Logan's UATP helps one woman, starts a chain reaction

Sharon Ross

Sharon Ross met Clay Christensen at the Logan Utah Assistive Technology Program when she had a problem with the foot rest on her wheelchair. Something was wrong with the weld. She tried to get help from the vendor, but when that wasn't working for her she brought her wheelchair to UATP in Logan, and Christensen fixed it.

She remembered her experience--and that UATP helps connect donated and refurbished equipment with people who need it--when a friend with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was unable to get around. Sharon's friend could not afford a new wheelchair, and her health was very bad.

Sharon visited Christensen and asked if he had anything that would work for her friend. He took her to the used, donated wheelchairs at UATP, and they discovered a reclining chair.

"We took it to my friend and she was elated," Sharon said. Her friend used the chair until she passed away a few months later.

Since then, three of her friends have needed walkers. Again, they didn't feel they could afford a solution, but Christensen found something that would work for them.

That's the mission of the AT Lab, Christensen said. "Most of the time people with disabilities are on a limited income anyway. Insurance isn't covering everything they need."

Now, he is working on another project for her--a lift that will be both customized and affordable. "There are a lot of solutions out there that can be adapted," he said. "Some were not specifically intended for disability use but they certainly have an application for it, with a much kinder price tag."

If you live in Utah and have a need for equipment that would help you be more independent, UATP may be able to help. Affordable fees for service may apply. Find out more on the UATP website.

Utah Assistive Technology Program moves to Vernal

Volunteers help finish the move to Utah Assistive Technology Program's Vernal location.

VERNAL--The Utah Assistive Technology Lab has changed its name and address. But when it comes to helping people find the equipment that keeps them independent, coordinator Cameron Cressall remains as dedicated as ever.

"Nothing is changing," he said. "We are still serving Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett counties."

The facility—now called the Utah Assistive Technology Program—has moved to 2574 West 500 North, #2 in Vernal. It remains part of the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University, and will continue to serve people who come to the office with an assistive technology need. 

The Vernal location has a bus stop nearby.

In addition, Cressall said he will still travel to meet the needs of Uintah Basin clients outside of the Vernal area, though he encourages people to come to the office if at all possible.  “Just call and make an appointment,” he said.

Volunteers from both Vernal and Roosevelt helped Cressall make the move on Tuesday. "I am deeply touched by all the help I received," he said. "We got help from 4-H in Uintah and Duchesne counties, and community members of all ages helped us out, too. They showed up with three vehicles and two trailers. We finished the move in one night!"

4-H volunteers load up a trailer during the move.

"We had a good time and we really appreciate Cameron giving us the opportunity to help," said Traci Frost, 4-H coordinator in Uintah County. Her teen council showed up for some heavy lifting.

"Cameron does so much for a lot of people in the community," said Mindy Mair, who helped coordinate volunteers. "This was a way we could pay him back."

The change of address will help people in Vernal get to know UATP services better as well. The organization’s mission is to put assistive technology—or devices that improve or maintain independence—into the hands of Utahns who need it. Clients can access UATP’s demonstration and loan library to see what devices are available and try before they buy. They can receive refurbished equipment or even work with Cressall to customize AT for their particular needs. Finally, people can apply to UATP for small grants or loans to make assistive technology more affordable.

Over the past year, 214 people received either a loaned, custom-built, adapted or refurbished device from UATP in the Uintah Basin. That equipment helped people's mobility in their homes and communities. It allowed them to adapt their homes to accommodate a disability, to learn at school, or to work independently.

UATP also has locations in Logan and Salt Lake City. The small grants and loans are available to Utahns anywhere in the state.

For more information about UATP in the Uintah Basin, contact Cameron Cressall at 435-767-1719 or visit the UATP website at uatpat.org.

Getting camera-ready: how AT helped a CPD intern work independently

Clay and Bryson try out an early design

When Bryson Carpenter started work as an intern with the Center for Persons with Disabilities, he had some barriers to overcome. He would be shooting video and photos for the CPD, but it was hard to do that independently at first.

Bryson, a freshman at Utah State University, is on the CPD’s media team.

“The goal was to pretty much have something that I could do entirely on my own,” he said. To make it happen, he needed to operate an iPad. But Bryson needed something to hold the iPad up where he could see it. He also needed a way to operate it without using the touch screen.

So he talked to Clay Christensen at the Utah Assistive Technology Program in Logan. UATP is part of the CPD at Utah State University, and its mission is to help people find assistive technology that improves their independence.

Clay and Bryson used the accessible features already built into the iPad to help Bryson operate it. They added a big-button Bluetooth switch (the AbleNet Blue2). When Bryson touches the switch, it’s the same as tapping on the touch screen.  

Then, they used modular hose to hold the iPad up where Bryson could see it. The modular hose works well in a lot of applications, but this one wasn’t a great fit. “Whenever I would drive it would just slowly fall over,” he said. “I was afraid it would fall off.”

So Bryson and Clay got together again, and they settled on a fixed bar with an attached Velcro surface to hold the iPad up. Clay bolted the arm to the tray already fixed to Bryson’s wheelchair.

“It’s always a bit of trial and error,” Clay said. But the end, customized result worked for Bryson, who uses the arm, iPad and switch it as he shoots photos and videos for the CPD.

The CPD also adapted Bryson’s workspace to make sure his computer screen was the right height. To operate the computer, he uses a tiny mouse called a Sanwa supply ring mouse. A regular-sized mouse won’t work for him, but Bryson said this tiny one works fine—and with it he can access and respond to emails.

“It’s good,” he said. “I like it.”

If you live in Utah and would like to find out more about assistive technology that could work for you, visit the UATP website or call 800-524-5152.

Logan man keeps up with work, avoids injury thanks to loaned scooter

Dean Luthi at work, on his new-to-him scooter.

LOGAN--Dean Luthi had some difficulty standing and walking at work at Lowe's in Logan, where he ran the self-checkout. He talked to his manager and they gave him a parking space close to the store and tried putting a seat in his work station. They put his employee card on a lanyard so that he could easily scan it at the register when he needed to help a customer.

Still, the up-and-down action was difficult. Once, Dean fell and had to miss work. "I was out for seven days and I messed up my shoulder," he said.

Most days, injury or not, he was worn out by the time he went home. He was also having a hard time using the break room--it was just too far away.

His manager, Joey Wolford, knew the problem was real. "Dean's a ray of sunshine. He probably has the best attitude of anybody I've ever met," he said. "If he could work here all the time, he would."

Mike Stokes, who volunteers at the Utah Assistive Technology Program in Logan, saw Dean as he was there at Lowe's, picking up some materials the store had donated for a different UATP project. He also saw Wolford in the store.

"Mike is my old assistant soccer coach," Wolford said.

Stokes and Wolford arranged an introduction with Luthi, and the work began to find a scooter he could use on loan from UATP. They found one, and Luthi began working more safely.

"When I got the scooter I didn't have to worry bout falling," he said.

He also received a walker on loan from UATP to help him walk the halls of Bridgerland Technical College, where he is studying to be an auto and diesel technician.

"My goal is to open my own shop," he said.

Information about equipment available for loan from UATP is available in an earlier post.

Custom repair solves a problem with style

It's not unusual for UATP's staff members to come up with a customized, simple solution to a problem. But this one has style.

ROOSEVELT--Utah Assitive Technology Program client Joel "Montana" Filmore was having trouble operating his power wheelchair. He kept accidentally hitting buttons while he used the joystick. When the joystick knob fell off while he was in town,  he was unable to pick it up.

Fortunately, UATP's Uintah Basin coordinator, Cameron Cressall, was in the neighborhood when Filmore called. He picked the knob off the sidewalk and delivered it to Filmore's house.

Montana Filmore

"While we were there, he talked about some of the problems he was having maneuvering his power wheelchair," Cressall said. "We discussed some adaptions we could make to his joystick that might help. He suddenly got an idea."

Filmore asked Cressall to retrieve an old deer antler from the corner of his apartment and asked if a new knob could be made of that.

With that, Cressall and student employee Brandon Griffin were on the job. "We got to work, and with a cut here, sand there and a hole drilled, we made him a new knob," Cressall said. The result: a joystick that is taller, larger and easier to work with limited fine motor skills.

Also, it's got Filmore's personality all over it.

"He says it will keep him from accidentally hitting buttons that interfere with operating his chair, won't fall off and is easier for him to maneuver," Cressall said. "He loves the antler knob."

New scooter broadens the life of Logan man

John Montour

LOGAN--John Montour  doesn't remember why he passed by the Utah Assistive Technology Program's lab in Logan, or exactly when it happened. He just remembers seeing lots and lots of wheelchair parts, and people working on wheelchairs.

But the memory came back during desperate time in his life, after he had received one bit of bad news after another. His health was failing and his world seemed smaller and smaller. Doctors recommended he not stand for long periods. Then he was told not to drive. He could not walk too much, or climb stairs. He had to stop riding the BMX bike that he regarded as his friend.

It seemed the only times he got out of the house were for medical appointments--and those were not happy occasions. Meanwhile, he faced a long wait for equipment that would help.

"I was just stuck. Stuck. There was no way I could find a way outside at all," he said. But as he remembered watching the people working on wheelchairs at the Utah Assistive Technology Program's lab, he wondered if they could help him find a solution.

"He came in and explained his situation," said Clay Christensen, who coordinates the UATP lab in Logan. He showed Montour some scooters the program had available.

Montour is using one on loan. And now, as he puts it, he is free.

He can go to the library, the Senior Citizens' Center. He shops at the grocery store, and the former chore feels like a privilege.  He's been to the Logan zoo with Common Ground in Logan. He even tosses bread to the duck he's been looking out for--the one who is always at the end of the line, getting picked on by the others.

Recently, he made the trip back to UATP's lab, to tell Christensen how his life had changed. He agreed to share his story.

"If another person can find what I've found... for me it was a reprieve from the destinies that were isolating me," he said.

The difference a wheelchair makes

SALT LAKE CITY--Jennifer Holland's new-to-her wheelchair from the Utah Assistive Technology Program gives her more than the freedom to go to the grocery store. It gives her the strength to shop once she gets there.

"Before, it took so much energy to use my walker to get to the bus stop or whatever, but then I couldn't do anything else. So this is great!"

Jennifer practices wheelchair yoga
on her new-to-her device.

Jennifer embodies the freedom that assistive technology offers people with disabilities. She received her chair after a visit to the Judy Ann Buffmire Building in Salt Lake City, where UATP coordinator Tom Boman worked with her to find the right fit for her needs. Ken Reid of the Utah Center for Assistive Technology also assessed Holland to make sure the chair was right for her.

The chair--like hundreds of others--was donated to UATP, then refurbished in its Salt Lake warehouse. Holland received it after paying a service fee. Typically the fee for a chair is less than an insurance deductible.

After one month in her new wheels, she has more freedom to participate in favorite activities, like wheelchair tennis or other adaptive sports offered through the TRAILS (Technology Recreation Access Independence Lifestyle Sports) program in Salt Lake City.

It also maneuvers over bumps, offering a smooth ride she didn't have before. "I do more now than I did before I accepted [I had] disabilities," she said. "It makes it so I can go places, especially in this particular chair, because it makes the ride so much easier. ... I feel safe."

An added feature doesn't have much to do with mobility, but it adds a lot to Jennifer's quality of life. The chair reclines, making it easier for her read. She can find the right angle, making a favorite activity happen with a lot less strain.

Salt Lake's Utah Assistive Technology Program Coordinator Tom Boman said that soon after he and Ken had assessed Jennifer's needs, the perfect device appeared at the warehouse. It doesn't always happen that way, but when it does, it's a beautiful thing to see.

"It came in, we cleaned it off, put new batteries in it and kicked it out the door," Boman said.

If you need mobility equipment, the Utah Assistive Technology Program can help. Hundreds of people have received wheelchairs, scooters and other devices though UATP's operations in Salt Lake, Logan and the Uintah Basin. The affordable fee-for-service program helps people regardless of whether they have insurance.

To find out more, call 800-524-5152.