It Was The Freak'n Padding

Since I got the new brush holder for my head stick, it seemed top heavy and I knew I had to get it fix before the 30th. Thanks to Susan at KKI, She was able to slip me in for a late Friday afternoon appointment.  The idea of my head stick being top heavy was only the tip of the problem, because every time I would lean forward the whole thing would slide off my head.  Even after Susan moved the top piece backward to balance the weight it would still slide around on my head.

The  next idea that Susan had was to change the foam padding inside and that fixed the problem.  She gave me thicker foam that took the shape of my head that created just enough friction to hold my head stick in place.  I wonder when I go bald headed, we might have line the inside with dycem.

Dycem- Used by many occupational therapists, physical therapists and healthcare professionals as an effective anti-slip.

New Painting Headstick is Complete

I would like to take this time to thank V-LINC, especial John for helping me getting back on track  with the painting attachment.  It really saves me a lot of time, frustration, tape and give me my independence. Without this piece each time I want a different brush, I would have to wait for someone to tape it to  the stick. This piece is a very priceless part of my creative process. Some of my professors and producers would it looks to clean to be mine, come on get to work!

Thank You,
Dan

Talk About Double Whammy

Some how in our last move, I lost my painting head-stick. This was a double lost, because not only the head-stick was custom made, but also the brush holder on the goes on top too.  They each were design by difference places. My head-sticks have been made by an OT at Kennedy Krieger since forever. Up until 2004, when I wanted to use a different brush I had to wait for someone to change it for me. They had to un-tape one brush and re-tape another brush to the stick.

Then I was introduced to the wonderful people at VME, now V-LINC who volunteer their time to design equipment to make life a bit easier for the disabled. I knew it would be sample to get a new head-stick base from KKI. In fact, they can use the measurements for my lost visit and mail a new base to me.

When I contact V-LINK to get a new brush holder, this would be more challenging. It has been 9 years since the piece was designed and the person that I worked with move out of town.  They could not find my file; it was looking like the design process was going to start from scratch.

Some times it does pay to save years and years of emails, because I was able to find the designers email but it did not work. Being that we live in this wonderful world of social networks, I found him on Facebook.  He offered to call V-LINC and fill them in on the design on the holder. The ball is rolling down for a strike and is not going into the gutter.

Head Stick, Head Pointer

I often received questions about my Head Sticks, where did I get them, how did I start using them? I think I was about 7, or 8 when I first used a headstick. Back then they were hand made, even 32 years later I still get it specially made at Kennedy Krieger Institute, in the OT Department.

I did a search online and this is what I found, I cannot say what one would work the best.
http://www.disabledonline.com/products/direct-products/alt-input-devices/headeye-controlled-input/adjustable-head-pointer/
http://www.wisdomking.com/headpointers

People have asked, how to get a headstick for a student, or client. If they can’t pay for it out of pocket, or even know that the person would be able to use it, the first would be to work with an occupational therapist. I do not know how it compares to using a mouthstick, since I cannot keep my mouth closed to use one.

15 Lives Later Follw Up

Brooke and I got off to a late start on Friday, plus the traffic was insane.  If there was not roadwork, it was an accident. So we got to Kennedy Krieger institute an hour late.  From the start, we were working against the clock since Brooke had to work that night.  While we were waiting a Spanish mother comes in with her two boys.

The older boy was about 5 and kept looking at me like what the...  At first I had my back to the family and Brooke was enjoy the faces that the boy was making.  I turned around and put my hand out so he could give me five.

We finally went back with Susan to start working on the new head sticks.  Time starts flying by and only one head stick is partly done.  Brooke and I start thinking of alternative plans. Maybe I could stay and Wifey picks me up later.

We told Susan of our dilemma, it so happen that her daughter was in a holiday program by our house.  Susan offered to drop the head sticks by our house after the program.  I went a head and road to work with Brooke and Wifey picked me up from there.

Sure enough Susan comes by our house at 11:30 and it fit as soon as I put the head stick on!!!!

15 Lives Later

Tomorrow I am going to get new head sticks, the last I got new one was in ’05, or ’06.  I also wait until they are totally trashed and held together with tape plus cardboard. This drives Brooke and Wifey crazy.  It is like turning in your car for a new one.  The less you get for trade in, the more of a badge of honor it is.

When I do get new head stick, there is a breaking period. As when people need to use their favorite pen.  This is the first time both of my head sticks broke, or fell at the same time.  That is why part of it is purple, Brooke and I took two head sticks and made one.  Glue would not hold alone, so we added the plastic ties too.

It we kept adding plastic ties; I could look like those guys from High Lander 2.  The 2 guys with the porcupine hair on the flying “skateboards”. As always Camden has to check out everything I do.