Florian Altmann, a designer and senior project lead at IDEO Munich shares his thoughts with our Real MS community:

“Congrats to Brian Light for his “Sports Walker” idea and first prototype! I love how he has built his own solution for exactly his needs and how that has made such a big difference for him, playing volleyball despite his limited ability to run across the field. Since there was no product available out there to do what he needed, he took the matters in his own hands. Now, we’ll work together to take his idea to the next level and improve the design so that the sports walker can help more people with MS move around quickly and easily for sports or other activities.

Coming January, we plan to host a two-day workshop for Brian and his idea at IDEO Boston, involving a cross-disciplinary team of designers, engineers and human factors specialists. Together, we will explore what it takes to improve how the sports walker works, how it adapts to different users, how it can be transported, stored and how to get it out into he world as a product. We will brainstorm, experiment, sketch and prototype to make the sports walker better. It is important to be inspired by the world out there and then to take a user-centered approach that fulfills physical and emotional needs of people living with MS have.

The goal is to enable and support Brian with his project to have a positive impact for more people living with MS.”

Congratulations to our winner, Brian Light!  Your idea for a sports walker is an inspiring example of the determination and creativity that the MS community uses everyday to overcome obstacles and fight the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

And a big thanks to everyone who submitted story ideas or shared experiences, left comments or took the time to cast a vote.  Your voice is equally important because, together, you have helped to create a tapestry of real life experiences that communicates the collective challenges of the MS Community.

So far, this campaign has reached over 38,000 people in over 100 countries.  It has been presented at one of the world’s biggest MS conferences and will continue to be promoted over the upcoming months.  Your innovative ideas capture the  “can do” spirit of the MS community, while your experiences educate about the daily challenges.

Our work continues. If you want to learn more about Real MS, Unite MS or some of the important initiatives that Merck Serono is working on, check out the ECTRIMS webcast.  European journalist, Nicola Hill, moderates our panel for a very lively discussion about several MS topics including:

• Pieter Van Gafen is a patient representative living with MS and he talks about the untold costs of people with MS with missed work, and the frustrating fact that although he does not smoke and lives a healthy life, his insurance premiums are high as he must disclose his MS.

• Astrid Hussaarts, Community Manager for Unite MS Netherlands talks about some of the key concerns for EU patients and explains how Unite MS is serving as a platform of hope, positivity and inspiration.

• Christoph Thalheim  of the EMSP (represents 34 MS Societies) gives an update on the MS Barometer and discusses the initiatives that the EMSP are currently working on including the disparity of care among countries, the need for affordable care for all, and advocating health mininstries for more financial support.

• Axel Unger of IDEO talks about the Real MS Your Design Competition and how the award winning design firm can help our winner learn more about what it takes to take an idea to market.

So pour a cup of tea, check out the panel discussion and let us know what you think!

http://www.b-webcasts.com/webershandwick/merckserono/merckserono01_20111020/

Q: Many people have product ideas, but what made you decide to try and pursue yours?

“We were both always the kind of guys who tinkered by nature, always interested in how things worked, fixing cars, thinks like that. We had this idea and we kept talking about it. We talked about it a lot, for over eight months. Then one day, we were at the pub and decided that we need to either build it, or shut up….. So we got to work. For over four years we worked in my workshop and in Richards garage, at night and on weekends.

How did the initial design phase go?

It took a long time. We had to build and fund it ourself so that we could get a proof of concept.  It was all very challenging. You know, it is not possible for the able-bodied to fake not being able to walk. So we had to rely on friends of friends to help us design a nice safe, comfortable walk.  Development….it was intense and very emotional. There were many dark nights, and so many problems to figure out. That is where our “one step at a time” slogan came in handy. Because we reminded each other that we need to focus and fix one problem at a time.

Your idea was not cheap, how did you get the money to fund development?

“We had good luck, maybe even more than good judgement. We received $7 million dollars in venture capital from the first group that we presented to.

Wow!  That’s incredible. Care to share your secret for success with our would-be Real MS inventors?

I think having a prototype was what really helped us to secure funding. Think about it. There are two questions that you are usually asked about your product. 1) Who will want one  (everybody who cannot walk!) and 2) Why is it better than what is out there? (This product does not currently exist!)  But the prototype was what definitely made a difference. We were able to show them our idea and have it shuffle across the floor.

So now REX was officially born?

“Yes, we hired three more people and then the real work and product testing began. Today we have twenty on staff and we are lucky to have such a talented, enthusiastic and great group of people. I think finding the right people to collaborate and work with is also really key. We worked very secretively throughout the development process, because we didn’t want to create expectations ahead of time. We also got a very lucky break as the Prime Minister of New Zealand attended our press conference to announce the launch.  That really attracted the media and helped us get our name out there!”

You have secured your first customers, and have recently announced that REX is available for sale worldwide. What is next?

As an inventor I am always looking to improve it… make it faster….lighter, and of course more affordable.

Has your MS impacted or influenced your life as an inventor in any way?

“Well, yes, of course! One of the biggest things for me has been that I really have to be good about managing my time and making sure that I get enough sleep. I used to be able to work all night to solve a problem or work through an idea. Not any more. I have learned that having MS requires discipline.

What do you think about the Your Innovation Competition?

What do you think about all that has happened in the past year and a half?  How would you describe this experience?

“Humbling”

Do you have any words of wisdom, or any message that you would like to share with our audience?

“If you have a great idea, follow it!… you actually have to commit yourself, and make a decision to do it….. otherwise it will just stay a good idea!”

“One Step At A Time” It’s a well known expression that summarizes a philosophy for many who find themselves overwhelmed. But for two Scottish inventors, it became a mantra that helped to keep them focused and on track, as they navigated the development and design process to create a revolutionary new adaptive technology that could someday dramatically redefine what it means to be disabled.

Robert Irving and Richard Little were childhood friends in Scotland. Today, they both live in New Zealand and have recently launched, REX, a robotic device that allows people living in wheelchairs to get back on their feet – and walk! Their innovation is fuelling the flames of hope for so many people who see a potential to realize their dreams.

“Everyone has a “What” that they want to do, if they could walk again.” Explains Robert. “I admit, that even I hadn’t thought of all the ways that this could change someone’s life. From reaching a top shelf in the aisle, to standing face to face with a loved one for a hug….. it means different things, for different people. We have one guy who wants to use REX to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. I hadn’t thought about that.”

Both men have first hand experience and understand the realities of life when you are unable to walk as both of their mothers are in wheelchairs. But the drive and inspiration behind this innovative new product is even more personal, as Robert was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis seven years ago.

“I am very lucky, I have no symptoms that are outwardly visible. My mother has lived with MS for 30 years and is secondary progressive, so I have some understanding about what it means to live in a wheelchair. But since starting this project, I have really increased my understanding of the physical and social barriers…the disabled are some of the most adaptive and impressive people I have ever met. They find ways to get things done and work around obstacles every day.”

REX, (the Robotic Exoskeleton) may sound like something out of a futuristic sci-fi thriller. (In fact, Robert told Real MS that the idea actually was inspired from a robotic device featured in the movie, Aliens.) Yet, this new adaptive technology allows users to self-transfer from chair to the exoskeleton, then control their movements via a joystick and control pad. It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts about two hours during continuous use and is swappable in instances where the user wishes to move about on his or her feet for longer periods.

There are other robotic products on market, but nothing that can hold and maneuver the full weight of a person who has low upper body strength and allow them to move in an open environment to go wherever they want at will, and to do so – hands free. So it is great news for people whose work requires standing such as hair stylists, and auto mechanics, and allows for better safety in the kitchen for cooks everywhere.

The hope and possibility for this technology is not going unnoticed. The Discovery Channel is featuring REX on an upcoming documentary about world changing technology and The Huffington Post listed REX alongside iPod and the USB drive as one of the Best New Technologies of the Decade.

Robert and Richard were also surprised to learn that REX might also be good for your health.

“We were surprised and thrilled when we realized that there are health benefits as well. We have learned so much about the secondary health issues that arise when you are in a wheelchair. The body relies on gravity for a whole host of reasons. That is why it is recommended that people use standing frames for a couple of hours each day. Standing helps with circulation, pressure sores, scoliosis, bowel and bladder problems, decalcification – many of these issues can be eased by standing. “

As with most new technologies, REX is not cheap. The $150,000 price point still puts it out of reach for most people. This is because there are over 4 ½ thousand components to make REX work. Only two can be bought off the shelf, and the rest must be made.

Affordability is one of many goals that Robert has for REX. Like a true engineer, he is continually thinking about ways to improve and make REX lighter, faster and more affordable. As history has proven, these things can take time. Robert pointed out at the end of our interview “If anyone had told the Wright Brothers that they needed to build a plane that could hold 300 people, fly around the world, house entertainment systems, and a kitchen to prepare food, I doubt they would have continued on!”

And what is equally impressive is that you have identified and addressed so many different facets of life with MS with these proposed inventions.  You have submitted ideas for accessories that address needs of both fashion and function. Ideas like a better cooling hat, or a customized cane…. a retractable cane for better convenience or a utility chair that can be adjusted for height.  Sports and leisure is also well represented with exercise dvds for people in wheelchairs, and a specialized sports walker to allow for more freedom and mobility. And ideas that inspire and promote a positive attitude are equally important and would be wonderful to see come to fruition. There are so many new adaptive products that have been posted that would be really useful to have! It will be interesting to see what our online community selects as the top ten ideas.

Your participation and support really speaks volumes about the creativity and adaptability of this vibrant MS Community. The spirit and attitude that you have demonstrated is what fuels motivation and helps people who are newly diagnosed to reinvent their lives with Multiple Sclerosis.  So thank you to all that have submitted ideas.

We also want to thank everyone who has submitted and shared your experiences of life with MS.  As you know, this contest is open to everyone. Your explanations and descriptions of some of the daily challenges that MS can cause, has helped to identify the problems that still need to be solved and has helped to inspire many of the product ideas on our site.

The good news is that we are going to continue to accept Experience submissions through the end of the year.  Our goal is to collect as many experiences and perspectives of life with MS and continue to use this Real MS campaign as a platform to promote awareness to our global audience.   And over the next two weeks, we invite you to vote for your favorite ideas and help us narrow down ten concepts that will be presented to our judges as community favorites.

Anyone can create innovation and design, – anywhere. As someone with Multiple Sclerosis, you know best what the challenges are you face daily. Have you ever wished a certain item existed that could make your life easier? This could be the first step towards innovation! You don’t need to be a trained Designer to think of an idea that could be helpful for you and the other members of the MS community.

Do you need guidance to come up with ideas? Take a look at the quick start guide for Your Innovation! This short video lives on the entries page of this Real MS website. It will ask you to think of typical activities at home, while traveling, moving in public places, or shopping. What are products or gadgets that might help a person with MS in these situations? It’s a simple way to start thinking and to spark your very own creativity!

There is so much that can be done, and you can make a difference.
We can’t wait to see your ideas!

This competition is a global campaign to raise awareness of MS in a creative way. It is all about sharing experiences, dreams, or perhaps frustrations, and imagining new adaptive products that could potentially help make life easier with MS. There are two ways that you can support this effort and part of this Real MS Campaign. You can share an experience, and tell us about a specific challenge of your MS, or you can share an idea for a new adaptive product or creative solution to that might help to solve a specific challenge. You do not necessarily have to work out the design specifics for your idea, or have a degree in engineering to enter. All you need is a good idea.

Are you still searching for your concept? Or do you have a rough idea that you are trying to develop? Real MS is here to support you on this creative journey. Our Face book community is one option if you have questions that you would like to explore, or an idea that you would like to test. We have already had one community member try out a suggested product idea, and reported back that loafing gloves do indeed work well as shower mitts!

Have you looked at our newest contest quick start video tutorial? It offers exercises to help you capture ideas and expand your thinking. It also offers a series of questions that provide a framework for some of the basic challenges of MS that are emerging from this competition. If you look at some of the basic categories that our community has identified: physical challenges, emotional challenges, challenges of awareness, and challenges of opportunity.

Which of these do you think is the most pressing and why?

There are many great examples of technologies and designs surrounding us everyday that are inclusive. Among them Velcro, the electric toothbrush, automatic doors, low-floor buses and audio-books.

Whole businesses have been specializing on inclusive design. One of the most successful companies has been Oxo. Many of their kitchen tools can be used one-handed with limited motor skills and strength. With this approach they have been hugely successful. But the secret to their success has been on creating functional and desirable products that don’t just work better for people with disabilities, but everybody. Each year Oxo introduces up to 50 new products!

Another exciting grass-roots effort is ‘Enabled by Design’, a social not-for-profit business. It was founded by Denise Stephens, who after being diagnosed with MS, became frustrated with stigmatizing assistive products, that although very helpful and useful, made her home look more and more like a hospital. The aim of her organization is to create a community by bringing together manufacturers, designers and people needing to live with assistive equipment. One lovely feature of her site is the ‘Love & Hate’ section, where the community share what products they love or hate and why.

If you want to learn more on this topic or get engaged, please click on the links below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_design
http://www.oxo.com/
http://enabledbydesign.org/

IDEO creates impact through design and helps organizations innovate. Their core belief is that innovative solutions for products, services and strategies have to address real human needs.

Their website reads like a who’s who of corporate innovation with an impressive roster of ideas and projects that IDEO has helped to facilitate. IDEO’s work ranges from redefining selfservice banking and designing a new ATM for BBVA, a Spanish bank, over a brand strategy for Havaianas, to designing the donor experience for the Red Cross or tackling the issue of water transport and storage in rural India.

Their scope reaches far beyond commercial innovation. IDEO is passionate about their commitment to help solve social problems and support educational initiatives. They also take great pride in the work that they do to encourage social innovation to create transformational change in under-served, underrepresented, and disadvantaged communities worldwide.

“At IDEO, we use design thinking to address issues such as poverty, nutrition, health, water and sanitation, economic empowerment, access to financial services, and gender equity.”

A great example of IDEO’s commitment to innovative design is The Ripple Effect Project. Some 1.2 billion people worldwide are drinking unsafe water. Although many organizations purify water at a community scale, people spend significant time and effort to transport it — and it often becomes contaminated during the trip. From retrieval to consumption, water’s journey is complex and provides ample opportunities for improvement. Acumen Fund and IDEO, with backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, joined forces to tackle the issues of water transport and storage. The Ripple Effect project aims to improve access to safe drinking water for the world’s poorest and most under-served people; to stimulate innovation among local water providers; and to build the capacity for future development in the water sector.

IDEO develops human-centered solutions. As we continue to think about the everyday challenges of life with MS, don’t hesitate to let your imagination soar! If your product idea is selected for our grand prize, you will be given a unique opportunity to learn from one of the world’s most successful design and innovation consulting firms – a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Innovation often times evolves from need. Those who live and care for someone with Multiple Sclerosis see and understand the daily needs that can arise in day to day life. You never know what challenge or event could inspire someone to think differently about a problem, or where the next big idea is going to come from. For British scientist Ken Armitage, it was a simple walk to the pub that spawned an idea that changed the course of his career and helped many who live with Multiple Sclerosis.

He and his wife Anne, who has MS, were late for cream tea. Anne struggled with walking and was having trouble keeping up with her husband. “My husband then had this wonderful idea! He took off his rucksack, put a bungee on my foot and I covered the last two kilometres and got there in time for tea! After our walk on the moor, my husband Kenneth took up the challenge and decided to build this walking aid. Out of desperation, he could see that the many different walking aids were not working, and in some cases making my movement worse. Every MS and stroke patient can have many, various and different problems. He also knew that the aid had to be simple, have ease of use and be portable. This product also had to be cheap because after any long term illness finances usually become tighter.”

So Kenneth Armitage went to work. Being a scientist, Ken felt that if he could gently stimulate the body and muscles by gently picking up the leg or legs from this central cord allowing movement, then it helps the whole body to function.
The Armitages not only made their tea time on that fateful day, but they also realized that they had literally stumbled onto something useful. “My wife’s walking range was down to about 50 or 60 metres,” explained Mr Armitage. “Aerobic fitness is really important. Just because one muscle group doesn’t work, that’s not to say the others can’t do a lot more. The elastic cord helps people whose muscles won’t allow them to lift their feet during that part of the walking cycle. It is a way of transferring energy from the strong muscles in the thigh and back to the ones that weren’t working.”
Ken and Anne found a business partner, Andrew Wynd and started MuSmate, a company that today markets walking assistive devices that help people with common problems such as leg weakness, ankle flopping and foot drop. Ann reflects on the early days of the company and explains “To get the product to the end design, took 2 years, with help from our local MS centre together we all toughly tested each Musmate for weaknesses, then Ken and I decided on the final product.”

Ten years later, Anne reports that her MS silently progresses, but that she is still walking with her Musmate aid and finds it hard to imagine life without it. She and her husband Ken are continuing to work on behalf of the MS community and are lobbying their MP to try and get more help for stroke and MS victims when they are diagnosed. Musmate has a website and is continues to sell products that help people around the world to maintain their mobility.

“We have now over 1000 uses and although this is a hard sector to compete in, our company is still surviving and going forward. Every time a MM is sold my wish is that it aids them as much as it has me.”

Real MS asked Anne if she had any advice for would-be inventors who have an idea, but are not sure how to bring it to market.

“My advice for other inventors is any change in the status quo will be hard, and that you will be challenged at every turn…..but if you have faith in your product, don’t stop! “