Projects – May We Help

ProjectsKaty Collura2022-08-24T15:08:00-04:00

These are just a sampling of the hundreds of devices May We Help volunteers design, build
and deliver at no cost to hundreds of recipients every year!

may_we_help

Gabriel loves to ride his bike but his feet slip o

Gabriel loves to ride his bike but his feet slip off the peddles. So May We Help volunteers attached heel cups to the pedals and now Gabriel is experiencing all the joys and benefits of biking!

#cp #cpmoms #cerebralpalsylove #cerebralpalsyawarenessmonth #cerebralpalsyawarness #cerebralpalsy #cerebralpalsyawareness #cerebralpalsykids #cerebralpalsywarrior #cerebralpalsymom #cerebralpalsystrong #cerebralpalsyalliance #cerebralpalsylife #bikelife #bike #bikeride #bikelove #bikelovers #biking #bikingbrotherhood #bicycle #bicycles #bicyclelife

Emmett uses a portable ventilator but it’s heavy

Emmett uses a portable ventilator but it’s heavy and keeps him from moving independently and fully participating in therapy activities. His therapy team tried an IV pole but it was too tippy, so next they tried a scooter board but it was too low to the ground and presented a hazard for other children in Emmet’s therapy group. So May We Help volunteers made this portable cart, and now Emmett can move freely, even while using his IV at home through his port.

#ivport #cp #cpmoms #metabolicdisease #mitochondria #hepatopatias #trach #trachbaby #trachcart #ventilator #portableventilator #pt #physicaltherapy #physicaltherapist #physicaltherapystudent #physicaltherapyassistant #physicaltherapylife #therapyactivities

Amias and his family love to play, do sensory acti

Amias and his family love to play, do sensory activities, and read, but Amias is unable to sit without support, and all too often he and his family were interacting laying down. So May We Help volunteers made this activity chair, and now Amias can sit upright with his family while they spend time together!

#cerebralpalsyawarness #cerebralpalsy #cerebralpalsykids #cpawarenessmonth #cpmom #cpmoms #hydrocephalus #activitychair #play #read #sensoryplay #sensoryactivity #sensoryplayideas

The @cincyicebreakers provide adaptive ice hockey

The @cincyicebreakers provide adaptive ice hockey for people with disabilities, and May We Help volunteers assist in all sorts of ways!

For example, the bigger players (200+ pounds) were requiring a 2-man lift to transfer them from their wheelchair to their sled and back, but that was cumbersome at best. So May We Help volunteers created a transfer device that allows players to transfer themselves!

And for some of the little guys, May We Help volunteers modified gloves for those whose condition was keeping them from fitting their fingers into standard gloves.

And for seasonal play, May We Help retrofitted 15 ice sleds to roller hockey sleds!

#adaptiveicehockey #adaptivehockey #adaptive #adaptiveathlete #adaptation #adaptivesports #adaptivesport #icehockey #rollerhockey #rollerhockeypassion #disabledhockey #disabledicehockey #hockey #hockeylife #hockeyplayer #hockeytime

Sierra is growing up and it’s getting more and m

Sierra is growing up and it’s getting more and more difficult to lift her onto her changing table. So May We Help volunteers added a seated lift between the cabinets that hold her clothes, and now changing isn’t such a big deal for Sierra and her family!

#changingtable #changingtables #caregiver #caregiving #caregivers #caregivingtips #caregivinglife #caregiverstress #caregiverburnout #caregiverspace #cerebralpalsylove #cerebralpalsystrong #cerebralpalsy #cpmom #cp #cpmoms #microcephaly #microcephalyawareness #microcephalywarrior #epilepsy #seizures #seizuredisorder #seizuredisorders #WhyIMake

Iris plays the cello with her feet but – before

Iris plays the cello with her feet but – before her orchestra teacher contacted May We Help – she was struggling with the right setup. They were using a yoga mat to try to secure the cello but it kept rocking back and forth, and the bow was uncomfortable to hold and limited her motion. So May We Help volunteers made this base and bow holder, and now Iris is celebrating the holidays with her fellow musicians!

#limbdifference #limbdifferenceawareness #limbdifferent #limbdifferences #limbdifferencepride #limbdifferentnotdisabled #limbdifferencecommunity #amputee #amputeegirl #amputeelife #amputees #cello #çello #celloplayer #adaptivemusic #adaptivemusician #adaptivemusiclessons #orchestra #orchestralife #composer #musicteacher #musicteachers #musicteachersofinstagram #musicteacherlife #musicteachersrock #musicteaching

Colton rides a bike with training wheels, but he’s growing and the bigger bikes don’t come with training wheels! It’s also tough at times for Colton to keep his feet on the training wheels. So volunteers from @mcnicholashs, working alongside May We Help volunteers, customized this bike in time for it to be a surprise Christmas gift for Colton!

#christmas #christmaspresents #christmasgifts #christmaspresent #christmasgift #bikelife #bikelifestyle #adaptivebike #adaptivebikes #trainingwheels #cpmom #cp #cerebralpalsylove #cerebralpalsy #cerebralpalsykids #cerebralpalsywarrior #cpkids #cpkidsrock

Kellen loves to play the trumpet but has to hold i

Kellen loves to play the trumpet but has to hold it with just one hand, which isn’t easy. So May We Help volunteers made this stand, and now Kellen can focus on the music instead of his grip! #music #adaptivemusic #musician #musiclover #trumpet #trumpetplayer #trumpetplayers #cp #cerebralpalsy #cerebralpalsylove #cerebralpalsystrong #cerebralpalsykids #stroke #cvi

Owen needed a way to be independently mobile and l

Owen needed a way to be independently mobile and low to the ground in order that he can explore toys and interact with his family. So May We Help volunteers made this custom wheelchair, which is lightweight and provides head and trunk support, and now Owen is playing with his toys, his brother, friends, and the family cats!

#maywehelp #independence #mobility #lowmuscletone #wheelchair #wheelchairgirl #wheelchairlife #wheelchairs #wheelchairuser #wheelchairforkids #hydrocephalus #cerebralpalsy #hypotoniccerebralpalsy #hypotonic

Bennett tends not to interact with his toys unless

Bennett tends not to interact with his toys unless he’s bouncing in a bouncer, surrounded by familiar toys that he’s learned well. But he’s outgrown his old bouncer, so May We Help volunteers built Bennett this new one, which accommodates his favorite toys, and now Bennett’s playing upright again!

#nonverbal #nonmobile #corticalvisualimpairment #corticalvisionimpairment #bouncy #bouncychair #toys

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is through play. But kids with disabilities often don’t have the fine motor skills needed to use the toys designed for their age group, and this can leave a huge gap in their development.

May We Help’s Tinkered Toy Box solves this problem by providing FREE switch-adapted toys to children for the holidays. Last year, we didn’t anticipate just how many requests we would get, but this year – with the help of our partners – we were ready and distributed adapted toys to over 200 families!

May We Help purchased the toys and held numerous “build days” in preparation. During the build days, volunteers took toys that rely on cranks, levers or dials, and modified them so they can be activated with the gentle push of a button.

But we’d never have been able to meet the need if it weren’t for the support of the community!

@mcnicholashs students and alumni, and @fifththirdbank employees, helped transform the May We Help workshop into Santa’s workshop! @milfordhseagles students held a toy drive and purchased 60 toys which they also adapted.

Employees from @grouphowden and @prospiant_inc adapted toys.

@tirediscounters ran a store-wide campaign to raise money to help purchase toys, and The Deerfield Partnership Foundation was instrumental in ensuring that May We Help had the funds to purchase not just the toys but the materials needed to adapt them!

#adaptedtoys #switchadaptedtoys #christmas #christmasspirit #holidayspirit #disability #toys #santa #santaswonderland #santasworkshop #santaselves #christmasvolunteering

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is through play. But kids with disabilities often don’t have the fine motor skills needed to use the toys designed for their age group, and this can leave a huge gap in their development.

May We Help’s Tinkered Toy Box solves this problem by providing FREE switch-adapted toys to children for the holidays. Last year, we didn’t anticipate just how many requests we would get, but this year – with the help of our partners – we were ready and distributed adapted toys to over 200 families!

May We Help purchased the toys and held numerous “build days” in preparation. During the build days, volunteers took toys that rely on cranks, levers or dials, and modified them so they can be activated with the gentle push of a button.

But we’d never have been able to meet the need if it weren’t for the support of the community!

@mcnicholashs students and alumni, and @fifththirdbank employees, helped transform the May We Help workshop into Santa’s workshop! @milfordhseagles students held a toy drive and purchased 60 toys which they also adapted.

Employees from @grouphowden and @prospiant_inc adapted toys.

@tirediscounters ran a store-wide campaign to raise money to help purchase toys, and The Deerfield Partnership Foundation was instrumental in ensuring that May We Help had the funds to purchase not just the toys but the materials needed to adapt them!

#adaptedtoys #switchadaptedtoys #christmas #christmasspirit #holidayspirit #disability #toys #santa #santaswonderland #santasworkshop #santaselves #christmasvolunteering

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is

Before they turn school age, the way kids learn is through play. But kids with disabilities often don’t have the fine motor skills needed to use the toys designed for their age group, and this can leave a huge gap in their development.

May We Help’s Tinkered Toy Box solves this problem by providing FREE switch-adapted toys to children for the holidays. Last year, we didn’t anticipate just how many requests we would get, but this year – with the help of our partners – we were ready and distributed adapted toys to over 200 families!

May We Help purchased the toys and held numerous “build days” in preparation. During the build days, volunteers took toys that rely on cranks, levers or dials, and modified them so they can be activated with the gentle push of a button.

But we’d never have been able to meet the need if it weren’t for the support of the community!

@mcnicholashs students and alumni, and @fifththirdbank employees, helped transform the May We Help workshop into Santa’s workshop! @milfordhseagles students held a toy drive and purchased 60 toys which they also adapted.

Employees from @grouphowden and @prospiant_inc adapted toys.

@tirediscounters ran a store-wide campaign to raise money to help purchase toys, and The Deerfield Partnership Foundation was instrumental in ensuring that May We Help had the funds to purchase not just the toys but the materials needed to adapt them!

#adaptedtoys #switchadaptedtoys #christmas #christmasspirit #holidayspirit #disability #toys #santa #santaswonderland #santasworkshop #santaselves #christmasvolunteering

In addition to Elisabeth and Erin’s backpack sol

In addition to Elisabeth and Erin’s backpack solution providing a way for them to continue hiking together, it came in handy during Blink too! Elisabeth was able to see and interact with everything, compared to when she’s in her wheelchair, the crowds are rough, and she can’t see!

#blink #blinkcincinnati #blinkcincinnati2022

Following up on the previous post, this is Erin hi

Following up on the previous post, this is Erin hiking with her sister, Elisabeth! In the previous post, Erin was accidentally cited as Elisabeth’s brother!

Elisabeth’s favorite activity is hiking with her

Elisabeth’s favorite activity is hiking with her older brother, Erin. In fact, they’ve been hiking together since they were kids. When Elisabeth was little, she’d sit in a kid’s backpack which Erin hoisted on to their dad's back, and the family hiked Glacier National Park, Jasper Canada, Yosemite, the White Mountains, Shenandoah, everywhere! Hiking is Elisabeth’s happy place, for sure!

Over time, though, the family’s roles evolved. Erin took over carrying Elisabeth, and Dad would hoist Elisabeth on to Erin’s back. But now, since Elisabeth has grown and Dad isn’t always available, it's impossible for Erin to get Elisabeth on to his back by himself.

So May We Help volunteers designed this solution which utilizes the family’s pickup truck! It eliminates anyone having to do any lifting at all, and now Elisabeth and Erin are back to hiking together again!

#hiking #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #hikingculture #hikinglife #hikingday #hikingadventure #hikingday #hikingtrip #hikingaddict #hikingviews #hikinggear #hikinggirls #hikinggirl #hikingtime #hikingvibes #hikinglifestyle #adaptivehiking #adaptivehiker #disabledhikers #disabledhiker #backpack #backpacking #backpackinglife #backpackinggear #backpackingculture

#Repost @tirediscounters with @use.repost
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How sweet is this?! Lincoln came into our store with his piggy bank in hand! He said he wanted others to have toys too. Thanks to Lincoln, another child will get a toy this Christmas! Stop into one our our stores now through this Saturday and support our partnership with @may_we_help, an organization that helps children with disabilities get modified toys made just for them. It's part of our #GivingTuesday week. Thanks Lincoln, you are an inspiration of generosity!

Riglee’s family loves to hike and be outdoors, b

Riglee’s family loves to hike and be outdoors, but as Riglee gets bigger and less tolerant of a carrier, they needed a solution to continue exploring nature together. Riglee requires a 5 point harness, and head and neck support, so May We Help volunteers made this access device that is super lightweight and assembles and disassembles in just minutes.

#hiking #hikingadventures #hikingculture #hikinggirl #outdoors #outdoorslife #outdoor #outdoorliving #outdoorlife #outdoorlifestyle #nature #naturelovers #naturelover #naturelove #adaptiveoutdoorz #adaptiveoutdoors #adaptivehiking #adaptivesports #assist #assistdevice

#Repost @prospiant_inc with @use.repost ・・・

#Repost @prospiant_inc with @use.repost
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Last week, for the final volunteer event of our 6 Weeks of Giving, the Cincinnati team supported @may_we_help. This organization helps to design, build, and deliver custom devices or toys to children/adults with disabilities who are looking to achieve independence or pursue their passion.

The volunteer team built a solution (by working with families to deliver a product), developed Tinker Toys (by altering everyday toys with a button to create a toy that a child with mobility issues can play with), and helped transform the May We Help office into Santa’s Workshop!

This was such a fun volunteer opportunity, and we look forward to a continued partnership to help the local community.

Brent’s done 90% of the cooking for 30+ years. T

Brent’s done 90% of the cooking for 30+ years. Then a stroke left one of his arms virtually useless, and with just one hand, he couldn’t hold bowls, pots, pans or cans to completely empty them. So May We Help volunteers made this device that can hold various size kitchen implements!

#adaptivecooking #cooking #cookingathome #cookingclass #homecooking #cookingwithdisabilities #cookingwithlove #cookingclass #cookingtips #cookingwithlove❤️ #cookinglife #cookinghealthy #adaptivekitchentools #disabledchef #cook #cooking #cookingchallenge

Kathleen loves the beach but hasn’t been able to

Kathleen loves the beach but hasn’t been able to go because her conditions’ symptoms have worsened and her parent’s ability to help has decreased as they age. Kathleen needs more support than is available with a standard beach chair, and spasticity requires she be able to straighten her legs, so May We Help volunteers built this beach buggy that is easy for her parents to push, plus it’s super lightweight, fits in the family’s minivan, and assembles and disassembles in just minutes!

#beach #beachlife #beachvibes #beachday #beachgirl #beachbum #beachlover #beachstyle #beachbuggy #spasticity #spasticquadriplegiccerebralpalsy #cerebralpalsy #tarlovcystdisease

#Repost @4paws.navarre.patsy with @use.repost
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Happy Halloween! Its a bit late, but we couldn’t miss sharing the pics we took at the amazing Halloween party hosted by @may_we_help 🎃 We had a blast meeting everyone!

May We Help’s Annual Halloween Festival is alway

May We Help’s Annual Halloween Festival is always a blast, but it’s just as much fun behind the scenes too! That’s because we’re partnered with @uc_ccm whose students create one-of-a-kind costumes for lucky recipients like Chase!

#halloween #halloweennails #halloweencostume #halloweenmakeup #halloweencostumes #halloweenparty #theaterarts #setdesign #theater #disabled #wheelchair #wheelchairgirl #wheelchairlife #wheelchairlifestyle #powerchair #halloweenfun #taxi #táxi #taxidriver #gapper #rosiered

Halloween is May We Help’s favorite holiday beca

Halloween is May We Help’s favorite holiday because, if you’re a kid using a power chair, May We Help – in partnership with @uc_ccm - will build you your dream costume! 20 children participated this year, and debuted their costumes at May We Help’s 4th Annual Halloween Festival this past Sunday!

#halloween #halloweennails #halloweencostume #halloweencostumes #halloweenparty #halloweenlover #gapper #rosiered #disability #powerchair #powerchairlife #wheelchaircostume #wheelchairgirl