Cerebral palsy sufferer Alix Punch gets a helping hand with learning to write
Dec 22 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Cerebral palsy sufferer Alix Punch gets a helping hand with learning to write
A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy with cerebral palsy could soon be learning to write.
And it’s all thanks to the inventing skills of a Scapegoat Hill man.
Alix Punch, who attends Old Earth School in Elland, has limited hand movement – which presented a challenge to inventor Mark Mercer who works for Remap, which designs disability aids.
Alix’s mother, Katie Punch, said: “They’ve created a pen holder for him. We’ve tried every single one known to man and none worked for him.
“His hand position is very different to ours, they are held out flat and he can’t tilt them left or right so the grip is quite different.
“Now he holds a bar attached to the pen and that helps.
“His occupational therapist got us in contact with Remap and now he’s enjoying colouring in because he struggled with it previously.
“Alix brings the device home at the weekend so if he wants to draw the option is there for him.
“He’s not only drawing but he can start to learn to write, I’ve been so impressed with it, Mark’s done a great job.”
Mark, 71, heard of Alix’s problem through Remap, a nationwide organisation which finds engineering solutions for individuals with disabilities.
