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This Organization Helps Kids With Missing Limbs Become Their Own Superheroes

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Autodesk/Blue Bergen

Kate Ganim’s background in design and psychology may seem like an unusual combination. But the founder of the organization Superhero Boost discovered how to fuse the two fields into a groundbreaking design workshop for kids.

Autodesk/Blue Bergen

Superhero Boost is a week-long creativity design workshop intended for kids to address a missing limb as a potential superpower, rather than a disability. The children work alongside professional designers and engineers. They are taught to use Autodesk design software and Google AI technology to envision and prototype their own super powers.

As Ganim observes, disabilities are often problematized. People look for solutions to fix it. “Yet most kids with upper limb difference were born that way and do not identify as “missing” a limb,” says Ganim. “We want to create a space for kids to celebrate the bodies that they are in. We hope to help them create body mods that are fun and expressive, not necessarily intended to “solve” a problem.” Using 3D printing, Autodesk design software, and Google AI technology, kids at Superhero Boost lead the creation of their own super powers.

Ganim’s goal for the workshop is to help empower kids and inspire them to be creative. And the program has done just that.  Sydney,15, a workshop participant with upper limb difference, shared that the experience was particularly meaningful to her. “It is made for upper limb amputees to come and make a cool fun arm. Not an arm that is used for an everyday life,” she says “What I loved most was the opportunity to work with all the people from Autodesk, KIDmob, and Google.” An avid BMX rider Sydney even took her existing BMX prosthetic to the next level by designing voice-controlled lights to distract her competitors during the race.

Kenzie, 16, another superpower designer, created a beautiful form with sculptural qualities, including a glowing gemstone inspired by her favorite video game. She has plans for future iterations of her design that will include a sphere inside of the device with controlled levitation capabilities. “I took inspiration from medieval gauntlets and other fantasy weaponry,” says Kenzie.

Ganim continues to be inspired by the kids and their boundless creativity. “These kids are rock stars when it comes to designing and making. They leave our workshop with technical skills, like 3D modeling, 3D printing, robotics, prototyping with more confidence,” she shares. Plus they gain relationships with design and engineering professionals. They experience bringing their ideas to life.

Autodesk/Blue Bergen

Ganim and Sarah O'Rourke, head of brand strategy for Autodesk Education Experiences, shared more.

Jeryl Brunner: What does Superhero Boost do?

Kate Ganim: Superhero Boost is about helping kids rethink their disabilities as a super-ability, and to celebrate the bodies they're in. Hosted at Autodesk with access to 3D printers and tools for making things, we bring together kids with limb differences to learn new technology and design their own their own superpowers through personal wearable devices. Our partner, Born Just Right, is essential in cultivating a growing community of these young designers, and engaging them in ongoing opportunities to design and rethink their world.

Brunner: Why is Autodesk involved in Superhero Boost?

Sarah O'Rourke: Autodesk believes that inspiring kids of all ages to imagine, design and make anything is fundamental to our organization. Initiatives like Superhero Boost show kids how design can change the world around them. They can do it themselves and not wait for anyone to come up with these ideas. All kids want to solve problems and we give them the ability to do that.

Brunner: What do you hope the kids get out of the week?

O’Rourke: I hope that the kids leave with the power that they can redesign anything in their path. These kids have had their eyes opened wide from how to rethink everyday items to be modified to suit their needs. I know that they will be excited to head home keep the conversation going. Making will give them the ability to recreate the world they live in.

Brunner: How has Superhero Boost helped change you?

Ganim: It has also helped me to be more aware of disability and physical difference, language and perceptions around it. I'm always learning more about how I can do my part to challenge assumptions and perceptions, and to be a good ally and advocate. And there is always more to learn. It is incredibly humbling to see what these kids go on to create and hearing from their parents how this experience has impacted them in such a significant way.

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