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Entry into the AT field:
March 1974
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How I got into the field and my
background
My career in
rehabilitation engineering began shortly after I received my undergraduate
degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and my
graduate degree in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University. I
attended a local evening meeting of students and professionals who worked in
biomedical engineering in the Chicago area. Everyone introduced themselves and
their place of employment. I remarked that I was looking for a job and heard a
voice from the back, "I would like to talk to you". The individual was an
engineer at the Hines VA Hospital (just west of Chicago) who was planning to
move out of the area and was looking for his replacement. I got the job with
the Biomedical Engineering Section which was responsible for maintaining all
the medical equipment in the facility, including equipment associated with the
four large spinal cord injury wards. I got familiar with powered wheelchairs,
early Prentke-Romich environmental controls, sip&puff pinball machines,
air-fluidized beds, rocking beds, and phrenic nerve stimulators.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
While there were a few people who made decisions
to hire me at the VA, I can't point to anyone who advised me to get into this
field or any specific event or experience that pushed me toward assistive
technology. I do recall reading a book as a child about a boy who became blind
and used Braille and I had an aunt who used a wheelchair.
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My inspiration and
mentor
I chose to work at the
Rehabilitation Research and Development Center at the VA in Palo Alto (1979)
after 5 years at Hines as I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to do
creative and interesting things, especially designing devices employing the new
(at the time) microprocessor
technology.
I'm sorry to say that there
really was not a mentor, instructor, or other individual who inspired
me.
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
To
me, the importance of the field stems from its potential to significantly
improve a person's life, which in turn benefits society in general since
everyone has the potential to
contribute.
I have worked on a number of
research projects that employ computer technology. This technology is a
flexible component in the design of devices that benefit people with disability
and the health care professionals who serve them.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
The best feeling an engineer can have is when he
or she realizes that his or her talents and skills can truly benefit others.
This typically occurs when the engineer sees their newly designed device being
used successfully for the first time by someone with a disability. I have had
several of these experiences over the
years.
Mentoring students and introducing
them assistive technology through the Stanford course I teach may be my best
contribution - so far.
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My most memorable
failures
Despite my best efforts, I
regret that some of the prototypes I worked on at the VA did not eventually
become commercial products and widely available.
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Significant changes in the field
since I first entered it
Without a
doubt, the introduction and advancement of computer technology, especially
microcomputer technology, has provided a significant and flexible building
block for the design of a wide variety of devices that has improved the lives
of people with disabilities.
The most
significant advances are those that enable someone with a disability achieve
something beyond their expectations. Products and devices employing robotics,
stimulation, and computers in devices to restore or improve mobility,
manipulation, and communication can make a huge impact on the lives of people
with disabilities. I have had the good fortune to work on these kinds of
projects.
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On the future of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology
The future of rehab engineering and assistive
technology should be bright as there will always be individuals with
disabilities who can benefit from devices and services that would improve their
quality of life and increase their independence.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I feel fortunate to
have had RESNA around for my entire career. At first RESNA served as a
conference where I learned more about the field of rehabilitation engineering
as well as a forum for the VA's Rehab R&D Center programs. I got involved
with the Computer Applications SIG very early on and was its Chair for the
first 5 years. I was the webmaster for the SIG and I remain active,
distributing articles of interest to its membership. I have also had three
terms on the Board of Directors. With all of my years going to conferences,
people that I once knew just as fellow conference attendees, then as
colleagues, then as friends, have now become like family and the conferences
feel like annual reunions.
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On the future of RESNA
I see RESNA identified as the multi-disciplinary
professional home for people working in the fields of rehab engineering and
assistive technology. This would include OTs, PTs, and others as well as
engineers and technologists. I hope RESNA's activities and conferences will
continue to attract new members as they enter the field while retaining the
skills, experience, wisdom, and participation of "old-timers".
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
I would say to
learn as much as you can from your colleagues, both within your facility and
within RESNA. Make it your goal to contribute to your profession by getting
involved with a RESNA committee, submitting papers for presentation, organizing
workshops, and participating in SIG activities. You will receive enormous
benefits and professional satisfaction.
