Gym teacher prints 3D device for his disabled students

This recreation device which enables disabled children to better engage with bowling, soccer and other physical activities. The Overcomer is a versatile physical activity system that is able to operate with a multitude of different manual and power wheelchairs, walkers, standers, and gait trainers. The interchangeable sport and gaming attachments make it possible for users to participate in a number of fitness and health-related activities and transition from one to the next quickly and easily.

This device can connect to a wheelchair, braces, walker or gate trainer, and has seven different attachments for various sports. The teacher spent two months in his garage building the device.

Kabes has no experience regarding 3D printed or making inventions, but he’s familiar with the human body and its limitations.

”In physical education, when there's individuals in wheelchairs and things like that, it presents challenges trying to have them be as included as the general population," Kabes said. “Most individuals take for granted the ability to kick a soccer ball or to dribble a basketball.”

In order to generate funds for The Overcomer, the gym teacher has started a GoFundMe campaign. Kabes has set a target of $30,000, to pay for a patent, attorney fees and a 3D print of his prototype. If everything goes smoothly, he plans to use the remaining funds to mass produce the first run of devices.

“The Overcomer was developed to ensure that my students with Cerebral Palsy and ambulatory needs felt successful, engaged, and empowered. I quickly realized that there isn’t a wide range of equipment options for individuals with special needs, especially those in walkers, standers, wheel chairs and gait trainers”, the inventor explained.

More info: https://www.gofundme.com/TheOvercomer

Adapted from: http://bit.ly/2faNaPU

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