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Our History
 Dave Rountree moved to Pitt Meadows from Florida a few months after experiencing a spinal cord injury.He decided to tackle the challenge of allowing someone in a wheelchair to use the Nintendo Balance BoardTM.

After working on a series of experimental prototypes, two alternative designs emerged.  A few units were made in a garage -which have since been tested with a wide range of people.  So far the feedback is very positive.  A number of people have expressed interest in acquiring their own, so we are in the process of arranging manufacturing. We're hoping to have more news on that front shortly.


 
The Beginning

Dave's first project along this line was just a ramp to allow him to wheel to the balcony in his apartment.

With encouragement from his wife, Rosa, and his outstanding therapy team at GF Strong, Dave decided to find a way to overcome the restriction that prevented wheelchair users from using the Nintendo Balance Board to play Wii Fit.

While a group of friends were having coffee after church at Zenberry, the guys were talking about the Balance Board and decided to try a ramp approach.

Coming up with a solution took longer and was more complex than expected, trying several versions and variations.  By November 2009 there was a working version that Dave began using regularly.
 
 
 
Although this unit worked fine, its size and weight made it difficult to move and store.  So, in January 2010 a second design was built that was smaller and more transportable.  This was convenient since Dave took it several times to GF Strong in Vancouver for their Nintendo Wii Night.
 
During this period two separate provisional patent applications were filed that covered the main design approaches.

With the growing interest in these boards, the current priority became identifying a plastic manufacturer to produce some Floor-Boards to share with others.