The solution the team came up with was a device that includes an articulated arm and shooting device that Melissa can control via push button controls. The arm framework will be attached to the center back of her wheelchair and will swivel to allow optimum angles for her to approach any side of the pool table in her wheelchair and to line up and execute her shot independently. It is easily attachable/removable to/from her wheelchair.
Melissa has a competitive spirit and wishes to be able to join in playing pool with her twin sister and the rest of her family.
Melissa is a 14-year-old girl living with cerebral palsy. She has no use of her legs, and limited use of her hands (most control is in her left hand), and she spends most of her time in a powered wheelchair (Quantum Q6 edge with tilting function). Melissa has good speech and is very sociable. She loves to be independent within her limitations and lives at home with her parents, twin sister, and uncle. Melissa was unable to be present in Bundaberg at the TOM Queensland event and has nominated her sister Deb Gramlick to be the on-site Need-Knower in her absence so the team has a better understanding of her movement abilities.
The build files for MECHATRONIC POOL AID are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.
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