SCCR And Mirka Tools Canada Help Spinal Cord Injury Patient Continue His Craft

George Woodwarth is a beacon of light in the Fredericton area, and across New Brunswick, especially for people with disabilities. George was previously president of Ability New Brunswick and now volunteers for their peer mentor program. George is also a Patient Experience Advocate for Horizon Health Network and has spent his entire career working in the carpentry business, before and after he experienced a spinal cord injury in 2007.

George has been working with Occupational Therapists (OT’s) at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital and the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (SCCR) for a couple of years to refine how to use his sanders as independently as possible. The OT’s designed and built custom straps to hold the sander on George’s hand. When George upgraded to the Mirka Canada Inc sander, the strapping system presented a problem because the power button was then hidden under his hand.

“For me to be able to use it totally independently, I needed a switch that wasn’t located under my hand and wrist,” said George.  

The rehabilitation engineering department at SCCR adapted the sander by relocating the power switch to the side of the sander, where George could then turn it on and off independently while his hand was strapped in.

George chose the Mirka sander primarily due to its lightness and dustless feature. The light weight of the sander allows George to operate the sander for longer durations without experiencing fatigue in his already atrophied arm. The dustless feature allows George to operate the sander without the use of a mask; a mask is something George can not put on and take off on his own. Both of these features ensure George can use the sander more independently and for longer durations of time. Moreover, George spoke about the fantastic operation of the sander overall, that it is quiet and works so well that it takes less time to get the job done.

“This is one of the best tools I have ever worked with and I started working in carpentry 38 years ago. The design and features of the Mirka sander allow me to do more of what I enjoy,” said George.  “Since I was injured 17 years ago, the OT and rehabilitation engineering departments have played a key role in adapting my tools and living environment. This has allowed me to have access to more of life’s necessities and has enabled me to be as independent as I can.”

George uses the adapted Mirka sander to make wooden cutting boards, transfer boards for people with disabilities, and nesting benches for children with disabilities.