WHITE PLAINS — Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration with Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Archbishop Stepinac High School’s Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney ‘67 Honors Academy students developed a proposed Assistive Technology (AT) innovation—a joystick—to help improve the quality of life for a medically fragile 10-year-old patient.

The students presented their innovation at the Academy’s 6^th Annual Symposium held recently at the all-boys Catholic high school.

The project was the result of a unique partnership between the Academy students — all juniors (Class of ’25) — and the team of expert AT innovators at Blythedale in Valhalla. One of only 14 specialty children’s hospitals in the U.S. and the only independent one in New York State, Blythedale is also the only hospital in New York State to have an onsite public school, the Mt. Pleasant Union Free School District, that serves both inpatients as well as day hospital patients.

The collaboration began four months ago when Stepinac and Blythedale began exploring how the Academy’s multi-disciplined approach might help Blythedale develop an AT solution for John (name changed for privacy), who is diagnosed with congenital myopathy, a genetic muscle disorder that includes weakness and lack of muscle tone. While there are medical, musculoskeletal and neurological considerations, John has the same needs and goals as a typical 10-year-old child.

John’s comprehensive rehabilitation team at Blythedale identified his need for an adapted joystick. Working with Blythedale’s AT expert innovators, the students developed the prototype of the joystick aimed at helping John. In so doing, potentially, his quality of life as well as that of other children with similar disabilities, will be significantly enhanced. This adapted joystick, not covered by insurance, will facilitate multiple goals including playing video games. This AT will aim to improve John’s autonomy, sustain motivation with adapted learning and enhance engagement with his family.

The scope of the project also raised the students’ awareness about the need for and the financial challenges with AT as well as cultivated a culture of empathy in understanding that all patients have different abilities, not disabilities. 

The academically top performing students in the Academy’s four disciplines—engineering, health sciences, finance and economics and law—presented their research findings and proposed AT innovation for consideration by Blythedale professionals. Veonica Smith, Stepinac science instructor, served as moderator.The panelists lauded the college-level analysis, in-depth research and practical solutions-based approach in developing the prototype joystick for John and potentially other children similarly afflicted. Flanagan told the students they had done an ”amazing, spot-on job” and Henderson, a Stepinac alum, declared: “I could not be prouder.”

“Stepinac was honored with the rare opportunity for our Academy students to undertake a very meaningful project with Blythedale, a pillar of excellence,” Father Thomas Collins (Class of ’79), President, said. 

At the conclusion of this year’s Symposium, a video showing the arm of John successfully manipulating the joystick to play a video game was shared with the audience comprising members of the administration, faculty, students, parents, alumni and invited guests from the community, among others. The Academy students then presented the final adapted joystick to the Blythedale panelists to bring to John for his continued use and enjoyment.

“Our family would like to express our appreciation to the Academy students for their time, efforts, talents and interest in Assistive Technology and for including our son in their project. It makes a difference. He’s looking forward to using the adapted joystick for school but probably more for beating his brothers at video games. We all look forward to your accomplishments in the future. Best of luck in your endeavors,” Patricia Murphy, coordinator, read from an email that John’s mother sent to the school. 

To learn more about Stepinac High School, visit their website.