Amateur inventors empower disabled loved ones
The local chapter of Handicap International has rewarded inventions that improve the daily lives of people with disabilities
From the heart
So the 12-year-old girl, who lives in Nijlen, Antwerp province, did what few other kids would do: She designed a book stand that makes it easier for her grandmother to read.
For her invention, Nette (pictured right) received the public prize in the Design with a Heart contest, organised by the Belgian chapter of the non-profit Handicap International. As part of the annual event, the organisation recognises amateur inventors who come up with tools designed to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Like Nette, the three other laureates this year were inspired by the need to help their relatives or partners. Among the winners was also a team from the West Flanders University College (HoWest).
Keeping it simple
It’s the 13th time the local chapter of Handicap International has organised the contest that promotes non-commercial innovations for people with disabilities. The competition is aimed at caregivers, including occupational therapists and schools.
“While we have noticed that there are many products on the market for people with disabilities, they often don’t meet the individual needs of each person and can be very expensive,” says Nicole Luyckx, who co-ordinates the contest.
While there are many tools on the market for people with disabilities, they often don’t meet the individual needs of each person
Design with a Heart provides the amateur inventions with increased visibility, and Handicap International serves as a contact point for people who feel they could benefit from them.
The jury awarded laureates in four categories: ergonomics, user-friendliness, design and schools. For the first time, the public could also vote for their favourite inventions, through the website. The prize went to Nette, who came up with the book stand for a classroom assignment.
“I had to design a tool that would make someone else’s life easier, and I immediately thought of my grandmother,” says Nette. “She likes to read a lot, but it had become very tiring and complicated for her because of her physical disability.”
Nette asked her grandmother’s advice on what would help her the most and designed the concept, while her father helped her craft the book support out of wood. Her grandfather had already made a stick for his wife to help her type, and she now uses it to turn the book pages.
Taking control
Frank Genar, from Hove, Antwerp province, won in the user-friendliness category. Like Nette’s grandmother, Genar’s wife is partly paralysed and uses a wheelchair, but she faces a different challenge.
“Ingrid became paralysed in an accident a few years ago,” says Genar. “But she can still stand up, and it’s essential for her to do so on a regular basis to improve her physical condition.”
Now she can get up from her wheelchair and, for example, take her coast from a hanger
Getting up from a wheelchair, however, is difficult because of the rigid plate that supports her feet. To make it easier for his wife to stand up, Genar replaced the footplate with one that can be folded out of the way easily by pulling on two strings.
“I would always have to first help her onto a regular chair, from which she could then stand up on her own,” says Genar. “Now, she can get up from the wheelchair and, for example, take her coat from a hanger.”
Thanks to the increased mobility and sense of independence, he adds, his wife’s physical condition has improved and she’s regained some of her confidence.
Confetti maker
Gilles Deleu from Kortrijk won in the school category. While studying occupational therapy at HoWest, he spent his final academic year working with two others students on a special wheelchair mat for the 64-year-old Marc Detremmerie, who’s been using a wheelchair for most of his life.
“After a shower, the tyres on Marc’s wheelchair would always leave marks all over the house,” says Deleu. “We developed a platform with rotating tubes covered in textile, on which he could easily dry them.” The platform can also serve as a doormat, to dry the wheels during rainy weather.
The other two winners are David Delabassée, from Tournai, in the design category and Olivier Demoulin, from Namur, in ergonomics, who came up with inventions for their children.
Delabassée developed a confetti machine for his nine-year-old daughter Lylou, who has a neuromuscular condition, so she can celebrate carnival like other children. Demoulin made portable and adjustable bedside rails for his 10-year-old son Gilles, who has both a mental and physical disability. Though Gilles has an adjustable bed at home, on holidays he risked falling out of bed. The new tool prevents that.
In addition to the awards, all winners received a voucher worth €500 to shop at home improvement chain Brico.
Photo: Olivier Papegnies
