Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration with Blythedale Children’s Hospital, 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.

They presented their innovation at the Academy’s 6^th Annual Symposium held recently at the renowned 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 to maintain 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.

The recent ‘23-’24 school year marked the first time that John was able to attend school outside of his home.  Assistive Technology (AT) is incorporated into every aspect of his physical mobility, academic and social-emotional learning. Blythedale is a renowned leader in developing AT that enables children to function more independently in areas where they would otherwise have difficulty, need assistance, or be unable to participate

Regarding the partnership with Stepinac Honors Academy students, Julie Knitter, OTR, Director of Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology said: “It’s always exciting to see the next generation of innovators become inspired by what they experience at Blythedale Children’s Hospital. And from an educational standpoint, I love seeing high school students learn about the world of disability and inclusion. That sensitivity and awareness will serve them well throughout their lives.”

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 presenters for each discipline were:

Health Sciences: James Lyons of Yonkers and Michael Nelson of Yorktown Heights

Law: Jalen Roberts of Spring Valley and Brady Adorno of Stamford, Connecticut.

Economics and Finance:  Emmanuel Mosko of Yonkers; Tyler Moroni of Ossining; Dyland Adorno of Stamford, Connecticut and Ian O’Brien of Tuckahoe.

Engineering:  Vincent Goodrich of Mamaroneck and Liam Felipe of Ossining.

The panel of experts included:

Health Sciences: Blythedale’s JeanMarie Florkowski, OTR, ATP and Marnina Allis, CCC-SLP, ATP.

Economics and Finance: Blythedale’s John Flanagan, MPA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Law: Brian Henderson, Esq, Stepinac alum (Class of ’80).

Engineering: Blythedale’s Andres Guerrero, MSE

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.”

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

It was the first Symposium that the Stepinac Honors Academy had undertaken with a prestigious, best practice partner since the small, three-year advanced learning program for academically top performing students, unique to the region, was launched six years ago. It followed the Academy’s five prior Symposia that addressed major and very challenging issues including the Flint Drinking Water Crisis, Climate Change, Food Insecurity Crisis, Opioid Crisis, and Space Exploration-Colonizing Mars.

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.

​​​​​​​

Paticia Murphy, coordinator, read an email that John’s mother sent to the school.  In part, it read: “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.”