2007 daVinci Award[R] Winners.The da Vinci Awards da Vinci Awards (United States) The first da Vinci Awards® were granted in 2001. According to the official website In the spirit of the 15th century artist and visionary Leonardo da Vinci, the da Vinci Awards honor the most innovative developments and research in[R] recognize the most innovative developments and research in adaptive and assistive technology Hardware and software that help people who are physically impaired. Often called "accessibility options" when referring to enhancements for using the computer, the entire field of assistive technology is quite vast and even includes ramp and doorway construction in buildings to support that embrace the Universal Design principle. The recognition drives the marketplace to stimulate investment in and development of further creative advances, ultimately enabling everyone to participate and contribute in all aspects of society. The da Vinci Awards[R] are named for the renaissance artist and engineering genius, Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci (də vĭn`chē, Ital. lāōnär`dō dä vēn`chē), 1452–1519, Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, and scientist, b. near Vinci, a hill village in Tuscany. , and salute achievements that empower and enrich the lives of individuals who are physically challenged physically challenged adj. Having a physical disability or impairment, especially one that limits mobility. See Usage Note at challenged. n. (used with a pl. . This year's da Vinci Awards were presented by General Motors and chaired by Chet Huber, President of OnStar Corporation. EP is honored to be highlighting the winners of this prestigious award and drawing attention to the important work being done in this area of special needs. Featured this month are Grayson Rosenberger and Dr. Rory Cooper. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Grayson Rosenberger Fifteen-year-old Grayson Rosenberger, a freshman at Franklin Road Academy Franklin Road Academy is a Pre-K-12 private, non-denominational Christian school located in Oak Hill, a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, with approximately 1,000 students. It was established in 1971. Its Head of School is Margaret W. ("Sissy") Wade. in Nashville, Tennessee “Nashville” redirects here. For other uses, see Nashville (disambiguation). Nashville is the capital and the second most populous city of the U.S. state of Tennessee, after Memphis. , was the recipient of the prestigious 2007 da Vinci da Vinci Surgery A surgical robot for performing certain surgeries–eg, mitral valve repair and laparoscopic procedures–eg, cholecystectomy and gastric ulcer repair. See Laparoscopic surgery, Robotics, Surgical robot. Award for his application of a life-like surface for prosthetic pros·thet·ic adj. 1. Serving as or relating to a prosthesis. 2. Of or relating to prosthetics. prosthetic serving as a substitute; pertaining to prostheses or to prosthetics. legs. The idea also won the first place $10,000 prize in the Bubble Wrap[R] Competition for Young Inventors. Grayson's idea of a cost-effective, cosmetic shell for artificial legs disguises the prosthetic limb and creates the appearance of muscle tone. Wrapping the prosthetic with Bubble Wrap and packing tape and molding it with a heat gun mimics the shape of a real leg and minimizes the stigma facing amputees in third world countries. Lightweight and inexpensive, it costs only $15.00 as compared to $1,000 that a similar prosthetic might cost in the United States. The inspiration came from his mother, a double amputee am·pu·tee n. A person who has had one or more limbs removed by amputation. who lost both legs in a car accident 25 years ago. Grayson's parents run the Christian-based charity, "Standing with Hope," which provides prosthetic legs to people in Ghana. Grayson recently traveled to Ghana to deliver a specially made prosthetic leg to a 15-year-old boy who lost his leg in an accident. The youth, unfortunately, died from malaria before Grayson could meet him. "Grayson not only invented the cost-effective cosmetic skin covering for artificial legs, but worked with the government of Ghana training workers to make the limbs," his father explains. "Grayson came up with something that will change people's lives." Looking to the future, Grayson says, "I'd like to go to West Point, possibly the Air Force or Naval Academy, major in mechanical engineering, and serve my country." Dr. Rory Cooper Dr. Rory Cooper, when asked about his strengths, answers with the assurance of someone doing what he loves: "I'm a practical engineer." As a 2007 da Vinci Award Lifetime Achievement Winner, Dr. Cooper was recognized for his dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. He particularly likes to help veterans. Dr. Cooper began his career as a solider in the United States Army United States Army Major branch of the U.S. military forces, charged with preserving peace and security and defending the nation. The first regular U.S. fighting force, the Continental Army, was organized by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, to supplement local , stationed in Germany. There he excelled at track, winning an invitation to compete in the Olympic trials in the 70s. He would have been at the L.A. Olympics of '84; however, his aspirations were changed by a paralyzing bicycle accident. Following the spinal cord injury Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. , Dr. Cooper returned to the States to earn degrees from three universities. Today, Dr. Cooper is the Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh and Co-Director of the Quality of Life Technology Center, where the wheelchair has been one of his main focal points. Through the efforts of Dr. Cooper and other engineers, today's wheelchairs are now as light as some bicycles. Dr. Cooper has mentored over 100 masters and Ph.D. students. He's proud of their collective research over the years and the impact it's had on thousands of people in improving accessibility. He is also enthusiastic about the future. "The future holds so many possibilities," comments Dr. Cooper. "Research continues for a higher quality of life for individuals with disabilities." The new frontier: the use of robotics as applied to accessibility issues. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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