It’s been MONTHS since my last post, and I’m kicking myself for this! Many apologies to my reader(s) out there…

So, I’m feeling boggled about all this. I’m currently working on finishing up (FINALLY, after 3+ years) my master’s thesis in Gerontology entitled, “Assistive Devices: Medical Necessities AS Lifestyle Accessories,” which reiterates my passion for sassier wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches.

When I started out writing the paper I wholeheartedly felt that a person using a basic, gray or muted black assistive device was more likely to feel awkward, stigmatized and frail. My assumption (and basis for this website) was that a more attractive device, one that could be seen as an extension of the user’s personality, would help to alleviate some/much of the stigma surrounding mobility disabilities in general.

Now, I’m not sure that perhaps I haven’t been barking up the wrong tree. I look at the photo above, and can’t honestly say that a “cooler-looking” wheelchair would make this cute kid any happier or would help him feel “less-disabled.” Or, in that sense, would it have made a whit of difference to FDR?!

I get occasional emails from individuals thanking me for my continuing quest to bring more visually appealing change to a generally appealing-less industry. So, I’ve thought that what I’ve been trying to do has been meaningful. Perhaps, however, most people just don’t give their wheelchair or walker much thought at all, and to assume they want something “better” than what they have is mighty condescending on my part.

What do you think, dear reader(s)? I value your feedback and need to get out of this semi-rut I’m in. Also, I need to finish this thesis and want to tie my hypothesis into a nice, tidy bow before submitting it… ; )

Hope to post a more upbeat message before Christmas, so look for it in the next couple of weeks!

 “It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you…without a dope beat to step to…”

                                                                                                    -Eric B and Rakim

P-NUT ALERT!

This pint-sized peanut of a pumpkin’s name is Stella.  I was recently lucky enough to find some fantastic photos of Stella and her walker taken by her professional photog Mom, (and fellow native Midwesterner), Sarah.  (Check out Sarah’s lovely pictures on flickr:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetiepeatie/ ).  Sarah has graciously given me permission to use photos of little Stella because she agrees that Stella deserves better.  (I have zero photography or photoshop capabilities, so please pardon the grainy nature and poor crop job of the above photo.  I was trying to adjust it so that Stella was larger than life, and obviously failed miserably!  The way-better original photo can be found on Sarah’s flickr page.)

Seriously.  Look at her sweet face and her grin!  Her smiling eyes shine as brightly as the bold colors on her shawl.  Stella is indeed picture-perfect in every way, but her walking aid leaves her looking less “sunny”, and less “able” than she really is!  Stella’s walker should be totally pimped out with bright colors, fun textures, and it should even play music, or light-up or something!  Imagine what her beaming face would look like if she could sport an attention-grabbing, sassier walker.  The possibilities for aesthetic improvement are endless, I say! 

There is no question that Stella is my new, little “mini-muse” in my continued quest to change an entire industry.  Seeing her picture has re-awakened much of the passion that I had lost since I started out with this lofty goal a year or two ago.   I am determined to find more creative ways to access funding for my various projects related to creating more digable devices.  Stella deserves as least as much, don’tcha think?

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Well, y’all–I’m officially back, so check the blog often, and keep an eye out for a new page on this site that I’ll be adding soon. The new page will feature pictures/videos of people, assistive devices, and whatever else I think you’d enjoy visually checking out.  I don’t have a name for the page yet, but I’ll let you know when it’s up, mmmmkay?  (I’m nixing the current ”forum” page, ’cause it gets used so infrequently…)

Missed you all, and I’m stoked about being back with a renewed sense of purpose and vision.  There’s nothing quite like an image of a happy munchkin like little Stella to keep directing me towards my goals and dreams. 

As always, I welcome your comments, questions and whatever else you’d like to share.  It’s good to be back!

Sooooooooooooo…it’s ‘been a long time since my last post–I know, I know! I haven’t been exactly meaning to be so distant, but have just not made it top priority to write here. Also, I know the site needs updating…serious updating, so I’ll try to get in touch with my super-duper webmaster sista, Felicia of Felicia Designs here in Albuquerque; (a link to her site can be found on this site’s “links” page!)

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I cannot believe it took me this long to come across this website, and I feel quite embarrassed about not having found it sooner. In any case, I love the fact that you can search the archives by specialty, i.e. “pediatrics” or “geriatrics” or “rehab,” etc. They don’t have an “aesthetics” section yet, but I’m working on coming up with some ideas so that they will have no choice but to add one soon! Check out their site–you’ll definitely dig it. I found particular interest in this story from 2006 whose study suggests what we all already know–sassying up a medical device is beneficial to the user! The University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM Rocks!) research study found that using cute, colorful needles significantly reduces the level of stress in patients. In fact, UNM professor Dr. Wilmer Sibbitt, Jr. says that “it is likely that decorating a medical device is a neurophysiologic intervention, resulting in stimulation of brain areas NOT usually associated with fear, anxiety and aversion.”

Hallelujah! We know, We know!

http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2006/08/cute_needles_a.html

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In related news, I want to share with you an uber-diggable company that seems to truly understand the important relationship between aesthetics and user response: PediaPals!