The multi-purpose wheel-chair is a product designed by the Dishma Inc. on 11th September 2009 to further ease mobility and attainment of independence of disabled persons. It was felt by dishma executives and founders of the Regina foundation that absence of a multi-purpose wheel-chair devastatingly stressed out the care-takers and families of the disabled child by having to lift the bulky disabled-persons on and off the original manual wheel-chair.
The wikipedia defines a wheel chair as a mobility device in which the user sits. The current products are specially designed for different tasks like separate one for bathing, separate other for toilet and high mobility for the more incapacitated disabled-person. It would mean the care-giver buying a whole set at an average of $500, which not any one affords -especially considering our resource-limited friends of the southern hemisphere.
Wheel-chair are a variety and of varied prices depending on the quality. Also, available on the market are accessories depending on functionality, for example; transport chairs, bathroom safety products, transfer chairs, shower wheel-chairs etc.
But distributors of the original manual wheel chairs do not make prior inquiries about nature of physical disability, injury or infection-causing disability. They distribute wheel chairs -regardless of how incompatible they were.
This contributes to more comorbid cases -more deformations or defects than it current medical case of disability; the spine-cords and the back-bone get abnormally postured due to incompatibility of wheel-chair -with the shape, comfort needs and size of the disabled person.
And, because care involved having to lift the heavy disabled person on and off of the wheel chair at some point, care takers and most family members experience burn-out syndrome -sometimes leading to rejection and abandonment of the disabled children or persons, so that no one else helps them out to use toilet or bathroom.
As a result, it increases the risk of infection related to poor hygiene and/or improper disposal of waste “products,” and above all, they were left to sit stationary, which -with time affects locomotion in the limbs as arms and limbs rigidity ensues.
Also, so many wheel chairs are distributed out to disabled persons -especially in Africa and Asia -without assessment of the psychological needs, physical defect, weight and to the comfort and ease of the disabled person in using wheel chair products. Existing wheel chairs have unique functions that mean extra spending by families towards fullest mobility of the disabled persons under their care.
We anticipate that the creation of the multi-purpose wheel chair will not only create a big sigh of relief for families and caretakers, but it would also increase and sustain hope of disabled-persons living a more fulfilling and productive life.
They, for example, would be able to roll of the multi-purpose wheel-chair onto the normal sleeping bed, adjust the back-rest to a rest bed when fatigued and confortably sleep -as though on the normal bed.
The multi-purpose wheel-chair would not only help reduce on the time expended on having to switch to different wheel chairs for specific activities, but cost effective, as well. The multi-purpose design would ease the development of the disabled person -mentally, physical: able to do basic self-help ventures as going to bed, toilet, bathroom; being able to change clothes, economic (attend to economic endeavors as selling items, crafts making, for career development and the confidence to try and succeed in all ventures of life), and provide relief to caretakers and families from the stress of physically lifting off and one the disabled person from the wheel chair; and have the disabled person enjoy sustained hope and love from his or her family.
With the three bottom support-seat layers, he or she would be in position to use the top layer for official purposes -as to go to school, make visits, and to socialize or play, while the last layer would have a potty or toilet provision and bathing safety and support seat structured in a way that drains out water as the disabled persons bathes.
Dishma Inc. will make the product as cheap to a common person as possible -as numerous charitable and promotional activities to enable them acquire wheel-chair and access rehabilitation programmes free of charge at least twice a year.
Children are counseled before joining others to school wondering how colleagues would react. They find themselves different from the rest, by the fact that they cannot walk. Part of the orientation is to explain to fellow scholars about his or her disability. This has a strong psychological-burden relieving effect on the part of the disabled-person and care-takers or families concerned.
And, rehabilitation experts could use personalities life former US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt as inspirational figure, who in 1945 used a wheel chair, and at the same time remembered -as one of the strongest presidents in U.S. history -who contracted polio at 39 years.
Power wheel-chair has wheel-chair designed for comfort, easy mobility and even for disabled persons with active lifestyles -more so with a taste for sports. There, also, exists a specialized department for those who want specialized designs, and firms can work around one's requirement in order to bring out the best results
Luckily for children, the wheel chairs that are light, faster and easier to use meant to suit their weight and comfort can be found. A child would use his or her wheel chair smoothly, brake -especially for electronic wheel chairs.
Uganda is one of the beneficiaries. It partners with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations -sending wheel chairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people providing not only the gift of mobility; but of dignity, independence and hope.
The Wheel-chair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities: to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheel-chair to every child, teen and adult in the world -who needs one, but cannot afford one. To the vulnerable community -as disabled people, the Wheel-chair Foundation delivers Hope, Mobility and Independence.
Selecting a wheel-chair depends on age, disability and abilities. Professionals like occupational therapists and physicians make some of the initial decisions of the selection process.
A lot of existing wheel-chair technologies would help fasten the development of the multi-purpose wheel-chair. Much of the old wheel-chair components not indicated here could be used as well, for example, the brakes, tubeless tires and others -which obviously must constitute the new design.
The multi-purpose wheel chair would also help the disabled person pursue physical developmental activities like washing, helping out in the job, brush his or her teeth, arts and crafts, support socialization, attend school with confidence and with far lessened burden to care-takers.
Dishma Inc. and the Regina Foundation shall conduct an on-going research to improve on the products working efficiency of the disabled-person's comfort and ease to use. Project's initial cost estimate has been put at $18,400.
A lot of existing wheel-chair technologies would help fasten the development of the multi-purpose wheel-chair. Much of the old wheel-chair components, not indicated here could be used as well, for example, the brakes and others -which obviously must constitute the new design.
The multi-purpose wheel-chair design would be presented hand-in-hand with an environment-fit design for the disabled-persons, supportive community linkages -as to and from policy makers, or have the design integrated into the usual environment systems of social interaction.
It is not yet known where raw material -as steel, aluminum and leather could be obtained, lack of the right team to take on the project to its end, and above all; considerable amount of money will be needed to oversee the implementation of the project -yet no funding institution has been identified to cater for the emerging financial challenges.
However, there are possibilities of striking partnership with existing research agencies that could be honest enough to protect the copyright reserved only for dishma inc., as well as making use of the local artisan community in Katwe, Uganda.
And, it is all hopes, through prayer that the financial challenges will be overcome. We could see friends and well-wishers rise up to that occasion and, also, some research has to be made on potential sources of cheap raw materials stated above for swift project implementation.
Showing posts with label HEALTH PROJECTS MANAGEMENT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HEALTH PROJECTS MANAGEMENT. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2009
THE MULTI-PURPOSE WHEEL-CHAIR DESIGN...
THE
MULTI-PURPOSE WHEEL-CHAIR PROJECT
PROPOSED
BY
THE
DISHMA INC.
P.O. BOX 8885, KAMPALA-UGANDA
WWW.SITUATIONHEALTHANALYSIS.BLOGSPOT.COM
WAISWAJACOBO@YAHOO.CO.UK
©2009
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION:
Background
The multi-purpose wheel-chair is a product designed by the Dishma Inc. on 11th September 2009 to further ease mobility and attainment of independence of disabled persons. It was felt by Dishma Executives and founders of the Regina Foundation that absence of a multi-purpose wheel-chair devastatingly stressed out the care-takers and families of the disabled child by having to lift the bulky disabled-persons on and off the original manual wheel-chair.
The wikipedia defines a wheel chair as a mobility device in which the user sits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair, 12th/8/09). But, distributors of the original manual wheel chairs did not make prior inquiries about nature of physical disability, injury or infection-causing disability. They distribute wheel chairs -regardless of how incompatible they were. This contributes to more comorbid cases -more deformations or defects than it current medical case of disability. The spine-cords and the back bone can get abnormally postured due to incompatibility of wheel-chair with the shape, comfort needs and size of the disabled person.
And, because care involved having to lift the heavy disabled person on and off of the wheel chair at some point, care takers and most family members experienced burnt-out syndrome -sometimes leading to rejection and abandonment of the disabled children or persons, so that no one else helps them out to use toilet or bathroom. As a result, it increases the risk of infection related to poor hygiene and/or improper disposal of waste “products,” and above all, they were left to sit stationary, which -with time affects locomotion in the limbs as arms and limbs rigidity ensues.
We anticipate the the creation of the multi-purpose wheel chair will not only create a big sigh of relief for families and caretakers, but it would also increase and sustain hope of disabled-persons living a more fulfilling and productive life. They, for example, would be able to roll of the multi-purpose wheel-chair onto the normal sleeping bed, adjust the back-rest to a rest bed when fatigued and conformably sleep -as though on the normal bed.
With the three bottom support-seat layers, he or she would be in position to use the top layer for official purposes -as to go to school, make visits, and to socialize or play, while the last layer would have a potty or toilet provision and bathing safety and support seat structured in a way that drains out water as the disabled persons bathes.
Dishma Inc. will make the product as cheap to a common person as possible -as numerous charitable and promotional activities to enable them acquire wheel-chair and access rehabilitation programs free of charge at least twice a year. The multi-purpose wheel- chair, also, would help the disabled person pursue are physical developmental activities like washing, helping out in the job, brush his or her teeth, arts and crafts, support socialization, attend school with confidence and with far lessened burden to care-takers. Dishma Inc. shall conduct an on-going research to improve on the products working efficiency of the disabled-person's comfort and ease to use. Project's initial cost estimate has been put at $18,400.
Purpose of the Design:
To design and manufacture disabled persons wheel chairs that are characteristic to humans and supportive to human natural growth and development processes as well as rehabilitation efforts.
Specific Objectives:
To create hope and sustain it in the lives of the disabled persons so that they can think more positively about the future for self-advancement
To transform disabled persons into more productive and responsible members of the global community -socially, politically, economically and spiritually
To prevent accelerated deformities due to wrong wheel chair prescription, lack of qualified consultants and inappropriate wheel chair designs
To ease families and care-takers of stress having to face the burden of lifting disabled persons on and off their wheel-chairs
The scope:
The multi-purpose wheel chair would constitute; a back-rest -also adjustable to a resting bed, triple bottom seater -one cushioned for formal use as to visit, go to school; draining seater for bathing and potty shelf seater -for use above toilet or latrines; side-by-side balcony for rolling off the wheel-chair to the bed or to normal chairs; front dining and study table; adjustable legs and foot-rests; tubeless tires. Original technologies of motorized and electric types could be integrated as well as the varied weight and size compatibility wheel-chairs.
Significance of the Multi-purpose Wheel Chair Design:
The multi-purpose design would ease the development of the disabled person -mentally, physical, (able to do basic self-help ventures as going to bed, toilet, bathroom, being able to change clothes, economic (attend to economic endeavors as selling items, crafts making, for career development and the confidence to try and succeed in all ventures of life), and relief caretakers and families from the stress of physically lifting off and one the disabled person from the wheel-chair, and have the disabled person enjoy sustained hope and love from his or her family.
The Current Problem:
So many wheel chairs are distributed out to disabled persons -especially in Africa and Asia -without assessment of the psychological needs, physical defect, weight and to the comfort and ease of the disabled person in using wheel chair products.
Existing wheel-chairs have unique functions that mean extra spending by families towards fullest mobility of the disabled persons under their care. The multi-purpose wheel-chair would not only help reduce on the time expended on having to switch to different wheel chairs for specific activities, but cost effective, as well.
CHAPTER TWO:
THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVIEW
The current products are specially designed for different tasks like separate one for bathing, separate other for toilet and high mobility for the more incapacitated disabled-person. It would mean the care-giver buying a whole set at an average of $500, which not any one affords -especially our resource-limited friends of the southern hemisphere.
Depending on affordability, there exists the manual and the automated wheel-chairs ( http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009). They are used by people, for whom walking is difficult dues to sickness or injury. They where first introduced in China in the 6th century and later in Europe (http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009).
Some Existing Wheel-chair Designs Today
Fig. 1: Manual Wheel-chair $99 -most in use.
Fig. 2: Mobility scooters
Fig. 3: Power Wheel-chair
Source: www.wheelchairdepot.com
Wheel-chair are a variety and of varied prices depending on the quality. Also available on the market are accessories depending on functionality, for example; transport chairs, bathroom safety products, transfer chairs, shower wheel-chairs etc.
Fig. 1: Transport Wheel-chairs
Fig. 2: Walking Wheel-chairs
Source: http://bestwheelchairs.com/
Children are counseled before joining others to school wondering how colleagues would react. They find themselves different from the rest, by the fact that they cannot walk. Part of the orientation is to explain to fellow scholars about his or her disability. This has a strong psychological-burden relieving effect on the part of the disabled-person and care-takers or families concerned.
And, rehabilitation experts could use personalities life former US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt as inspirational figure, who in 1945 used a wheel chair, and at the same time remembered as one of the strongest presidents in U.S. history -who contracted polio at 39 years.
Luckily for children the wheel chairs are light, faster and easier to use meant to suit their weight and contr. A child would use his or her wheel chair smoothly, brake -especially for electronic wheel chairs (http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/things/wheelchairs.html -as at 12th September 2009).
Power wheel-chair has wheel-chair designed for comfort, easy mobility and, even for disabled persons with active lifestyles -more so with a taste for sports. There, also, exists a specialized department for those who want specialized designs, and firms can work around one's requirement in order to bring out the best results (http://www.wheelchairspower.com/ -as at 12th September 2009).
The scooter store helps thousands of people regain their mobility and independence at no cost with their guaranteed freedom program (http://www.thescooterstore.com/ -as at 12th September). Some organizations are helping transform lives through the gift of mobility to the disabled poor in the developing countries.
Uganda is one of the beneficiaries. It partners with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations -sending wheel chairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people providing not only the gift of mobility; but of dignity, independence and hope (Freewheelchairmission.org -as at 12th September 2009).
The Wheel-chair Foundation is a non-profit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities: to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheel-chair to every child, teen and adult in the world -who needs one, but cannot afford one. Indeed, to the vulnerable community as disabled people, the Wheel-chair Foundation delivers Hope, Mobility and Independence (wheelchairfoundation.org -as at 12th September 2009).
Selecting a wheel-chair depends on age, disability and abilities. Professionals like occupational therapists and physicians make some of the initial decisions of the selection process (http://www.abledata.com/- as at 12th September 2009).
Current Wheelchair Components:
Flames -are made out of a variety of materials including stainless steel, aircraft aluminum, titanium, chrome alloys and other light weight composite materials. Materials used determine wheel chair strength and capacity.
Seating systems -are removable and frequently separated from the wheel-chair. Include the sitting posture support systems . Sitting must allow the person to fit.
Upholstery -must be rugged enough to to withstand daily use and a variety of weather conditions. A number of materials are currently available, including nylon, velour, polyester, vinyl, and leather. They and flames come in variety of colors.
Brakes – are usually applied manually when braking. They can be mounted at different heights depending on the users needs. Powered chairs have eletro-mechanical or dynamic brakes.
Wheels and tires -They are of a variety of types and styles. Most wheel chair use a four wheel system -compromised of two larger wheels in the back and smaller casters in the front. They are generally aluminum and molded composites.
The most common rear wheel is 24 inches in diameter, but all other wheel sizes are available. There are also the over-sized wheel tires, offload tires, steel-reinforced, semi-pneumatic tires -a combination of solid rubber and air-filled tubing.
Foot-rests
Incorporated on the rigid flame chair. Offer a range of options -fixed, detached,swing-away, or elevating legrests, or legrests featuring a combination of these elements.
Arm-rests
Armrests are generally available in full- and desk-length styles, and may be detachable, height-adjustable, flip-up, have a combination of features, or be fixed. Some chairs, especially lightweight or sports models, are designed to be used without armrests.
Controls for powered chairs and scooters -regulate speed and direction. However, most manufacturers offer customized control options to accommodate the varied abilities of the user. Many chairs also have programmable control features which allow the user or a dealer to adjust or set the chair's speed and control limits as the user's abilities change.
There are also manufacturers, who do not make wheel-chairs, but, who offer specialized control systems for powered wheelchairs, including voice-activated controls. When purchasing controls and switches from a source, other than the chair's manufacturer, it is essential to determine that the selected control is compatible with the chair.
Drive system for powered chairs and scooters -the drive system refers to the means by which power is delivered to the chair's wheels. Standard drive systems include; gear drive, direct drive, and belt drive. The type of drive system affects the power available to propel the chair and the amount and type of maintenance the chair requires.
Batteries for powered chairs and scooters -Batteries are a determining factor in the range and power of a powered chair. Generally, the larger the chair's batteries, the greater the power and the longer the chair's range between charges. Many chairs require two re-chargeable 12-volt batteries.
Most wheel-chairs utilize U1, group 22 or 24 batteries, although other batteries are also used. More manufacturers are designing chairs around the group 24 battery because it affords a longer range. The type of battery required is also an important consideration in terms of safety, maintenance, and transport.
Powered chairs may utilize lead acid, gel cell, or sealed wet batteries. Gel cell batteries require the least maintenance and have less danger of leaking than do the other battery types. Gel cell batteries are also required by a number of airlines when transporting powered chairs.
CHAPTER THREE:
PROPOSED DESIGN
Multi-purpose Wheel-chair Constituents:
A single wheel-chair;
Either automated or manual -with several distinct functions put together for detailed or all-round well-functioning of the disabled person. This would help prevent extreme cormobid cases due to lesser mobility, psychological depression and discomfort.
Cushioned arms-rests/adjustable balcony;
They would be shaped out to steel and aluminum to act as safety accessories as well as small emergency doors. The arms-rests will be cushioned on either sides for sudden napping anytime the disabled-persons feels fit.
Adjustable back-rest;
This, as has been the case could act as back-support component of the wheel-chair. But on the most important note, would be its side-by-side purpose of easily having it adjusted to a resting bed when the disabled-person finds it easiest to provide for it, more than having to shift to a normal bed. They could as well be called temporary beds for disabled-persons. It shall have two stands to be pulled out for use when bed option is made.
The three bottom seat plates;
They would be set to allow swift pulling forward and pushing of particular seat plates in use and out of use, respectfully.
The first one, above the rest, would be a comfortable, well cushioned seat (of any color design). It would be an official seat for social occasions -including education.
The second one, only second to the first cushioned seat, would be one adjustable to work as a bathroom accessory plate, made on stainless steel and slightly inclined to allow water from the showers to drain out.
The last seat plate to mention, would be that below the first two. It would work as toilet accessory -allowing the disabled person to easily activate adjacent to the toilet seat or hole.
And all shall be adjustable to the ground and back to the recommended hieght. Adjusting it to the ground will be in an effort to let the disabled-person down to the floor, while adjusting it up-wards will be to let disabled-person climb up for ultimate use.
Front wheel-chair table;
This would works as a dining table for the disabled person, a school desk and a protective balcony against injury. The first 5 centimeters of it, too, shall be cushioned for napping purposes.
Foot-rests;
This, like other wheel-chairs, would be used to support feet when disabled person is seated. However, for the purposes of the multi-purpose wheel-chair, the foot-rests would be held in-between by a tough, thick letter material, along with which the foot-rests could be adjusted by 180 degrees to allow legs to stretch out straight, and for comfortable sleeping or resting using a bed provision on the multi-purpose wheel-chair. This, too, would have stands to support leather material and the bars -all purposed for holding legs during sleeping or resting time.
Tires;
Strong rubber tires could do, but for the multi-purpose wheel-chair, tubeless would be most appropriate.
Testing the wheel-chair:
At completion of assembling the wheel-chair would be put to road-test with disabled persons on trial, which would be preceded with numerous other tests by renown medical firms to test further the multi-purpose wheel-chair efficacy and effectiveness.
It would be at the end of that that results could be compiled and report readied for publication, and product -for marketing and use. To note, also, is that the multi-purpose wheel-chair could suit one -who is either opting for a motorized wheel-chair or manual.
Challenges to over-come:
It is not yet known where raw material, as steel, aluminum and leather could be obtained, lack of the right team to take on the project to its end, and above all; considerable amount of money will be needed to oversee the implementation of the project, yet no funding institution has been identified to cater for the emerging financial challenges.
In conclusion:
A lot of existing wheel-chair technologies would help fasten the development of the multi-purpose wheel-chair. Much of the old wheel-chair components not indicated here could be used as well, for example, the brakes and others -which obviously must constitute the new design.
The multi-purpose wheel-chair design would be presented hand-in-hand with an environment-fit design for the disabled-persons, supportive community linkages -as to and from policy makers, or have the design integrated into the usual environment systems of social interaction.
Way forward:
There are possibilities of striking partnership with existing research agencies that could be honest enough to protect the copyright reserved only for dishma inc., as well as making use of the local artisan community in Katwe, Uganda.
And, it is all hopes, through prayer that the financial challenges will be overcome. We could see friends and well-wishers rise up to that occasion, while also some research has to be made on potential sources of cheap raw materials stated above for swift project implementation.
References:
Best Wheel-chairs. http://bestwheelchairs.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Defining a wheel chair. http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009
Factson Wheelchairs for children. http://www.abledata.com/- ast at 12th September 2009
Feaured category. Wheel-chair depot. www.wheelchairdepot.com -as at 12th September
2009
Inside FWM Free wheel chair mission. http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/site/c.fgLFIXOJKtF/b.4916767/k.2A77/Inside_FWM.htm -as at 12th September 2009
Kids Health. http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/things/wheelchairs.html as at 12th September 2009
Wheelchair foundation, mission statement. http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/about/mission -as at 12th September 2009
Wheelchairs, motorised wheelhcair and electric wheelchair. http://www.thescooterstore.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Your reliable wheel-chair source, a trusted provider for your wheel chair and mobility needs. http://www.wheelchairspower.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Appendix: 1.
Expected Monthly Budget (Fixed [F -incurred once] and Operational[O -continious])
Administration..........................................................................$800 [O]
Support Individual firms................................................................$500 [O]
Stationery and Internet facility.......................................................$1000 [F]
Transport/Vehicle hire.................................................................$1000 [F]
Food...................................................................................$1500 [F]
Field Station Rent......................................................................$300 [O]
Office Rent.............................................................................$300 [O]
Apparatus...............................................................................$2000 [O]
Training................................................................................$1000 [O]
Research Activities.....................................................................$2000 [O]
Publication............................................................................ $2000 [O]
Workshops/Conferences...................................................................$1000 [O]
Internship and Volunteer Support........................................................$1000 [O]
Advertisements..........................................................................$100 [O]
Partnership Development...........................................................$500 [O]
Database Development..............................................................$1000 [F]
Simultaneous.............................................................................$1000 [O]
Total Costs...................................................................................$18400
MULTI-PURPOSE WHEEL-CHAIR PROJECT
PROPOSED
BY
THE
DISHMA INC.
P.O. BOX 8885, KAMPALA-UGANDA
WWW.SITUATIONHEALTHANALYSIS.BLOGSPOT.COM
WAISWAJACOBO@YAHOO.CO.UK
©2009
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION:
Background
The multi-purpose wheel-chair is a product designed by the Dishma Inc. on 11th September 2009 to further ease mobility and attainment of independence of disabled persons. It was felt by Dishma Executives and founders of the Regina Foundation that absence of a multi-purpose wheel-chair devastatingly stressed out the care-takers and families of the disabled child by having to lift the bulky disabled-persons on and off the original manual wheel-chair.
The wikipedia defines a wheel chair as a mobility device in which the user sits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair, 12th/8/09). But, distributors of the original manual wheel chairs did not make prior inquiries about nature of physical disability, injury or infection-causing disability. They distribute wheel chairs -regardless of how incompatible they were. This contributes to more comorbid cases -more deformations or defects than it current medical case of disability. The spine-cords and the back bone can get abnormally postured due to incompatibility of wheel-chair with the shape, comfort needs and size of the disabled person.
And, because care involved having to lift the heavy disabled person on and off of the wheel chair at some point, care takers and most family members experienced burnt-out syndrome -sometimes leading to rejection and abandonment of the disabled children or persons, so that no one else helps them out to use toilet or bathroom. As a result, it increases the risk of infection related to poor hygiene and/or improper disposal of waste “products,” and above all, they were left to sit stationary, which -with time affects locomotion in the limbs as arms and limbs rigidity ensues.
We anticipate the the creation of the multi-purpose wheel chair will not only create a big sigh of relief for families and caretakers, but it would also increase and sustain hope of disabled-persons living a more fulfilling and productive life. They, for example, would be able to roll of the multi-purpose wheel-chair onto the normal sleeping bed, adjust the back-rest to a rest bed when fatigued and conformably sleep -as though on the normal bed.
With the three bottom support-seat layers, he or she would be in position to use the top layer for official purposes -as to go to school, make visits, and to socialize or play, while the last layer would have a potty or toilet provision and bathing safety and support seat structured in a way that drains out water as the disabled persons bathes.
Dishma Inc. will make the product as cheap to a common person as possible -as numerous charitable and promotional activities to enable them acquire wheel-chair and access rehabilitation programs free of charge at least twice a year. The multi-purpose wheel- chair, also, would help the disabled person pursue are physical developmental activities like washing, helping out in the job, brush his or her teeth, arts and crafts, support socialization, attend school with confidence and with far lessened burden to care-takers. Dishma Inc. shall conduct an on-going research to improve on the products working efficiency of the disabled-person's comfort and ease to use. Project's initial cost estimate has been put at $18,400.
Purpose of the Design:
To design and manufacture disabled persons wheel chairs that are characteristic to humans and supportive to human natural growth and development processes as well as rehabilitation efforts.
Specific Objectives:
To create hope and sustain it in the lives of the disabled persons so that they can think more positively about the future for self-advancement
To transform disabled persons into more productive and responsible members of the global community -socially, politically, economically and spiritually
To prevent accelerated deformities due to wrong wheel chair prescription, lack of qualified consultants and inappropriate wheel chair designs
To ease families and care-takers of stress having to face the burden of lifting disabled persons on and off their wheel-chairs
The scope:
The multi-purpose wheel chair would constitute; a back-rest -also adjustable to a resting bed, triple bottom seater -one cushioned for formal use as to visit, go to school; draining seater for bathing and potty shelf seater -for use above toilet or latrines; side-by-side balcony for rolling off the wheel-chair to the bed or to normal chairs; front dining and study table; adjustable legs and foot-rests; tubeless tires. Original technologies of motorized and electric types could be integrated as well as the varied weight and size compatibility wheel-chairs.
Significance of the Multi-purpose Wheel Chair Design:
The multi-purpose design would ease the development of the disabled person -mentally, physical, (able to do basic self-help ventures as going to bed, toilet, bathroom, being able to change clothes, economic (attend to economic endeavors as selling items, crafts making, for career development and the confidence to try and succeed in all ventures of life), and relief caretakers and families from the stress of physically lifting off and one the disabled person from the wheel-chair, and have the disabled person enjoy sustained hope and love from his or her family.
The Current Problem:
So many wheel chairs are distributed out to disabled persons -especially in Africa and Asia -without assessment of the psychological needs, physical defect, weight and to the comfort and ease of the disabled person in using wheel chair products.
Existing wheel-chairs have unique functions that mean extra spending by families towards fullest mobility of the disabled persons under their care. The multi-purpose wheel-chair would not only help reduce on the time expended on having to switch to different wheel chairs for specific activities, but cost effective, as well.
CHAPTER TWO:
THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVIEW
The current products are specially designed for different tasks like separate one for bathing, separate other for toilet and high mobility for the more incapacitated disabled-person. It would mean the care-giver buying a whole set at an average of $500, which not any one affords -especially our resource-limited friends of the southern hemisphere.
Depending on affordability, there exists the manual and the automated wheel-chairs ( http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009). They are used by people, for whom walking is difficult dues to sickness or injury. They where first introduced in China in the 6th century and later in Europe (http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009).
Some Existing Wheel-chair Designs Today
Fig. 1: Manual Wheel-chair $99 -most in use.
Fig. 2: Mobility scooters
Fig. 3: Power Wheel-chair
Source: www.wheelchairdepot.com
Wheel-chair are a variety and of varied prices depending on the quality. Also available on the market are accessories depending on functionality, for example; transport chairs, bathroom safety products, transfer chairs, shower wheel-chairs etc.
Fig. 1: Transport Wheel-chairs
Fig. 2: Walking Wheel-chairs
Source: http://bestwheelchairs.com/
Children are counseled before joining others to school wondering how colleagues would react. They find themselves different from the rest, by the fact that they cannot walk. Part of the orientation is to explain to fellow scholars about his or her disability. This has a strong psychological-burden relieving effect on the part of the disabled-person and care-takers or families concerned.
And, rehabilitation experts could use personalities life former US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt as inspirational figure, who in 1945 used a wheel chair, and at the same time remembered as one of the strongest presidents in U.S. history -who contracted polio at 39 years.
Luckily for children the wheel chairs are light, faster and easier to use meant to suit their weight and contr. A child would use his or her wheel chair smoothly, brake -especially for electronic wheel chairs (http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/things/wheelchairs.html -as at 12th September 2009).
Power wheel-chair has wheel-chair designed for comfort, easy mobility and, even for disabled persons with active lifestyles -more so with a taste for sports. There, also, exists a specialized department for those who want specialized designs, and firms can work around one's requirement in order to bring out the best results (http://www.wheelchairspower.com/ -as at 12th September 2009).
The scooter store helps thousands of people regain their mobility and independence at no cost with their guaranteed freedom program (http://www.thescooterstore.com/ -as at 12th September). Some organizations are helping transform lives through the gift of mobility to the disabled poor in the developing countries.
Uganda is one of the beneficiaries. It partners with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations -sending wheel chairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people providing not only the gift of mobility; but of dignity, independence and hope (Freewheelchairmission.org -as at 12th September 2009).
The Wheel-chair Foundation is a non-profit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities: to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheel-chair to every child, teen and adult in the world -who needs one, but cannot afford one. Indeed, to the vulnerable community as disabled people, the Wheel-chair Foundation delivers Hope, Mobility and Independence (wheelchairfoundation.org -as at 12th September 2009).
Selecting a wheel-chair depends on age, disability and abilities. Professionals like occupational therapists and physicians make some of the initial decisions of the selection process (http://www.abledata.com/- as at 12th September 2009).
Current Wheelchair Components:
Flames -are made out of a variety of materials including stainless steel, aircraft aluminum, titanium, chrome alloys and other light weight composite materials. Materials used determine wheel chair strength and capacity.
Seating systems -are removable and frequently separated from the wheel-chair. Include the sitting posture support systems . Sitting must allow the person to fit.
Upholstery -must be rugged enough to to withstand daily use and a variety of weather conditions. A number of materials are currently available, including nylon, velour, polyester, vinyl, and leather. They and flames come in variety of colors.
Brakes – are usually applied manually when braking. They can be mounted at different heights depending on the users needs. Powered chairs have eletro-mechanical or dynamic brakes.
Wheels and tires -They are of a variety of types and styles. Most wheel chair use a four wheel system -compromised of two larger wheels in the back and smaller casters in the front. They are generally aluminum and molded composites.
The most common rear wheel is 24 inches in diameter, but all other wheel sizes are available. There are also the over-sized wheel tires, offload tires, steel-reinforced, semi-pneumatic tires -a combination of solid rubber and air-filled tubing.
Foot-rests
Incorporated on the rigid flame chair. Offer a range of options -fixed, detached,swing-away, or elevating legrests, or legrests featuring a combination of these elements.
Arm-rests
Armrests are generally available in full- and desk-length styles, and may be detachable, height-adjustable, flip-up, have a combination of features, or be fixed. Some chairs, especially lightweight or sports models, are designed to be used without armrests.
Controls for powered chairs and scooters -regulate speed and direction. However, most manufacturers offer customized control options to accommodate the varied abilities of the user. Many chairs also have programmable control features which allow the user or a dealer to adjust or set the chair's speed and control limits as the user's abilities change.
There are also manufacturers, who do not make wheel-chairs, but, who offer specialized control systems for powered wheelchairs, including voice-activated controls. When purchasing controls and switches from a source, other than the chair's manufacturer, it is essential to determine that the selected control is compatible with the chair.
Drive system for powered chairs and scooters -the drive system refers to the means by which power is delivered to the chair's wheels. Standard drive systems include; gear drive, direct drive, and belt drive. The type of drive system affects the power available to propel the chair and the amount and type of maintenance the chair requires.
Batteries for powered chairs and scooters -Batteries are a determining factor in the range and power of a powered chair. Generally, the larger the chair's batteries, the greater the power and the longer the chair's range between charges. Many chairs require two re-chargeable 12-volt batteries.
Most wheel-chairs utilize U1, group 22 or 24 batteries, although other batteries are also used. More manufacturers are designing chairs around the group 24 battery because it affords a longer range. The type of battery required is also an important consideration in terms of safety, maintenance, and transport.
Powered chairs may utilize lead acid, gel cell, or sealed wet batteries. Gel cell batteries require the least maintenance and have less danger of leaking than do the other battery types. Gel cell batteries are also required by a number of airlines when transporting powered chairs.
CHAPTER THREE:
PROPOSED DESIGN
Multi-purpose Wheel-chair Constituents:
A single wheel-chair;
Either automated or manual -with several distinct functions put together for detailed or all-round well-functioning of the disabled person. This would help prevent extreme cormobid cases due to lesser mobility, psychological depression and discomfort.
Cushioned arms-rests/adjustable balcony;
They would be shaped out to steel and aluminum to act as safety accessories as well as small emergency doors. The arms-rests will be cushioned on either sides for sudden napping anytime the disabled-persons feels fit.
Adjustable back-rest;
This, as has been the case could act as back-support component of the wheel-chair. But on the most important note, would be its side-by-side purpose of easily having it adjusted to a resting bed when the disabled-person finds it easiest to provide for it, more than having to shift to a normal bed. They could as well be called temporary beds for disabled-persons. It shall have two stands to be pulled out for use when bed option is made.
The three bottom seat plates;
They would be set to allow swift pulling forward and pushing of particular seat plates in use and out of use, respectfully.
The first one, above the rest, would be a comfortable, well cushioned seat (of any color design). It would be an official seat for social occasions -including education.
The second one, only second to the first cushioned seat, would be one adjustable to work as a bathroom accessory plate, made on stainless steel and slightly inclined to allow water from the showers to drain out.
The last seat plate to mention, would be that below the first two. It would work as toilet accessory -allowing the disabled person to easily activate adjacent to the toilet seat or hole.
And all shall be adjustable to the ground and back to the recommended hieght. Adjusting it to the ground will be in an effort to let the disabled-person down to the floor, while adjusting it up-wards will be to let disabled-person climb up for ultimate use.
Front wheel-chair table;
This would works as a dining table for the disabled person, a school desk and a protective balcony against injury. The first 5 centimeters of it, too, shall be cushioned for napping purposes.
Foot-rests;
This, like other wheel-chairs, would be used to support feet when disabled person is seated. However, for the purposes of the multi-purpose wheel-chair, the foot-rests would be held in-between by a tough, thick letter material, along with which the foot-rests could be adjusted by 180 degrees to allow legs to stretch out straight, and for comfortable sleeping or resting using a bed provision on the multi-purpose wheel-chair. This, too, would have stands to support leather material and the bars -all purposed for holding legs during sleeping or resting time.
Tires;
Strong rubber tires could do, but for the multi-purpose wheel-chair, tubeless would be most appropriate.
Testing the wheel-chair:
At completion of assembling the wheel-chair would be put to road-test with disabled persons on trial, which would be preceded with numerous other tests by renown medical firms to test further the multi-purpose wheel-chair efficacy and effectiveness.
It would be at the end of that that results could be compiled and report readied for publication, and product -for marketing and use. To note, also, is that the multi-purpose wheel-chair could suit one -who is either opting for a motorized wheel-chair or manual.
Challenges to over-come:
It is not yet known where raw material, as steel, aluminum and leather could be obtained, lack of the right team to take on the project to its end, and above all; considerable amount of money will be needed to oversee the implementation of the project, yet no funding institution has been identified to cater for the emerging financial challenges.
In conclusion:
A lot of existing wheel-chair technologies would help fasten the development of the multi-purpose wheel-chair. Much of the old wheel-chair components not indicated here could be used as well, for example, the brakes and others -which obviously must constitute the new design.
The multi-purpose wheel-chair design would be presented hand-in-hand with an environment-fit design for the disabled-persons, supportive community linkages -as to and from policy makers, or have the design integrated into the usual environment systems of social interaction.
Way forward:
There are possibilities of striking partnership with existing research agencies that could be honest enough to protect the copyright reserved only for dishma inc., as well as making use of the local artisan community in Katwe, Uganda.
And, it is all hopes, through prayer that the financial challenges will be overcome. We could see friends and well-wishers rise up to that occasion, while also some research has to be made on potential sources of cheap raw materials stated above for swift project implementation.
References:
Best Wheel-chairs. http://bestwheelchairs.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Defining a wheel chair. http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair -as at 12th September 2009
Factson Wheelchairs for children. http://www.abledata.com/- ast at 12th September 2009
Feaured category. Wheel-chair depot. www.wheelchairdepot.com -as at 12th September
2009
Inside FWM Free wheel chair mission. http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/site/c.fgLFIXOJKtF/b.4916767/k.2A77/Inside_FWM.htm -as at 12th September 2009
Kids Health. http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/things/wheelchairs.html as at 12th September 2009
Wheelchair foundation, mission statement. http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/about/mission -as at 12th September 2009
Wheelchairs, motorised wheelhcair and electric wheelchair. http://www.thescooterstore.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Your reliable wheel-chair source, a trusted provider for your wheel chair and mobility needs. http://www.wheelchairspower.com/ -as at 12th September 2009
Appendix: 1.
Expected Monthly Budget (Fixed [F -incurred once] and Operational[O -continious])
Administration..........................................................................$800 [O]
Support Individual firms................................................................$500 [O]
Stationery and Internet facility.......................................................$1000 [F]
Transport/Vehicle hire.................................................................$1000 [F]
Food...................................................................................$1500 [F]
Field Station Rent......................................................................$300 [O]
Office Rent.............................................................................$300 [O]
Apparatus...............................................................................$2000 [O]
Training................................................................................$1000 [O]
Research Activities.....................................................................$2000 [O]
Publication............................................................................ $2000 [O]
Workshops/Conferences...................................................................$1000 [O]
Internship and Volunteer Support........................................................$1000 [O]
Advertisements..........................................................................$100 [O]
Partnership Development...........................................................$500 [O]
Database Development..............................................................$1000 [F]
Simultaneous.............................................................................$1000 [O]
Total Costs...................................................................................$18400
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Mentally and Physically Handicapped: A Community Responsibility...
Introduction
During the Nazi rule, the physically and mentally handicapped were set aside for mercy killing. In 1939, Hitler himself passed a degree requiring physicians to carry out mercy killing of patients considered incurable. Today, the new Nazi are those neglectful of the vulnerable persons or suffocate progress of human life.
Moving around rural and slum areas, the physically and mentally handicapped are tied up on ropes for fear of being raped or stoned to death, kept in the backyard -for being "not presentable" and "frightening" to visitors, or treated like convicted prisoners -whose activities would be limited to receiving food.
But they are human beings and entitled to dignifying treatment. They, for example, deserve access and/or right to medical attention, to learning opportunities, to movement (play and exercise), to employment, to appropriate technology (that considers their vulnerability), to recreational facilities right to a healthy environment and to participate in development of their countries.
In helping integrate them into society different technological designs would be developed to help integrate handicapped persons with learning opportunities to be responsibile to the self, self-sufficient and at some stage; be socially responsible citizens.
Here life skills -involvement self-understanding, dealing with stigma, self-management training, training in social skills, communication, negotiation, goal setting, health science basics and livelihood issues too could be integrated.
They could indeed have a life to live and a passion for life, though the community in which they live, must care and support them as fundamental contribution and community responsibility. We could all feel obliged to help these people -through not just giving, but also developing them to self-sufficiency.
Unfortunately, a big section lives in the most poor category -both financially and intellectually. Some communities, besides, hardly find a dollar a day to live on, they could luck both hope and plan for the vulnerable dependents as well. Instead, they would be locked up in the backyard as “useless.”
For poor families, they would not have necessary care from their care-givers -as out and about they would be moving and working in farm-lands to make ends meet. So neglect of the disabled people could be due to a wider problem as poverty.
But, also, there is a category of the elderly -who at the same time acting as care-givers. There could be sadness in such a home -as they are both vulnerable. At "worst," the physically handicapped need lifting up and down -which adds on the misery. It would be at this point that community support would mean a lot to the lives of the disabled people.
There must be not only a policy that protects and supports emancipation of the vulnerable people as well as social and economic structures that put them (vulnerable people) into transformation processes.
That could be show of love, care and support by communities, supporting developmental paths of the vulnerable through institutional and social structural accommodation. We would need also to be appreciative of them as people we have to live and develop with.
Problem
Vulnerable people (the physically and mentally handicapped -MPH) are so often neglected first by their families and later communities. They are considered useless to society and their potential hardly explored. So they are made to be and remain destitute within their own communities -as though permanent sentence to misery and subsequent extinction.
Even the few local non-government organizations, whose charter would be to emancipate them, hardly do so either because they lack capacity or just part of the neglectful society in as far as supporting the mentally and physically handicapped is concerned.
Justification
The vulnerable people have faced a cruel face of the community through neglect and absence of intervention mechanism to make them productive and be able to contribute to the development of their communities. Yet the real community sense would be to identify vulnerable people as credible to society, whose voices must be heard and equally have access to developmental opportunities.
Goal
Provide a more meaningful and dignifying treatment to the vulnerable groups as people who deserve a good life to live, demonstrate productivity sense and participate in community development -with community sense of support and recognition. Click here to read more...
During the Nazi rule, the physically and mentally handicapped were set aside for mercy killing. In 1939, Hitler himself passed a degree requiring physicians to carry out mercy killing of patients considered incurable. Today, the new Nazi are those neglectful of the vulnerable persons or suffocate progress of human life.
Moving around rural and slum areas, the physically and mentally handicapped are tied up on ropes for fear of being raped or stoned to death, kept in the backyard -for being "not presentable" and "frightening" to visitors, or treated like convicted prisoners -whose activities would be limited to receiving food.
But they are human beings and entitled to dignifying treatment. They, for example, deserve access and/or right to medical attention, to learning opportunities, to movement (play and exercise), to employment, to appropriate technology (that considers their vulnerability), to recreational facilities right to a healthy environment and to participate in development of their countries.
In helping integrate them into society different technological designs would be developed to help integrate handicapped persons with learning opportunities to be responsibile to the self, self-sufficient and at some stage; be socially responsible citizens.
Here life skills -involvement self-understanding, dealing with stigma, self-management training, training in social skills, communication, negotiation, goal setting, health science basics and livelihood issues too could be integrated.
They could indeed have a life to live and a passion for life, though the community in which they live, must care and support them as fundamental contribution and community responsibility. We could all feel obliged to help these people -through not just giving, but also developing them to self-sufficiency.
Unfortunately, a big section lives in the most poor category -both financially and intellectually. Some communities, besides, hardly find a dollar a day to live on, they could luck both hope and plan for the vulnerable dependents as well. Instead, they would be locked up in the backyard as “useless.”
For poor families, they would not have necessary care from their care-givers -as out and about they would be moving and working in farm-lands to make ends meet. So neglect of the disabled people could be due to a wider problem as poverty.
But, also, there is a category of the elderly -who at the same time acting as care-givers. There could be sadness in such a home -as they are both vulnerable. At "worst," the physically handicapped need lifting up and down -which adds on the misery. It would be at this point that community support would mean a lot to the lives of the disabled people.
There must be not only a policy that protects and supports emancipation of the vulnerable people as well as social and economic structures that put them (vulnerable people) into transformation processes.
That could be show of love, care and support by communities, supporting developmental paths of the vulnerable through institutional and social structural accommodation. We would need also to be appreciative of them as people we have to live and develop with.
Problem
Vulnerable people (the physically and mentally handicapped -MPH) are so often neglected first by their families and later communities. They are considered useless to society and their potential hardly explored. So they are made to be and remain destitute within their own communities -as though permanent sentence to misery and subsequent extinction.
Even the few local non-government organizations, whose charter would be to emancipate them, hardly do so either because they lack capacity or just part of the neglectful society in as far as supporting the mentally and physically handicapped is concerned.
Justification
The vulnerable people have faced a cruel face of the community through neglect and absence of intervention mechanism to make them productive and be able to contribute to the development of their communities. Yet the real community sense would be to identify vulnerable people as credible to society, whose voices must be heard and equally have access to developmental opportunities.
Goal
Provide a more meaningful and dignifying treatment to the vulnerable groups as people who deserve a good life to live, demonstrate productivity sense and participate in community development -with community sense of support and recognition. Click here to read more...
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