Shock absorber helps young woman to recover from tumour operation

17 December 2019

An adjustable industrial shock absorber donated by WDS Component Parts Ltd. is helping a young woman regain strength and mobility following a major operation to remove a tumour. The shock absorber is incorporated into a modified rowing machine in a project coordinated by nationwide charity Remap.

Remap helps disabled people achieve independence and a better quality of life by designing and building equipment that meets their individual needs. Each piece of equipment is bespoke to the individual user and may be designed to help them exercise, carry out essential daily tasks without having to ask for help, or allow them to take part in sports and leisure activities that would otherwise be impossible.

Founded in 1964, Remap has helped more than 80,000 people from all around the UK. Many of its volunteers are engineers, craftsmen, designers or programmers from the manufacturing industry who either fit the work in around their jobs or who have retired but want to keep putting their skills to good use.

One Remap volunteer, Barry Tremlett, was asked to help on a project for a young woman called Ellie, who is disabled from the waist down following an operation to remove a tumour. She uses a rowing machine to exercise her legs for which Barry designed and supplied a modification that supports her legs on the forward stroke.

Read the full article in the January 2020 issue of DPA.