, this journey is more than a business—it’s a personal mission to turn the struggles of children into triumphs, one joyful milestone at a time.
