Positivity: Teen Uses Bubble Wrap to Aid Amputees
From Nashville, TN, a six month-old story that shouldn’t be missed (HT Daily Good e-mail):
01-30-07 at 7:12AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Grayson Rosenberger often marveled at his parents’ work with prosthetic patients in Africa and wondered how he could contribute to their effort. The 15-year-old from Nashville finally found a way, and it was recognized Monday as the grand prize winner in Sealed Air Corp.’s inaugural Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.
Rosenberger used Bubble Wrap brand packing material to develop a cost-effective cosmetic skin covering for prosthetic limbs. Later this year, he plans to visit Ghana with his parents to fit some patients with his low-cost invention.
“I’m very honored and excited,” Rosenberger said by telephone Monday a few minutes before taping the “The Today Show.” “It gives me an opportunity to do something with my invention.”
Rosenberger was one of about 800 students who entered the contest challenging students in grades 5 through 8 to develop inventions that incorporate Bubble Wrap. Officials said judging was based on originality, creativity, usefulness, benefit to society, marketability and feasibility, as well as overall presentation.
Rosenberger was able to turn a basic artificial leg into a more realistic one using a heat gun to mold Bubble Wrap cushioning around the steel rod of a prosthetic limb to give it muscle-like tone and shape. He said his invention should benefit amputees in Africa who are viewed strangely because they have to “walk around with an open metal rod” as a leg.
“They’re looked at freakishly,” Rosenberger said. “I hope this will let them walk out their door and feel normal.”
Rosenberger’s invention costs a fraction of the $1,000 patients must pay for other prosthetic covers…..
Go here for the rest of the story.
