ringing cor Custom chairs, equipment Duilt in N. Van Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com THERE’S a basement workshop in the old North Star School Annex. Ie’s stuffed to the rafters with bits and planks of wood, stacks of foam, scraps of vinyl, bolts of cotton and all types and sizes of woodworking equipment. Although some focal parents might think so, this is not the workplace of busy, helpful elves. It is the home of the North Shore Disability Resource Centre’s Equipment Technicians program. It is in this litele workshop that Mary Smelko and Reinaldo Mora work to make the lives of children and adults with disabilities easier and more comfortable by custom- building and adapting equip- ment and furniture for them. Their projects have ranged from strollers, high chairs, and beds, to desks and chairs, and tricycles. One popular piece of equipment, known as a “C- ring,” is a ring of foam cov- ered in a bright patchwork of vinyl. It includes seats for chil- dren who cannet sit unsup- ported and all kinds of things to pull on and play with. “It’s usually the therapists and sometimes the parents who come to us with ideas,” ‘said Smelko, “We never know what our next project will be.” Twenty-seven years ago the program was founded by a. _teacher’s aide. named Linda Wocding. While working with students she would sometimes see a need fora piece of equip- ment that. would make it casi- er for the child to participate .. in classroom activities. Then she'd go home and make it. Soon she was working full- time making equipment for the North Shore school byards. In 1979, the Equipment Technicians _ Program was taken over by the North Shore Disability Resource Centre. Wooding retired carlier this year, and ‘not long after, - the program’s most well- known and widely-used prod- uct, the Wooding Comfy Chair, was renamed after her. The chair resembles an _ overstuffed recliner — but it’s sen wheels, and we foam adding that provides support . i carved specifically" for-cach> client, and recarved for them as they grow or their bodies change. a For a person with a disabil- ity, the Comfy. Chair means they don’t have co spend all their time in a wheelchair, or lying down in bed. | ; “People even feel differ- ently about sitting in a chair than in) a wheelchair. | Wheelchairs. are. supportive © and mobile, but they're kind “up NEWS photo falke Waketield ROM Mylene Comsia watches as 17-month-old Eleanor plays in the C-ring, a piece of equipment created by the Equipment Technicians Program in the North Star Annex. of rigid,” said Smelko. As well, hours spent in a wheelchair can mean painful pressure sores, while in a prone position the body docs- n’t function as well — oreath- ing, swallowing and digestion are easier sitting or standing “The measurements have to be very specific,” said Smelko. “Even the angle is important to make it casier for - swallowing.” ’ Her own son uses a comfy .chair,.’she added, and she believes it has added years to his life. ~ Bur perhaps most impor- tantly, the chair and al! of the equipment made by the tech- nicians allow people with dis- abilities to enjoy the same activities as the rest of us. It’s a good reminder for October, Community Living Month. Throughout the month, cities, communities and orga- nizations around B.C. will be hosting activities and events to promote the inclusion of peo- ple with developmental dis- abilities. Pad Raise the Standard, Not the Price © Custom Work ® High Standard of Creativity © Exceptional Quality, Great Price “A little out of the way but a fet of i out of the a: inary.” Mon > Sat 9:30 - 5:30 fe To local #: 892-3002 e-mail gem@uniserve.com (305 Pembenan Ave. (beside Save-On-Foods) Squamish 1-877-714-4455 SET] Genr Jewellers The Great Canadian @4iL CHANGE Since 1978 LID. Hus taxes and enviro (aes. “Gy Just Need an Oil Change *19.99 ,: Petro Canada 10W30 Don't forget about our T-Tech transmission service - Change 100% of your fiuid not just 40-60%. LC OPEN SUNDAYS: Ses j Lonsdale &'13th, N: Vancouver _ LEXPIHES DEQWIAINS $85-1050 The North Shore Disabiliry Resource Centre is celebrating Community Living on the North Shore on Monday, Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 92:30 pm. in the Emergency Operations Room of the Gerry Brewer (RCMP) Building in North Vancouver at 14th and St. Georges, Call 985-537) tor information. LONOUT! nf 39S" locodes svt pe sofabed frame, ble Fume cae fee sca -perted fate cet, _ ane pl cavers. de cacti st 267 E. ist. &.¥an FACTORY FUT FACTORY FUTON. voasmnrse 304-4504 ...a Mayor with hands-on, private sector business experience. . ... someone who has raised a family in this community .+.not a professional politician RE ... someone who can make decisions, manage a budget and motivate Council to werk as a team . ouncillor Ron Wood — will be that Mayor For more information visit our website: wood4mayor.com. Or contact Ron Wood at 926-4153 or email: info@wood4mayor.com. Even becter, dcop into che campaign office at 1375 Marine Drive. On November 20th vote for Councillor Ron Wood as Mayor of West Vancouver. | WCOD, Ron | Grand Opening of Campa er ppaesen raters toereerees Office Saturday October 23 si paw Sf Kd fteqece