Twelve years later
I’m an occupational therapist doing a 12-week internship at Adaptive Design. From the start, I was excited, but nervous; I had never had formal training in building. I just loved the idea of creating custom equipment for students at iHOPE, the school where I work. I wanted to make a rocking chair for Marco, a student who loves classical music and movement. A rocking chair would offer him movement, but the thought of building it was daunting. How could I even figure out the arc of the rockers? I began Googling, but then Adam showed me a template ADA uses to create the right arc. With the ball rolling, Adam, Danielle -- our OT student – and I we were able to produce a rocker that was just right for Marco – I hoped. We took it to iHope and were thrilled when it fit him – and even rocked! While we rejoiced, Maybelline, Marco’s paraprofessional, excitedly sent a picture of him in the rocker to his family. They loved it! They asked where the rocker had been made. When she heard it came from Adaptive Design, Marco’s mother told us that he’d had an ADA chair made when he was only 1 (he’s 13 now). At my request, she agreed to send pictures of Marco in his old chair.
It was heartwarming to see a baby Marco in his chair made by ADA. He’d had difficulties grasping and visually tracking objects, which can come from inappropriate seating. The family tried various items to help position him but to no avail. Marco’s Vision Therapist, Tom, told them about ADA. That first chair “allowed him to work on sitting, have good posture, play with his toys on his tray, and focus during ‘work time’,” said Marco’s mother. When Marco eventually grew out of the chair, the family donated it to another child who could benefit.
Twelve years later, Marco has another item from ADA, the beautiful rocker we made, painted yellow and blue with hints of texture. (It reminded me of a Minion!) I delivered the finished rocker last week, and he really enjoyed it right away--as did Maybelline. When we walked past Marco’s classroom and saw him rocking away, surrounded by his classmates, I knew all the hard work had been worthwhile.
About the Author
Megan Goth is an occupational therapist doing a 12-week internship at Adaptive Design. She has never had formal training in building, but loves the idea of making custom equipment for her students at iHOPE, the school where she works.