By: Muneera and Kathy
A – Low Tech & Adapting our World
Student Profile: (Female Age: 39)
The primary user had a career in the printing industry, was an athlete playing sports at national competitions and also she had a young son, then she was burned in a major fire on her 30 foot boat; first responders were horrified at the sight of a human candle, totally engulfed in flames. We have chosen her because this fire changed her life, leaving her with several physical limitations, not to mention that 75 percent of her body has third degree burns. As a result of the fire she lost her job, unable to work in her field, had to apply for disability (which is significantly less than what she would earn) and no longer has the full use of her hands. The digits have been rebuilt, unfortunately due to the damaged skin the digits have now begun to close, limiting her ability to pick up or hold things.
Most everything else has been repaired through many operations, other than the shrinking of the skin around her mouth, making it very difficult for her to open her mouth, affecting her speech. I guess initially we do not stop and think about what we take for granted but it can be the simplest of things that hinder her performance. She was now facing limited options for her ongoing life, not able to drive a car, play sports and enjoy the hobbies and past times of her previous life; well she has been able to find low tech solutions that enable her to live a full and meaningful life. The deformity in the hands prevent the simple things, like holding a hot cup of tea or coffee, picking up coin that she drops, lighting the BBQ, and playing golf.
Fortunately, she did not listen to her doctors and so found herself, modifying the grips on her golf clubs, is a matter of interest took up golf after the accident and has won several women's titles. She always wanted a motor cycle and now owns and drives one, she did have to have special handle bar grips made to support her disability. Fundamentally we will look at ways to adapt and modify holders for her grip which will support her when she needs to hold or pick up something.
Task A:
Description of the main low tech assistive technology: - (Magnetic extension rod)
It is an extension rod with a magnet head on the end that will help her to pick up any metal objects such as change, keys, hardware, lids from cans and clothes hangers etc., allowing her to have a grasp, that otherwise is not there, also she can interchange this magnetic tool for the pick up grabber that has grabbers on the end.
The environment (Milieu):
This extension rod and all the other items could be used in different environments to serve the same purposes. To mention some of those environments, it could be used at home, the park, in the community, as well as during recreational time. There are other low tech devices that she must use to support her day to day living other than the magnetic extension rod.
- Cup holders with handles for holding drinks
- Plastic/aluminum grabber with hand like ends to pick up shoes, food, garbage, etc
- Binders clips to help in turning pages of books
- Rubber Stamps for easier printing/writng
- Fitness ball (small) that would help for relaxation and strengthening her hand muscles
- Specialized handle grips, modifications for her golf club, specialized gloves, motor cycle
- Reading glasses, magnifying glasses
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