Page-turning robot allows Sask. woman with multiple sclerosis to reclaim love of reading
Turning the pages of a book is a skill many people take for granted, but for Terri Sleeva, it’s a form of independence she recently reclaimed thanks to Daniel Molder and his page turning robot.
“I keep buying books and physical books and I would love to be able to read them, but asking my husband to turn pages is getting monotonous,” she said.
Sleeva was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1984, which has gradually affected her ability enjoy one of her favourite past times – reading.
The whole process came about thanks to the Tetra Society, an organization that helps people with mobility issues gain back the ability to do what they love in spite of their physical limitations.
Molder is the brains behind the robot and he explained that the process of building it was a very rewarding one.
“Right off the bat she mentioned that she wanted a page turner, and I was extremely interested in that,” he explained. “I was thinking ‘Wow that sounds like a lot of fun and the brain started working and I started thinking about ways to make it happen.’”
Molder’s creation works by using suction to lift up the page and then a wheel to turn it.
The helping hand can be controlled either by voice activation, or a manual toggle which Sleeva can use her chin to maneuver.
“I had many people try and make something – then it was miraculous,” she said. “Dan Molder came into my life.”
Sleeva has had the machine for just over a month and has been enjoying every single page she gets to turn.
The duo both credit the Tetra Society for not only helping people regain independence but also fostering a friendship.
“I realize that for me it’s so easy, but I take it for granted,” Molder said.
“But for someone who can’t, it really can be world changing.”
The Tetra Society helped countless individuals as Sleeva explained. While the not-for-profit has a long history of helping individuals in need – organizers hope to improve their outreach and get the word out to both for those seeking mobility assistance and for anyone with the skills to help.
“I want to make everyone feel that there is independence,” Sleeva said. “You can do things no matter the limitations.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.