Designing an aid for hypermobility

[LDICL]

Hello, my name is Lauren and I’m a student from Imperial College London. My group and I have just undertaken a project which aims to develop a hand-held device for adults and/or children with hypermobility to aid them with writing/drawing/sketching. We are in the initial research phase and are looking to gain as much insight into the problems and issues experienced during these activities as possible. Please share any insights or feedback beneath.

Many thanks, Lauren

[AliPixie]

Have you seen the Sirus Silver Ring Splints? Something like that could work really well. They enable me to use my hands without dislocation but can be a bit clumsy for drawing, so some sort of glove/splint thing especially made to enable the flexibility for drawing and able to grip a paintbrush properly would be amazing!! Good luck and can’t wait to see what you invent

[LDICL in reply to AliPixie]

Hi AliPixie, really appreciate your response. Would it be ok to pm you to discuss the issues further? Lauren

[AliPixie in reply to LDICL]

That’s fine

[Saassii]

Yes maybe some type of grip that could be fitted to a pencil or paintbrush. The same concept as the silver ring splints, you stop the joint hyperextending or hyperflexing, but as opposed to the limitations by having it in the hand, the hand rests on the device which attaches to the pen/brush etc. Best wishes with it!

[crashdoll]

This is interesting. My writing is so poor due to hypermobility in my hands. I always needed thicker pens and pencils, as a child. As I’ve got older, I find I really can’t write much, even writing a birthday card is difficult. Some sort of device that you can use with more than one pen or pencil would be good.

[AliPixie in reply to crashdoll]

You should look up the ring splits, they are amazing for holding things

[honeybug]

Hi LDICL

😊🌿🌸🙏

I’m from the USA 🇺🇸 and I’m so happy to hear that you are inventing an aid for EDS patients.

I wish this would have come in time to help me as I now have advancing osteoarthritis from my hEDS.

I have difficulty doing the most mundane things and would have loved to have aids to prevent the suffering and limitations I have now. I am a multi medium Artist and would love to be able to do my work again someday.

I wish you the best for your invention. I am willing to help answer questions if you think I might be helpful to your endeavors.

EJ 😊🌿🌸🦋🙏🇺🇸🗽