When Sophie Shockey saw stroke recovery hitting a wall, she purposely built another one from scratch to break down barriers in patient care.
The occupational therapy (OT) student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Allied Health Sciences dedicated her capstone project to constructing a rehabilitation wall at the NeuroFit Gym in Hamilton, Ohio. After witnessing stroke patients repeatedly struggle to regain physical and cognitive aptitude, Shockey transformed that challenge into an innovative and thoughtful solution for recovery.
Shockey didn't choose the NeuroFit Gym on a whim; she believes in the facility's mission to "improve the lives of those living with a neurological disorder … through exercise, education, community and connection."
The gym makes equipment and classes affordable and accessible while providing professional assistance from licensed therapists. By doing so, NeuroFit makes an often long and exhausting recovery process more motivating through professional guidance and the encouragement of a growing community of individuals on similar journeys.
The wall-mounted system Shockey built features multiple components intentionally designed to work together as a unified rehabilitation tool:
Together, the rehabilitation wall supports fine motor development, bilateral coordination and planning and reaction times, all skills essential to daily independence.
While Shockey was eager to bring her project to life, that excitement was matched by uncertainty about how to tackle such a daunting project build. That's where the Ground Floor Makerspace at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub became a turning point.
Doctoral capstone projects at UC are comprehensive by design, but Shockey's was still a massive undertaking. Instead of just designing a rehabilitation wall at the NeuroFit Gym, she also endeavored to build it.
Fortunately, Shockey found the support and insight she needed at the Ground Floor Makerspace. Located in the 1819 Innovation Hub - a space where entrepreneurs, creatives and business leaders converge to build what's next - the 12,000-square-foot facility is the largest makerspace in Greater Cincinnati. Shockey, along with all UC students, faculty and staff members and those employed by 1819 partner companies, receives free access to the space.
As an OT student, Shockey had a grand vision for her rehab wall but needed help with creative elements and the fabrication process. In collaboration with trained and certified professionals at the Ground Floor Makerspace, she learned how to safely operate various tools, and her dream capstone project slowly came to life.
"I am a student who had zero experience in fabrication, design or anything like that," Shockey says. "Over my time [at 1819], I've seen that there's no problem that can't be solved … you just feel like everything is possible here."
Beyond the initial insights makerspace staff and co-ops offered her, Shockey was properly trained and certified in safely using a laser cutter, 3D printer, CNC router, miter saw, drill press, sandblaster and powder coating machine. Each of these tools - and more - are available in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace after simple trainings and certification programs.
Shockey admits that at the beginning, she was intimidated by the makerspace. "I was nervous at first," she says, "but this place is open to anyone, it's welcoming and it's exactly what I needed. This space is a learning space."
"I just want to sit there and watch it all day."
Featured image at top: Shockey in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Alexander Pearks
