The smiles that beamed across the faces of Dillon Mitchell, Marlana Simms and Dan Raubuck were worth more than the final grades awarded for three design projects completed this spring by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology mechanical engineering students.

Three devices were constructed over the course of 20 weeks, completely from scratch, to help make life easier for children and teenagers who suffer disabling ailments that restrict normal body movements.

The Modified Quad Crutch pediatric therapy device allows for Dillon Mitchell, 6, of Terre Haute, Ind., to walk without direct assistance from physical therapists or his parents. It was produced by recent graduates Jennifer Anderson, Brandon Cushman, Meryl Dillon and Matthew King.

Mitchell suffers from arthrogryposis, a congenital disease in which children are born with stiff joints and weak muscles. He was separated at the colon shortly after birth from his twin brother, Landon. Mitchell's weak arms restricted his ability to complete therapy exercises at Terre Haute Physical Therapy.

Modified Quad Crutch Utilizes Wheels

The device utilizes four tiny wheels to support Mitchell's legs while walking – without assistance from therapists – during his physical therapy. He quickly has learned how to use the crutch, walking more than 100 feet during one session.

"I didn't think he would be going that fast and that far on the first day," stated Anderson. "We knew that Dillon would work hard at it during his physical therapy. I'm delighted that it is accomplishing all of our design goals and that it is going to help Dillon's physical development."

"He wants to walk so bad," added Dillon's mother, Gwenda. "I've been patiently waiting for him to have a way to walk around. This device answers our prayers."

Dillon's physical therapist Martha Sullivan added, "Not all vendors have the means and the patience to adapt a device to meet the needs of one child. That's what makes this so unique. The Rose-Hulman students took the time to learn what Dillon needed. Then they came up with a prototype that worked, but needed some modifications. The final product is just great."

Eventually, the device will allow Mitchell to walk around his school classroom or house. The crutch currently stands at 24 inches tall, but will be adjustable up to 32 inches as Mitchell grows physically.

"Our final project presentation (for grading) was a week before we finally presented the crutch to Dillon," noted Cushman. "It still needed modifications. We could have stopped after receiving our final grade, but we didn't want to disappoint Dillon. We wanted to satisfy our client."

Device Helps With Transfer from Wheelchair

Meanwhile, Marlana Simms, 13, of Clinton, Ind., suffers from cerebral palsy. She needed a simple table-like mechanical device that would help her transfer from a wheelchair to a nearby desk, chair or bed – movements that had been completed by being picked up by her parents, physical therapists or teachers. This lifting has become more strenuous as Simms has grown.

"After being in the wheelchair most of my life, I cherish those opportunities to be out of the chair," Simms said.

Rose-Hulman students Travis Eisenhour, Adam Keown, Jennifer Klingenberg, Gordon Thompson and Casper Wright designed a padded device that allows Simms to lift herself out of the wheelchair and then swivel to the new seating position. It is adjustable to account for future physical growth, is padded and covered in an eye-appealing cloth, and is collapsible for easy storage under a bed or in a family van.

Simms giggled and couldn't wait to demonstrate the device during a classroom presentation. "It's just what I wanted," she said. "Thank you."

That reaction was reflected across the faces of the Rose-Hulman students. "After seeing Marlana it was hard not to get personally drawn into the project. It became a mission for us," Klingenberg said. "We owed it to her to design something that would make a difference in her life." Wright added, "You quickly learn that the final project grade isn't important. It's helping others, and playing a small role in making a difference in their life, that means everything."

Wheelchair Device Improves Swimming Pool Accessibility for Disabled Middle-Schoolers

Four Rose-Hulman students also retrofitted a wheelchair to improve indoor swimming pool accessibility for disabled children participating in physical education classes at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Terre Haute. The device will increase valuable swimming time, improve physical therapy and improve self-esteem, according to teacher Dan Raubuck. It will be used when school resumes in the fall.

"Swimming is one of the few physical activities that allows these children to get out of the wheelchair," said Rose-Hulman student Bryce Clark. "Every minute in the pool is important. Our device should increase their aquatic experiences and allow teachers to have more meaningful time in the pool with each student." The device adapts elements of a collapsible lawn chair, pvc pipe, a polyurethane reinforced yoga mat and a seat cushion.

"The Rose-Hulman student team did a wonderful job incorporating our needs into a finished product," assessed Raubuck. "They showed that the process of developing a new product is sometimes complicated, but works."

Once again, the project brought personal rewards for Rose-Hulman students. "It's a great feeling to help another person that's less fortunate. You learn to appreciate those gifts that you have and don't get bothered by other things. There are people that are less fortunate," stated Rich Thacker. "This was the best experience of my college years. I just wish I could have done more projects like this."

Ryan Crisel and Eric Soller assisted on the project, one of 30 completed this year for industry clients, engineering competitions, local schools or health care agencies. The list of clients included Delco Remy, Cummins Engine, Caterpillar, Raytheon, Rolls-Royce and Dana Corporation. Professors Darrell Gibson and Patricia Brackin supervise the senior design program.