GVSU Students Build Mobile Device for Child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) February 19, 2015 -- A group of Grand Valley State University students has created a device that allows a child with type I spinal muscular atrophy to move and be independent. SMA is a genetic muscle disorder that causes extreme weakness and affects 1 in 6,000 births.
The Play and Mobility Device was designed and built to give 16-month-old Lylah Gritter the ability to become mobile by controlling a joystick attached to a device she sits in. Lylah’s mother, Holly Gritter, said her daughter is gaining an independence that she’s never had before.
“She was terrified of the device at first because she’s never been able to control anything,” Holly said, “but you could see it quickly clicking with her and she realized she has this freedom.”
The project is funded through a five-year, $180,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for students and faculty members to create specialized devices for people with disabilities.
“Lylah is very verbal and smart, but has no ability to move herself,” said Lisa Kenyon, associate professor of physical therapy, who, along with a group of students majoring in physical therapy, is working with Lylah to use the device.
Kenyon said the ultimate goal is to help Lylah become qualified to get a power wheelchair, which can start at $10,000. Insurance companies require proof that individuals can drive a wheelchair and the Play and Mobility Device is helping Lylah and her family gather proof that she can control a device of her own.
The creators are engineering students Brandon Johnson, Kevin Yahne, Tyler Kramer and Dustin Martin. Yahne said this third and current prototype includes improvements such as easier access for Lylah to control the joystick with her hand, and a longer-lasting battery.
“The group of students has spent a lot of time and hard work on this project,” said Holly. “They’ve done a tremendous job at helping us and really adapting to her disability and understanding what she can and can’t do.”
Another engineering student is beginning work on a device that will support Lylah’s arms, so she can have better use and control of her arms.
Kenyon calls the group the Grand Valley Power Mobility Project. In 2012, she worked with a team of students who built a mobility device for a child with spina bifida.
For more information, contact John Farris, professor of engineering, at farrisj(at)gvsu(dot)edu, or Lisa Kenyon at kenyonli(at)gvsu(dot)edu.
About Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University, one of the 100 largest universities in the nation, attracts more than 25,000 students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Grand Valley is a comprehensive university serving students from all 83 Michigan counties and dozens of other states and foreign countries. Grand Valley offers 85 undergraduate and 34 graduate degree programs from campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids and Holland, and from regional centers in Muskegon, Traverse City and Detroit. The university is dedicated to individual student achievement, going beyond the traditional classroom experience, with research opportunities and business partnerships.
Leah Twilley, Grand Valley State University, http://www.gvsu.edu/gvnow, +1 (616) 331-2221, [email protected]
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