Meet a Technical Volunteer

Meet Technical Member John S.

Technical Volunteer John joined TADSA about 3 years ago and has since been busy designing and making specialized equipment for TADSA clients.  John’s knowledge and wealth of experience has been fully utilized with the making of various devices, many mechanical that required quite a lot of heavy thinking, planning and finally, construction. 

Some projects John has undertaken include -

• Motorised Workdesk (mech)
• Motorised Overtable for Chair
• Electric Overway Table
• Wheels on a Walker
• Sponge Holder
• Shower Chair Mods
• Phone Holder
• Grooming Aids

John has just completed his latest TADSA project – a Lifting Table for a person who has no arms, but wanted a facility to help him prepare his own food.   This job was a real challenge (see latest newsletter), but the end result is excellent, the client now has more independence in his kitchen. 

We all have our “best time of the day to think and work”, In John’s case, his best time to think and work is 4am onwards.  So for the past few months, John has been getting up around 4am, sometimes even earlier, to work in his outside workshop on this project and remember, we have just experienced a very cold winter!   Total time that John spent on this project (design and construction) is 367 hours and that is a conservative figure.  We must also acknowledge and thank John’s wife for being so understanding and supportive of the work John has been doing for his TADSA clients. 

We have many wonderful TADSA technical volunteers, all with good skills, experience and enthusiasm.  Of course we appreciate all the good work done by our technical volunteers, but in John’s case however, there is a difference.  You see… John has Parkinson’s Disease – and this is a two way story.  Whilst keeping busy helping other people with disabilities (and we are certainly helping him out there!), John finds his Parkinsons is under better control.

Disability is a personal thing, and everyone deals with it in their own best possible way.  But keeping that positive attitude and a little sense of humour along the way must certainly help.  John’s positive attitude, sense of humour and desire to help others is truly inspirational.