A GIGGLESWICK man who helps make the lives of disabled people easier is calling for others with similar skills to join him.

John Rose, of The Mains, is looking for like-minded research and development engineers or craftspeople who can design and make equipment for the disabled.

John is a member of REMAP, which stands for Rehabilitation Engineering Movements Advisory Panel, and is a national charity.

There are currently 100 REMAP groups all over the country and each one focuses on helping disabled people who might need a piece of equipment specially designing or developing for their own needs.

The groups or panels consist of health professionals, such as occupational therapists, community nurses or GPs, and a roughly equal number of technical volunteers.

When a disabled person has needs which cannot be met by standard equipment, they are visited by a health professional and an engineer to discuss how to tackle the problem.

Case examples could cover transport aids, eating and drinking facilities, beds, chairs, children's equipment, wheelchairs, standing and walking aids, pressure relief, leisure or office equipment.

"Of course many disabled people can use standard equipment which is commercially available, but if something needs modifying or if a new piece of kit is required from scratch, that is where REMAP comes in," said John.

He told the Herald there was currently no group in the Craven area, with the nearest branch in Preston, Lancashire.

John is hoping to rectify this and has already approached occupational therapists at Airedale Hospital in Steeton.

"They are enthusiastic and have patients waiting for our services," added John.

"The small amount of work I have done with the REMAP Group in Preston has proved to me that very valuable equipment can be produced for very little cost.

"REMAP works by providing the service free to the clients and we cover expenses as best as we can."

John, who recently retired from his job as a hose research engineer at Angus Fire in Bentham, has a purpose-built workshop at the side of his home to carry out his work for the charity.

So far his skills have helped numerous disabled people, including a young mother suffering from epilepsy. She wanted a device fitted to her child's pushchair which would stop it rolling away uncontrollably if she ever had a fit and let go of it.

John fitted a special handle to the chair that acted as a brake if she did not hold it down.

John said: "The thing about working with disabled people is that it gives you tremendous satisfaction if you invent something which enables them to do something they could not do before."

John is appealing for anyone with suitable engineering skills or craftspeople to come forward. Offers of help should be sent to John Rose, Royd Hill, The Mains, Giggleswick, Settle, BD24 OAX or telephone 01729 822553.

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