Drinking Aid Helps Those with CP

For many living with cerebral palsy, especially children, the act of drinking can be anything but convenient and many have to depend on others to simply take a sip of water.

Until recently, children with disabilities relied on others to keep them hydrated, but with a new drinking aid invention they can learn to be more independent.

Teenage Boy Lacks Independence

Mitch Hintz, 16, is a teenager with cerebral palsy and can’t hold a cup in his hands due to spastic muscles.

For this reason, Hintz has had to rely on someone else everytime he wants or needs a drink.

Hintz explains that every time he has to ask for help, a piece of his independence is taken away.

Drink Aid Proves Beneficial

One day, Hintz reportedly suggested to a teacher that he would love to be able to drink on his own.

Word spread to an NDSU electrical engineering professor and in a short time, a drinking device was designed catered towards kids like Hintz.

‘Hearing what he needed and the lack of products for his specific need led me to come up with the design that we did,” says Nathan Livingston, co-inventor of the Drink Aid.

Hintz says that he can now drink on his own and feels more independent and less helpless than ever before.

(Source: KFYRTV)

Do you have a child who was born with cerebral palsy? If so, please contact a cerebral palsy attorney who will enable you and your loved ones to get the legal support and guidance you need and deserve.