Michael Forrest's story
Technology solutions for Michael
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In many ways Michael Forrest is a changed man since a serious workplace accident. In other ways, he is very much the same gentleman he always was.
The right side of Michael's body was partially paralyzed following the fall at a construction site and a subsequent stroke. Presented with the reality of a much less physical lifestyle, he took up reading as a hobby.
At the same time, as the proud owner of a beautiful Cowichan Bay property, Michael still wanted to take part in maintaining the garden for his wife, Deborah, and their family.
"Taking care of his own front yard was something that was taken away from him when he hurt himself," Deborah says.
Tricia, Michael's occupational therapist, understood just how important this was to him. So she referred Michael through the CanAssist-WorkSafeBC initiative. Following a meeting to review Michael's needs, the first device CanAssist created for him was an adapted lawnmower. Mike Lewis, an engineering co-op student, set out to modify a mower that Michael could operate with his left arm.
Mike selected a light, cordless, battery-powered mower that was easy for Michael to maneuver right away. Then he had to figure out a way for Michael to start the lawn mower, as the mower's safety button and kill switch bar need to be activated simultaneously with the use of two hands.
The solution was to transfer access to the safety button to the top of the mower's handle. Mike also designed a metal bar that protrudes from the mower's handle to hold the kill switch in place.
"The device I made prevents the kill switch from being pulled and starting the lawnmower accidentally," Mike says. "With one hand, the button can be pushed down and the kill switch activated, which starts the lawnmower."
This initial technology delivery was a great success. On delivery day, Michael had a big grin on his face, knowing he could get back to mowing the lawn at home, a chore that Deborah had taken up after his injury.
When Michael's right arm began causing him pain while reading, Trish knew just who to ask for help. This time Brandon Fry, of CanAssist's mechanical engineering team, was asked to create a complementary book holder and armrest.
The book support's purpose was to hold a book so Michael could use his left arm to turn the pages. Unlike other commercial book holders, this one stands on a table or desktop without the use of a clamp.
"For it to accomplish this without damaging the table or flipping over, it needed to be properly weighted," Brandon says. "It needed to be heavy, but not too heavy to lift."
The aluminum book holder has two linear bearings that enable Michael to slide a book closer or farther away from him, as well as to adjust the book's height and angle.
The complementary armrest was designed to keep his right arm in place and provide some relief from being in an unsupported position at his side. The device, made from four aluminum bars, attaches to Michael's chair, allowing him to read at his table or desk.
"The armrest puts upward pressure on Michael's shoulder joint, which appears to prevent the accompanying pain he was having," Brandon says.
The fact that Michael no longer feels pain while he is reading means he can read everyday to his heart's content.
"Michael wants very much to contribute," Tanya Switucka, CanAssist's client relations manager says. "When we delivered the adapted lawn mower, it was an emotional event for all."
But perhaps Michael sums up best how working with CanAssist has affected him: "This is a big deal for me," he says.
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