Elijah Jack, who is 19 months old, was born with a missing femur bone in one leg and a shortened femur in the other. As a result, he is not able to walk independently like other toddlers his age. Another 19-month-old named Freya Baudoin was born prematurely at 28 weeks and has experienced a delay in her ability to move, but she has recently achieved her first step.

Children with special needs, such as these, typically require more time to achieve independent mobility. This can present challenges for parents and caregivers. Due to his limb difference and clubfeet, Elijah is frequently carried. His feet are curved inward and his toes point downward instead of being straight.

Getting around independently poses a challenge for him.

In the recent Spring, Elijah received a custom-built rolling chair from a group of biomedical engineering students at Tulane University. He has now become proficient in maneuvering the chair, being able to turn, stop, and steer independently.

Crystal Jack, the mother of Elijah, stated, “He has a strong attachment to his chair. This allows me to be more productive, as I know he is secure and capable of navigating the house with it.”

Prior to receiving the chair, Jack mentioned that his son was able to move along the floor to reach his desired destination. However, with the chair, he now has a greater sense of autonomy.

“I am truly grateful to have him,” Jack said with a smile, as he paced around the living room of her mother’s house in Ventress, Louisiana.

In 2022, Tulane students collaborated with the nonprofit organization MakeGood to create chairs that would aid toddlers (between the ages of 1-4) in developing independence and physical strength. These chairs also served as a preparation for potential use of actual wheelchairs. Although it is challenging to obtain exact statistics on the number of children who use wheelchairs, the US Census reported approximately 2.8 million wheelchair users in the United States in 2002, with 121,000 being under the age of 15.

MakeGood is the coordinator for TOM Global in the New Orleans area. TOM Global is a nonprofit organization based in Israel that uses modern design and digital manufacturing to address the unmet needs of individuals with disabilities and limitations. The acronym TOM stands for Tikkun Olam, which translates to “repairing the world” in Hebrew.

As part of a service-learning project, which is a requirement for graduation at Tulane, the students collaborated with nonprofits. However, several students were surprised by the significant impact their efforts had on the lives of children in the community.

Dylan Lucia, a graduate student at Tulane from the San Diego, California area, said he chose the field of biomedical engineering to help people and this project has manifested that.

“Lucia expressed how heartwarming it was to witness the impact of these chairs on patients’ lives and their journey towards independence. Even as young children, the difference it made was evident through direct feedback from patients.”

The chairs are especially beneficial for families with children who will eventually require wheelchairs. Noam Platt, director of MakeGood, explained that insurance providers typically do not cover the expense of a wheelchair for a child unless there is substantial proof that the child can utilize it properly.

Platt stated that these instruments are utilized to produce proof that the individuals’ standard of living will be enhanced, potentially allowing them to obtain longer-lasting assistive technology.

Freya’s chair was one of five made throughout several weekends early this fall at Tulane’s Scot Ackerman MakerSpace, an enormous workshop with laser cutters, 3D printers and drilling and sewing equipment.

The students attached padding and safety straps to the chairs and made adjustments for the specific needs of the children who would be using them. For example, Freya’s chair needed a larger strap to better support her torso, while another child required enough space behind their chair to accommodate a breathing vent. Additionally, a bar was installed on the back of Freya’s chair so she could maneuver it like a stroller. Thanks to her physical therapist and her customized chair, Freya was able to take her first steps in December.

There is currently no information on the duration of time that Freya will need to utilize the chair, but her mother has expressed that it has been an incredibly beneficial and helpful tool.

Heather Hampton, from Metairie, Louisiana, shared that initially they believed her daughter’s ankle muscles were not strong enough for her to walk, but the neurologists have now informed them that her progress is positive and she will soon be able to walk independently or with minimal help.

Hampton stated that Freya is capable of propelling the chair independently, similar to a stroller. He expressed a desire for them to have acquired it earlier, but acknowledges the necessary modifications that had to be done.

Hampton expressed her joy that she will eventually be able to move and walk on her own.

Platt stated that the initial concept and blueprints for the mobility chairs were provided by TOM Global, but the necessary components were either bought in the United States or created and assembled manually at Tulane University. The wooden panels utilized for the chair’s structure were cut with a laser and then sanded by students to ensure a smooth finish and prevent splinters. Students also sewed fabric cushions and inserted padding for the seats. The wheels were procured through online purchase and then securely attached to the chairs.

Since the end of March, Elijah has been using his chair. It was one of the first 10 chairs delivered to pediatric patients for use during occupational and physical therapy sessions.

Jack stated that Elijah’s chair helps him feel like he can be up and moving like other children, despite his disability. Jack also mentioned that Elijah will likely require some form of assistance for mobility for the remainder of his life.

After receiving feedback from parents in the first round, the latest batch of chairs now have bumpers attached to the bottom front. This was done to prevent damage to both the furniture and their children’s feet as they improved their speed and skill in using the chairs.

According to Platt, there have been two rounds completed for the construction of chairs, resulting in the distribution of 15 chairs. However, they hope to provide an additional 10 to 15 chairs by Spring 2024.

“We collaborate with our healthcare partners to identify suitable candidates for these devices,” he stated. “We collaborate with the medical team to ensure that each chair is tailored to the individual’s needs and make any necessary adjustments.”

According to Platt, the production cost for the chairs was under $200 each. Despite being given to patients for free, this price is significantly lower than that of most pediatric and electric-powered wheelchairs, which can cost thousands of dollars.

According to Platt, the chairs created by students have a playful appearance and texture that differs from traditional hospital equipment. They are designed to be lightweight and simple to move.

Platt expressed his desire for the chairs to be produced in high schools and colleges nationwide.

“I advise the students I work with that this is merely the start,” stated Platt. “I aim to broaden their perspective towards a lifelong enthusiasm for addressing these issues because once they are aware of the problems and their magnitude, they cannot be disregarded.”