To celebrate Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, we hosted our fourth annual #MyLifeWithAT2018 Photo Contest throughout November. Assistive technology users were invited to enter a photo showing what they’re doing with their Assistive Technology (AT). Entrants were then asked to tell us in the photo’s caption what kind of AT they use and how it makes a difference for them. They were encouraged to share their entry with friends to gain votes.
Entrants were also encouraged to post their photo on Instagram with the hashtag #MyLifeWithAT2018 for an extra chance to win – every like on their Instagram photo counted as a vote as well.
Prizes included:
- Grand Prize: Amazon Echo Show
- Runner-Up Prize: Amazon Echo
- Wild Card Prize: Amazon Echo Dot
As described in the official rules and regulations, a panel of PATF staff chose Grand Prize and Runner-Up winners from the 10 entries with the most votes. A Wild Card winner was to be selected from all the entries.
The panel used the following criteria to determine the winners:
- Grand Prize winner selection was based on the post that most embodied the spirit of #MyLifeWithAT2018. The photo and caption should exemplify something important to the entrant, no matter how big or small, that the entrant was able to do with the help of AT.
- Runner-Up Prize winner was selected based on the post with the most innovative type of or use of AT.
- Wild Card Prize winner selection was also based on a post that embodied the spirit of #MyLifeWithAT2018.
And now, we’re thrilled to announce our winners!
Grand Prize Winner: Seth A.
AT: Rolling Walker
My photo consists of me sitting on my rolling walker while working as a DJ. Assistive technology has given me independence in many different areas of my life. It also has allowed me to perform on my job site as a rehabilitation counselor safely and perform the essential functions of my job in a timely fashion.
Runner-Up Prize Winner: Joy P.
AT: A device to hold my instrument (trumpet holder)
This is my (what I call) trumpet holder. I’m a professional musician with a BM in music performance from Seton Hill University who also has a diagnosis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, and without this device I would be unable to use my talent to make a difference in people’s lives. I am co-founder of a nonprofit organization along with my twin sister called the Glass City Swing Band, which I and my twin sister both play in and manage. We also both play for nursing homes and retirement communities. What I didn’t realize is how much the both of us have made a difference in people’s lives by what we are able to do with having a physical disability. So many people have come up and mentioned to the both of us what a blessing we are and how they are encouraged by seeing us play. Without my assistive device, which by the way was made by a friend’s father who owned a machine shop, I would not be able to encourage others with my talent. It has helped enrich my life and the lives of others!
Wild Card Winner…
We couldn’t choose just one, so here are four Wild Card Winners whose photos and captions we thought captured unique stories about how assistive technology is really making a difference in their lives.
Ernie J.
AT: OBI Robotic Feeding Arm
This photo is of me using my OBI Robotic Feeding Arm. Because of my Duchenne muscular dystrophy I am unable to feed myself. This device is new on the market and is a God send. My parents put the prepared food on the partitioned plate, I push the easy touch buttons and the robotic arm dips the fork into the food, then brings it up and into my mouth. This robot helps me so much with my independence and mostly with the ability to better enjoy meals with my family and friends.
Cindy B.
AT: Two implanted spinal cord stimulators
Before I had my neurostimulators, I couldn’t stand for more than a few seconds, and could not move my arms or legs without extreme effort. This was due to severe chronic pain from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. In this photo, I am on vacation in Mexico, somewhere I never could have traveled to before. I have always wanted to become a chef, but couldn’t due to my pain. Here, I am taking a cooking class and preparing an authentic Mexican meal. This was the beginning of a dream come true, and I never could have done this without my wonderful assistive technology!
Gavin V.
AT: Tobi Eye Gaze and the Amazon Echo Dot
Hi I’m Gavin. I’m a student at the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy. I use Tobii Eye Gaze at school and at home to talk to my mom and dad, other kids and my teacher. I can use it with the Echo Dot to play music and hear jokes too.
Sam W.
AT: Service dog Clover’s gear
Here’s a picture of me and my service dog Clover reading outside the library on a nice day, using some of her gear (vest, leash, etc.) The library is the first place I was able to go alone with Clover when my doctor and I started working on me being able to go places by myself. I can even walk there and walk home now and it’s about a mile away from my house by a busy road.
Having the right equipment to use with Clover allows me to be the most independent. For instance, I just got her a backpack. Now she carries things like her potty bags, my medications, her treats and usually enough food for one meal for her, an extra cell phone charger, and other things I might need. I’ll keep it packed and hanging in the same spot so that when I am getting myself ready to go out I don’t have to think about all of the things I need to pack to feel prepared to be somewhere alone.
Congratulations!
While the panel felt the winning entries most exemplified the spirit of #MyLifeWithAT2018 through their images and captions, all of the entries were valuable glimpses into each individual’s life, showing the important role assistive technology plays. Take a look at the other entries below:
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- AT: Scooter I chose to use this photo that a friend took of myself, other students, faculty, and staff members at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. This was the ending of our Pride Alliance’s annual Coming Out for Equality convocation. I’m the President of the Pride Alliance at Pitt-Bradford and every year we host a convocation in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The convocation consists of a handful of speakers who speak from personal experience about a variety of LGBTQ+ related topics and a mini parade from the chapel to our Panther statue, which is what you see in the photo. The scooter is an integral part of my participation in this event, helping me get to and from the event with supplies and allowing me to participate in the mini parade. More importantly the scooter plays an important role in my goal of creating a safe and supportive campus for people in the LGBTQ+ community. Coming Out for Equality is my favorite event of the year that we sponsor as it has a huge impact on the campus community. I think it shows people that it’s okay to be themselves and that there are people on this campus who will support and love them just the same. Last year, a professor’s speech inspired a student to come out to the professor and that alone made the hard work we put into this event worthwhile. It is an incredible feeling knowing that I played a small role in making that student feel comfortable enough to come out. Since starting college and becoming president of the Pride Alliance, it has been my goal to spread awareness of the struggles the LGBTQ+ community faces, to create a safe environment where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves, and to encourage others to continue my work long after I’m gone. It is important work and I can see just how far we’ve come since I started at Pitt-Bradford in 2011.
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- AT: Voice Amplifier I use my voice amplifier when I sing with my singing group The Media Theatre State Street Miracles. I have a good voice. Here is my photo.
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- AT: Adapted Van This is a picture of my Mom, my cousin Diane and I in my new van. The lift on my old van was no longer working properly and the van was older and in need of repairs. If I wasn’t strapped in properly, I would tilt and my wheelchair would tip over. Needless to say, I would bang my head on the ramp. It did hurt. With the help of PATF, I was able to secure a loan to purchase a new and safer van. The best part is we are able to remove the front passenger seat and I am able to sit upfront! I definitely have a whole new outlook on life! Business is Booming! 😉
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- AT: Safety loan The safety of my child if not eloping
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- AT: power link and jelly bean switch We set this up for our fall festival, Flying Pumpkins. We used a leaf blower and a power link to have the kids use their switch and turn on the leaf blower to make the pumpkins fly around. It was so much fun and really noisy! Everyone loved it
And visit #MyLifeWithAT2018 to view the photos that were shared on Instagram.
Thank you to all who participated, both by entering and by voting! We’re looking forward to seeing what you’re doing with your assistive technology next year!
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is dedicated to helping people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology they want and need. If you’re having trouble determining how to fund your assistive technology, contact us – we can help you explore your options and find a funding solution.