Embedded Files
Introduction
In our secondary research, we developed a better understanding of cerebral palsy and how it affects individuals. In order to come up with a precise project definition and a better understanding of how to help our individual user, we conducted an interview with our project partners, Walter Guminiak and Valerie Pech. This interview helped us establish a better understanding of how cerebral palsy affects our user as well as a better picture of how the user would potentially use the product.
Methodology
We interviewed Walter and Valerie, physical therapists at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The interview was scheduled for Friday, April 8th, 2022 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm over Zoom.
Our team prepared questions before the interview. We sent them out to Walter and Valerie beforehand per their request and Walter answered all of the original questions we had so in the interview we asked for follow-up and clarifying questions. Matthew Kim and Luke Lattyak took notes while Owen O’Brien was tasked with asking the questions. We started the interview with introductions of the team members.
Results
All of our questions were asked, and we learned about the physical characteristics of the user and how they are affected by cerebral palsy. In Walter’s email responses there were a few medical abbreviations that Owen was able to clarify in the zoom interview. Two medical abbreviations that are helpful for understanding the user’s condition were LUE, which is Left upper extremity, and LLE, which means left lower extremity The goal of the project was established by Walter to be a device(s) that would support and assist the user from falling out of his bed when sitting on the edge of the bed.
Safety and ease of use were established to be key aspects to keep in mind when designing and researching a solution to our user’s problems. Walter also stressed the importance of designing a solution that the user can use independently because of their current living situation. The user lives with his elderly mother who is also experiencing mobility issues and can not physically help him. The user has a caregiver that comes in the morning to help dress but does not stay past then.
We then discussed current solutions and model products with Walter and got his feedback on each idea.
Walter shared that the bed chair idea sits on the side of the bed and slides around so it needs something to help stabilize it. Walter stated it would not stop the user from sliding off the bed but could be combined with a belt to help the user not fall off.
The next product presented was the bed wedge which was found to not be a viable option because the user has lower back pain. If they were to use the bed wedge, their hip flexors would tense up which would cause lower back pain.
The next product was the bed rail, which the user already has a smaller version of. It has helped them from sliding at times but only when they were awake and had time to grab on to it.
Conclusion
Our project partner interview clarified how cerebral palsy affects individuals and how our user is personally affected by it. Walter and Valerie helped explain how our user currently sits in bed and how they slide out and fall out of bed as well as established core principles that will need to be taken into consideration when designing our solution. Those principles are safety, ease of use, and independence. More primary research will be conducted in order to further our understanding of the problem and what is the best way to solve it. Currently, more interviews with the project partner and user are planned as well as observing the user through photos and videos
Page updated
Report abuse