‘Magical’ Innovation Helps Cerebral Palsy Patients Progress

Inventors hope manufacturer will mass-produce device so more may benefit

David Blaski’s invention of a one-of-kind device that helps cerebral palsy patients swim better than they ever imagined, and likewise can benefit other swimmers, has magical roots.

The Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness-Schererville senior clinical occupational therapist, who recently won the 38th Annual Maddak Award for Best Innovation of the Year, credits the magic he began learning at age 10, and has since honed to place him at professional ranks, for helping to plant the seeds that led to the patented idea he hopes a manufacturer will pick up upon, so that more people can be helped.

“I approach therapy like a magician. If something is supposed to be impossible, how can we make it possible?” said Blaski, a St. John resident and Calumet City native.

He devised the idea in 1998 for what would become the Aquatic Stabilizer Apparatus, after a therapist with whom he was working discussed the case of a mutual young female patient who loved the water, but whose legs crisscrossed badly in the pool, making treatment difficult.

“The therapist lamented that they always had orthotics to reduce this condition for walking, but there was nothing for the pool. So, on my lunch hour one day, I sketched out an idea of what it might be and spoke with my brother, Kevin Blaski, who is the co-inventor and in construction engineering.”

Subsequently, after further discussion and working in the brother’s Griffith garage, they devised a prototype of the apparatus, which was further developed and subsequently patented on the first attempt about five years ago.

“Some kids with cerebral palsy have difficulty with muscle tone, which causes the scissoring of the legs. In this position, it is hard for them to learn gait patterns and normal movement patterns – it almost freezes their bodies,” Blaski added. “The device allows alignment of the body so arms and legs can be used more effectively. It also has resistance devices to build strength that can be used by regular swimmers.”

Today, four children who are patients at Omni use the apparatus, the third prototype, as part of their aquatic therapy. Numerous parents nationwide have indicated interest in it on his website, Blaski said.

“Parents love it as well,” Blaski said. “They can use it with their children and take it to the pool or beach and not have to worry. It has a handle on the back that allows for much better control of the patient in the water. While the child is having fun, it can be adding to their therapy. It could help a lot of kids and parents.”

He is seeking a manufacturer to mass-produce the apparatus, since it would cost-prohibitive for the brothers to attempt on their own.

Blaski applied for the Maddak award and was chosen over about 15 other contestants. Maddak, established in 1971, is the largest U.S. manufacturer of assistive devices, clinical modalities and home health care and rehabilitation products, according to its website.

Blaski has been with Omni four years and in his profession for 20.

Before that, he trained as a magician, first learning the craft through the owners of the legendary Wayne’s Trick Shop in Hammond, and later becoming friends with world-renowned David Copperfield through his Project Magic program, which teaches patients “magic tricks of therapeutic values.”

“David had the idea in about 1982. I sent him my resume and was one of the original magicians chosen,” Blaski said. "We did workshops and programs for local therapists.” Both also are members of the Society of American Magicians.

In 1992, Blaski began training to become an occupational therapist and found his magic experience invaluable. He still performs, mostly at work-related and community events.

“By learning close-up magic, the seeds of occupational therapy were planted. I can grasp things not using normal grasp patterns, so when I work with a child who has hand problems, I can show different ways to hold and manipulate things. Wayne (of Wayne’s Trick Shop) told me to make your weakness your strength. I have lived by that. If people say it’s impossible, show them it’s not.”