by Kathy Wechsler
This is the second article in a series in which people with neuromuscular
diseases tell how theyve created low-cost, homemade devices to help
with daily living.
Do-It-Yourself Tips From Steve Pesto
Madison, Ala.; age 42
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
An engineer, Pestos been designing and building adaptive devices
since his diagnosis in 2001 and is always researching his future needs
and trying to accommodate for them.
Pesto uses several computer programs to help him communicate, an
electric wheelchair for mobility, a BiPAP and cough assist for pulmonary
help, and a feeding tube.
"I am still mentally active and make productive use of my time,"
said Pesto, who shares his ideas with members of his ALS support group.
In-Home Lift System: When researching Hoyer lifts, Pesto found
that they were too expensive, bulky and difficult to use, and hard
to roll on carpet. With his engineering expertise, he set out to design
an in-home lift that could be made of readily available materials.
Pestos father, Bill, built a wooden track and mounted it to the
ceiling. He used in-line skate wheels to roll the lift along the track,
and powered the carriage with a purchased hoist motor. The harness,
composed of a seat from a swing, is attached to the hoist.
Pesto, whos made improvements to the lift, says its extremely safe
and easy to use in helping him transfer from wheelchair to bed, with
some light assistance from his wife. Spending a little over $300 on
his lift, Pesto saved more than $9,500.
Handy Hints From Mel Nowland
Oklahoma City; age 70
rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
Nowland began making devices more than 40 years ago to help his wife,
Vera, who also has rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes uses a wheelchair.
Although Nowland doesnt have a neuromuscular disease, hes been involved
with MDA for 18 years, making accessible games for kids at MDA summer
camp.
A former associate engineer for AT&T, Nowland also makes assisted
living items and gives them away through an organization called PALS
(Practical Assisted Living Services).
Switches: A believer in low-tech solutions, Nowland has made
many types of electrical switches for people who have limited mobility,
using easily found materials such as soap dishes and Tupperware. Hes
built eye-blink, two-handed, voice-operated and pillow switches.
Knob Turners: He found an innovative way to make stove knobs
easier and safer to operate. He cut a slot in a piece of 1 1/4-inch
round molding, enabling it to go over the protrusion of the knob.
He attached a 1/4-inch round dowel rod, about 1 1/2 inches long, then
made a T-shaped handle with 1/2-inch dowel.
Crutch Holder: To make his wifes crutches handy from her
wheelchair, Nowland mounted a loaf pan to the bottom of the chair
with electrical brackets. He added Velcro straps to fasten the crutches
in the pan so Vera can carry them with her.
Innovative Inventions From John Harr
Hamilton, Mont.; age 63
limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
With an interest in mechanics, Harr started Jacks Small Engine Service
in 1979. He continues to design devices for himself and other people
with disabilities.
Elevator: When it became difficult for him to climb the back
porch stairs, Harr decided to construct a solution. He bolted two
metal sliding uprights to the concrete floor of the porch and anchored
them to the underside of the roof overhang.
The actual elevator is built of square tubing with a platform to
stand on. He put a screen on the elevator floor to give it a nonslip
surface. He wired in a switch and attached a safety gate. The elevator
is powered by a 110-volt cable winch.
Power Step: Having a hard time getting into his small camper,
Harr figured out a way to make a powered step to lift him. First he
built a framework of square tubing and hinged it on the side of the
camper. He built a removable step of smaller square tubing. He designed
the mechanism and welded it together, and a friend installed it. The
power step is powered by a 12-volt cable winch.
CONTRIBUTE YOUR IDEAS
Quest will continue sharing ideas for homemade ways to make life
easier for people with neuromuscular diseases.
Please send your ideas and photos of your do-it-yourself devices
to Quest, MDA, 3300 Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718, or publications@mdausa.org.
Be sure to include a phone number or e-mail address, as well as your
name, age, city and diagnosis.
