Handicapped children, once forced to sit back and watch siblings play with toys, can now be part of the game.
Through simple but innovative modern technology, a Utah entrepreneur has adapted popular battery-operated toys for use by the physically disabled.
This Santa Claus-in-disguise is Kevin Milne, a rehabilitation engineer, who's put barking dogs, growling bears and grunting pigs into the lives of toy-starved kids.
Milne's toy-tailoring business - Genesis Engineering - extends to children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other disabilities the God-given right to have fun.
"The purpose is to make sure disabled children have the same chance as normal children to play with toys," he said. "They don't have the physical function to reach all the little switches on the toys, but they have the same desires to use toys as other children."
In the basement of his Sandy home, Milne puts remote control trains and trucks within the reach of crippled kids, including those in wheelchairs.
His seemingly magic transformation act involves dismantling normal toys and wiring their switch mechanism. Using a small jack, he then attaches a larger switch (a small box) that can be activated by the hand, foot, or even human breath.
" . . . However they can do it. If they have gross mechanisms, they can hit it with their hand, push it along side of their head, or with their foot," he said. One switch, attached to a blow tube, can be activated by puffs of air.
Each toy is adapted to accept a variety of switches to meet a variety of handicaps.
Some are designed to activate tape recorders, radios and buzzer boxes. Others make the eyes of a fierce tyrannosaurus rex light up, a carefree koala climb up a tree and slide down, and a playful alligator run forward while chomping his teeth and swinging his tail.
Milne has also tailored an executive snack dispenser, which awards children with goodies after a good therapy session.
And then there's his version of the glutton pig. You know the one.
Activated by a light sensor, the pudgy pest oinks when you open your refrigerator door - subtly reminding you of the need to drop a few pounds.
Adopted and adapted by Milne, its annoying oinks delight children playing anywhere in the house - just with the push of a switch.
Despite his wide selection of toys, Milne's willing to custom tailor other toys on request.
A Barbie Corvette is his latest challenge - a special order from the mother of a paraplegic child.
By transforming the minicar's foot switch into a hand switch, Milne will make it possible for the youngster to tool around the block without anyone knowing she's handicapped.
"They know they have a handicap. But despite their handicap, it (adaptation) allows them to still be able to use the same things that everyone else does," he said. "They have the same needs to play with toys that any other child does."
"Maybe this doesn't seem like an awful lot. But for the child who can't control anything else, this gives them control over something."
Milne cites a second advantage to his tailored toys, which average in cost from $15 to $20.
"The nice thing about the toys is that the same movements the children are using to control toys, they later will be using for communication, to control computers and other things," said Milne.
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(Additional information)
Toy shows
Several Christmas showings of Kevin Milne's toys, adapted for handicapped children, are scheduled. They will be held:
-Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m., Jordan Valley School, 7501 S. 10th East, Midvale.
-Thursday, Nov. 16, 4-7 p.m., Primary Children's Outpatient Annex, 363 12th Ave.
-Week of Nov. 27, Provo/Orem area, time and location to be announced.
-Thursday, Dec. 14, 4-7 p.m., Western Rehabilitation Institute, 8074 S. 13th East.
For more information call Milne, 943-9828, or the office of the Jordan Valley School, 565-7588.