Monthly Archives: January 2019

Extended Family Ties

1 Reply

by Jeanine Johnson

Over the holidays I gave a lot of thought to family. The definition of family in many legal contexts denotes “individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption” but there’s other definitions that are broader, encompassing groups of individuals not related by these things. At Easterseals we embody the broader meaning. I am entering my 4th year of employment with Easterseals and the past 3 years have been wonderful. I have had many challenges which have been outweighed by unexpected and welcomed joys. I truly feel that my family has been extended by the relationships I have developed with some of the families here at Easterseals.

One of the things that gave my holiday season a great start was hearing from the family of one of my favorite students that no longer attend Easterseals, Maximo! I received updated pictures of him and his family, which show how much he has grown, and information on all his progress over the last year. They could be crowned one of the cutest families ever and I feel blessed that they have continued to let me, in some small way, be a part of his life!

Over the holiday break I met up with one of my other favorite graduates, Mung. My daughter Autumn and I had the pleasure of spending time with him at the Academy of Natural Sciences. His mother doesn’t mind that we steal him away for a few hours. It is so nice to see that his indomitable spirit is still fully intact, that he is adjusting to the change in schools and making progress both physically and academically. I enjoy outings with Mung because he has a sense of humor and sarcasm that is way beyond his years. He is one of the brightest and most intelligent children I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We always have a good time and he is always saddened, with tears flowing, by our departure. I assured him that as long as he will have us, we will be around!

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I love, love, love the fact that at Easterseals, regardless of your position, you have the option to be as involved with the children as you choose (well, as much as your workflow allows). I am not part of the classroom staff but I was gifted with the opportunity to accompany the Owls class on their annual trip to the light shows at both the Comcast Center and Macy’s and then the Dickens House exhibit. I was paired up with another cutie, Naji, who has fast become one of my favorites. Wait, should I be saying that? Oh, well. In actuality, I have a lot of cuties that I adore who visit me every day! Every year brings opportunities for new connections. I have daily reminders of why what I do matters!

I have come to understand how my mother, a mother of 8, still had room in her heart and life for the ton of other children that referred to her as mom. Families can be comprised of the truly invaluable relationships one builds throughout life, and love truly has no limits.

Maker Spaces Launched at Easterseals SE PA with Workshops

Leave a reply

by Sandy Masayko

The Assistive Technology Department, working in collaboration with our grant funder Comcast and our community partners Science Leadership Academy, Drexel University, Project Vive and MakerBot, is excited to report that our development of Maker Spaces at Easterseals SE PA is well underway! This project consists of two parts: Education of Easterseals staff and local high school student education to provide the basis for creation of Assistive Technology (AT); and setting up maker spaces at each Easterseals SE PA approved private school. The maker spaces will be supplied with 3D printers, soldering kits, moldable plastics, tools, and more. But before anyone can use this new high tech equipment, they need to learn how to design solutions to meet needs and the basics of use of the tools. To meet this need, the AT Department organized two workshops in the fall.

Workshop 1 was held at Drexel University’s Westphal College of Design in September and focused on 3D printing. After a review of AT by Sandy Masayko and an overview of the multiple use of 3D printers by Laurie McGowan, Laura Slatkoff shared her personal experiences in discovering 3D printing and using it to make a customized keyguard for a student. Marcia Leinweber introduced step by step instructions for Computer Assisted Design. Mary Elizabeth McCulloch of Project Vive presented concepts to consider in the design process. The thirty participants then got to work on their shared computers to design the top of a switch. AT Staff members, assisted by Science Leadership Academy (SLA) students who were familiar with 3D design, coached the participants. During the workshop, the SLA students increased their knowledge of AT, and they also videoed and photographed the workshop. At the end of the workshop, Easterseals staff members had homework to complete over the two months before the next workshop: participants were asked to finish their designs and email them to Marcia for printing on the Makerbot 3D printer.

The next workshop, held at SLA in November, allowed the participants to complete their design by constructing a switch for AT. Switch assembly necessitated soldering and wiring of the switch, activities taught by Mary Elizabeth and Joey McCulloch from Project Vive. The participants also learned what tools were in the Maker Spaces and how to use them. Laurie McGowan led participants in creating battery interrupters that can be used to enable toys and devices to be activated with a switch. Sandy introduced how to use a moldable plastic that can be used to create adaptations. As with the first workshop, the SLA students proved to be great coaches to ES staff members as they learned to wire and solder.

Response by the staff to the workshop was overwhelmingly positive. In our pre and post testing for each workshop, the staff members indicated that they significantly increased their knowledge of AT, 3 D printing and tools for creating solutions for people with disabilities. The next phase of the project will be establishment of the Maker Spaces at each approved private school sites. We can’t wait to see what our staff will create!

Classroom space donated by Drexel University Westphal College provided an ideal location for participants to engage in education and design. (Workshop 1)
Occupational Therapist Laura Slotkoff displaying keyguards she created through 3D printing. (Workshop 1)
Participants collaborated on Computer Assisted Design following a guide developed by Marcia Leinweber. (Workshop 1)
SLA students and teachers provided coaching to Easterseals staff to design switch tops. (Workshop 1)
In Workshop 2 participants learned about materials that would be in their Maker Spaces.
Mary Elizabeth from Project Vive taught soldering and switch assembly to ES staff members in Workshop 2.
SLA students coached ES therapists.
Laurie McGowan taught participants how to make a battery interrupter in Workshop 2.
Therapists learned to use moldable plastic to adapt devices and handles.
Success! The battery interrupter and switch work!