Every idea has a story to tell. My inspiration stems from an experience that changed my life forever. My grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease few years ago. I remember playing chess with him and noticing his hand trembling when making the next move. A couple of years ago, while I was visiting him during my summer vacation, I was shocked about the transformation due to Parkinson's disease. He was struggling to perform his daily tasks and seeing his suffering eyes, I wanted to do something for him. Maneuvering a wheelchair in tight spaces around his apartment was difficult and after losing a lot of weight, he had a hard time handling a walker. So already a natural tinkerer, I envisioned a device that would better suit the needs of my grandfather and others like him.
I am a robotics fan, and during my participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition I learned how to design and build robots and became passionate about it. I remember talking to my grandfather, discussing about the advantage of using such a device. I learned that it was important for him to regain his independence and that performing his normal routine was all he would wish for. We talked about how many people could benefit from a device like this and how I can make a difference in their lives. Unfortunately, my grandfather is no longer with us to benefit from my idea. But I continue to live with the hope that other people like him can benefit from a mobility solution like this. |