Dad’s DIY aid helps make skating more accessible for youth | 24CA News

An Ottawa father has created a skating help that ranges the taking part in subject for folks residing with disabilities who need to hit the ice.

The “IceCube” is a four-sided field that may be configured in a number of methods, relying on the consumer’s skills, to assist deliver the fun of skating to extra folks, mentioned creator David Grimes.

Grimes started engaged on the venture when his son Liam, who has an mental incapacity, first tried skating and struggled to maintain his skates beneath him.

“There are so many skating aids out there — they’re great, but not for Liam,” mentioned Grimes.

On one memorable outing, Liam’s skates slid ahead and he fell backward, putting his helmeted head on the ice and pulling his attendant down on high of him. 

That’s when Grimes set to work designing a sturdier stand-up system.

WATCH | The inspiration behind the IceCube:

Other skating aids weren’t proper for his son. So he invented a brand new one

When his son Liam was struggling to learn to skate, David Grimes took it upon himself to create the “IceCube,” which might be configured in a number of methods, relying on the consumer’s skills.

He got here up with the field of specifically minimize plywood and moveable reinforcing tubes that assist forestall a skater’s ft from sliding out. 

A central “keel” retains skates from crossing over and ensures legs aren’t tied up. It might be pushed from behind and even turns into a bench when the skater turns into drained.

“It’s the flexibility of the design that … really makes it,” mentioned Grimes.

Students ‘flourish’ due to aids, instructor says

Three of Grimes’ prototype IceCubes are serving to youngsters from a particular training class glide over the ice at Bell Centennial Arena in Ottawa’s Bells Corners neighbourhood.

Bell High School gymnasium instructor Michael Moloughney, who grew up with the fun of skating on ponds on his household’s farm, helps college students together with Liam glide across the ice as soon as every week.

“It’s been great to develop their skills and their confidence,” mentioned Moloughney. “It helps them work on their balance and they flourish.”

Grimes and Moloughney mentioned different skaters residing with disabilities may gain advantage from a tool just like the IceCube. 

Grimes, who watches his son and his classmates take pleasure in skating every week, referred to as it “more than a sport.”

“It’s a social activity, part of our great Canadian tradition, and I don’t want them to be left out.”