Disabled Technic Builders

[grohl]

Do not give up. I really admire what you are doing. I would never imagine that building Technic could be possible only using mouth. You must have a really strong will. I have problems putting long axles through some complicated structures even with my hands.

Greetings from Czech Republic.

grohl

[mahjqa]

Grum; I suppose you are aware of the movie intouchables? I was wondering about your opinion on it.

Personally, I thought it was an excellent movie, and would recommend it to anyone.

[bb15080]

respect is all I can say. keep on building

[brickmack]

Truly inspiring story. A lot of Technic sets are hard enough to do by hand, it has to take a lot of skill to do it by mouth.

[grum64]

Truly inspiring story. A lot of Technic sets are hard enough to do by hand, it has to take a lot of skill to do it by mouth.

You're very kind words are much appreciated. I seem to be saying that a lot since my posting. Everyone had been so kind with their comments, it's really humbling.

I really don't think what I do is done through skill more likely just sheer bloody-mindedness!  I've never been one to go at anything in a half hearted way as those who know me will testify. The MOCs that some of you guys create, that's what I call skill. I'm genuinely awestruck! 

I find the best way for me to approach Technic is to plan it like a military campaign. I spend a few hours in the evening prior to each days build looking at the instructions on my iPad and working out the best way to achieve the next step, my 'plan of attack' you might say. I find doing it like this speeds the process up.

[Rodeown]

Grum64, thank you for sharing your story, I had tears in my eyes reading it and peoples responses.... it hit home with me because i am disabled, no where near as bad as you but bad enough that I cannot work, you sound like you have found something that pushes you to achieve.. i went through a stage of jumping from one thing to another to try to find something that i could excel at with my problems and the latest thing i found was Lego Technic. yes it is a challenge and it makes me feel very satisfied when i look at a finished model i have built. I should imagine you are the same. I take off my hat to you sir.

Well to my story. Short version - 5 year old swiming in local river, 4 mile up river farmer empties sheep dip tank into stream, absorbs through skin but not aware of anything wrong for 6-7 months, Mother notices me picking up lego with my knuckles rather than ends of fingers, tells me off, i tell her i cant feel at finger tips. rushed to hospital, in out for many years, grew up with severely damaged Nerves that caused my spine structure to be bent and twisted as there were no messages getting to my muscles that provided support for spine lumbar back area, at 13 i had hands like claws, could not use them due to the nerve damage, by 15 year old, nerves had started to regenerate, feeling came back i started to improve by 20 i was discharged from hospital as they could not see any more deteriation. I stil had severe scholiosis of spine and twisted fingers but they were working again.

i got steadily stronger and worked in many jobs, became a manager in retail and finally decided to set up my own video production company. I got married and had a child, life was great.... 6 years into running my business i started to get pains in my back like i had never felt before, back to hospital, 2 years and many drugs later i was told there was nothing more could be done for me and i should be in a wheelchair..well that was not happening! I was on many tablets that i slowly became unable to take and now cant take any pain relief atall, i have to distract myself all the time to just get through the day.

I am in constant pain but things like Lego keep me errrrr "sane", i can get involved and forget about my pains for a while, I have a wonderful wife who pushes me forward (mentally) all the time and an 18 year old son who is amazing, I also have people like you guys and gals on forums like this that make me realise that i am not alone, and then i read stories like Grum64s of people overcoming massive disabilities and I am taken aback by the strength of character they have to fight on and achieve.

And yes that was the short version

Grum64 thanks again for sharing your story and inspiring me.

[Lyichir]

This is a really inspiring story. One thing I have feared about devoting my life to LEGO is that the hobby will get harder for me as I reach old age, and my eyesight and joints begin to wear out. But you've managed to maintain your LEGO hobby even without use of your hands! It just goes to show that where there's a will, there's a way!

[allanp]

Good luck finding 8868, you will need some help with the pneumatics (like 8110) but it is a truly awesome set. It would appear to me like you are looking for a greater challenge in looking for an older set! You sir are truly greater than Chuck Norris! Well, if it is greater challenge you are looking for I would say, the most challenging build Lego have ever released is the 8480 space shuttle. But be aware, modern sets like 8258 and 8043 are very easy compared to sets like 8868 and 8480. I had both the RC bulldozer (2007 flagship model) and a MISB space shuttle on christmas of 2007. They both have a sort of similar amount of parts, but the space shuttle took me twice as long as the bulldozer. But you have an amazing strength of will and i'm sure you will triumph over 8868.

[Zaiocrit]

guys ... you are great and I feel very small in reading your stories!

thanks for sharing with us your stories!

I have the 8868, and is a beautiful building indeed!

I think the problem is the cable neck for the pump ... but if you built the 8043 I do not see why you can not manage to build this!

[grum64]

Grum64, thank you for sharing your story, I had tears in my eyes reading it and peoples responses.... it hit home with me because i am disabled, no where near as bad as you but bad enough that I cannot work, you sound like you have found something that pushes you to achieve.. i went through a stage of jumping from one thing to another to try to find something that i could excel at with my problems and the latest thing i found was Lego Technic. yes it is a challenge and it makes me feel very satisfied when i look at a finished model i have built. I should imagine you are the same. I take off my hat to you sir.

Well to my story. Short version - 5 year old swiming in local river, 4 mile up river farmer empties sheep dip tank into stream, absorbs through skin but not aware of anything wrong for 6-7 months, Mother notices me picking up lego with my knuckles rather than ends of fingers, tells me off, i tell her i cant feel at finger tips. rushed to hospital, in out for many years, grew up with severely damaged Nerves that caused my spine structure to be bent and twisted as there were no messages getting to my muscles that provided support for spine lumbar back area, at 13 i had hands like claws, could not use them due to the nerve damage, by 15 year old, nerves had started to regenerate, feeling came back i started to improve by 20 i was discharged from hospital as they could not see any more deteriation. I stil had severe scholiosis of spine and twisted fingers but they were working again.

i got steadily stronger and worked in many jobs, became a manager in retail and finally decided to set up my own video production company. I got married and had a child, life was great.... 6 years into running my business i started to get pains in my back like i had never felt before, back to hospital, 2 years and many drugs later i was told there was nothing more could be done for me and i should be in a wheelchair..well that was not happening! I was on many tablets that i slowly became unable to take and now cant take any pain relief atall, i have to distract myself all the time to just get through the day.

I am in constant pain but things like Lego keep me errrrr "sane", i can get involved and forget about my pains for a while, I have a wonderful wife who pushes me forward (mentally) all the time and an 18 year old son who is amazing, I also have people like you guys and gals on forums like this that make me realise that i am not alone, and then i read stories like Grum64s of people overcoming massive disabilities and I am taken aback by the strength of character they have to fight on and achieve.

And yes that was the short version

Grum64 thanks again for sharing your story and inspiring me.

Good Evening

Thank you for your comments and sharing your story with us all. TRULY INSPIRING.

Like you, I find doing Technic very therapeutic. It helps my tinnitus, I seem not to notice it quite as much.

With all you've achieved, your own company etc. you have every reason to be very proud.

[Rook]

Just goes to show that the will is greater than disability. When I read the title I was thinking learning disability, being diagnosed myself, but after reading that I’m proud to be a member of a community that continues to amaze me at various levels. Keep building. ;)

[grum64]

Just goes to show that the will is greater than disability. When I read the title I was thinking learning disability, being diagnosed myself, but after reading that I’m proud to be a member of a community that continues to amaze me at various levels. Keep building. ;)

I will. Thank you.

[vmln8r]

I admire your willpower. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring story.

[dhc6twinotter]

Grum64, What an awesome and inspiring story! I'm amazed that you are building Technic sets with your mouth. Way awesome.

Have you thought about speaking at various LEGO conventions? I would love to hear your story, in person, at a LEGO show. I think it would be a great inspiration to all.

[Paul Boratko]

Amazing Story! Thank You so much for sharing! Definitely a motivating read!

[barti673]

Nothing can stop the one who really wants it.

[grum64]

If you want instructions for a set 3 years or older, you can usually find them online at peeron.com

Thank you. I've looked on Peeron for set inventories but not instructions. I'll take a look.

I'm after a 8868 Air Claw Rig but either lose out in the bidding or they've been out of my price range. I might try sourcing parts & using what parts I might have in my spares cases. Might work out cheaper but I'd have to forgo my usual pre-requisite though, boxed sets with instructions only. Oh well. beggars can't be choosers.

I've done this 'sourcing parts' once before and it worked out much cheaper than any set I'd seen for sale. It was an 857 Motorbike & Sidecar set my Grandon saw while I was browsing through eBay. He liked it but it was about £45 or so. I managed to find all the parts needed from Bricklink and my own spares. All in, it cost just over £11. I bought only used parts to add a bit of authenticity to it as well as to save money. No box etc., but it's for Jake so isn't really part of my collection. He has it on display in his bedroom..

Edited March 24, 2012 by grum64

[DLuders]

@ grum64: You're not too handicapped; you have achieved many successes where others would have given up. There are many Lego fans who never even ATTEMPT Technic building, because they think "It's too hard"....

While Peeron is good, you can find PDF Lego Building Instructions on these various websites:

Lego Customer Service Building Instructions webpage (good for most Lego sets).

Lego.com TECHNIC Building Instructions webpage (good for recent sets only)

Brickset.com (good for some sets -- use the "Search" button at the top-right)

Brickfactory.info (has individual Building Instruction pages as JPGs for most Lego sets)

The 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig looks like a nice set to build!

Edited March 24, 2012 by DLuders

[apemax]

What a inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it and well done on all your achievements.

[grum64]

@ grum64: You're not too handicapped; you have achieved many successes where others would have given up. There are many Lego fans who never even ATTEMPT Technic building, because they think "It's too hard"....

While Peeron is good, you can find PDF Lego Building Instructions on these various websites:

Lego Customer Service Building Instructions webpage (good for most Lego sets).

Lego.com TECHNIC Building Instructions webpage (good for recent sets only)

Brickset.com (good for some sets -- use the "Search" button at the top-right)

Brickfactory.info (has individual Building Instruction pages as JPGs for most Lego sets)

The 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig looks like a nice set to build!

Thank you for the information. I've been using the Brickset app on my iPad mostly.

[grum64]

Grum64, What an awesome and inspiring story! I'm amazed that you are building Technic sets with your mouth. Way awesome.

Have you thought about speaking at various LEGO conventions? I would love to hear your story, in person, at a LEGO show. I think it would be a great inspiration to all.

Like everyone else, you're very kind.

Me, write a book. I don't really think I have the ability to write a shopping list let alone a book.

As for the 'public speaking', I haven't the nerve! I tried once, a few years ago or as I prefer to call it, BL, Before Lego. I gave a talk to the local cub scouts on Spinal Injury and found it really difficult.

[robuko]

Grum64, your story is amazing, and humbling. I am sure your grandson must be so proud of you, and I am overwhelmed by your achievements. I was so pleased when I finished the Unimog, the thought of building it as you do is fabulous.

What size are the clamps you are need? From your description, I guess the ones you are using are quite small, but for the use you require, I wonder if it would be possible to rig something up from technic. I am not a skilled builder, but it sounds like you want to have something a little like 2 parallel arms that will close their clamps simultaneously, with equal pressure, and in parallel. I am seperated from my bricks at the moment, so I can"t make anything, but the mechanism I am thinking of would be a little like 2 of the arms from 9189. Would it be too large? Maybe we should make this a technic challenge, there are so many talented builders here, I am sure someone has the answer.

bricklink is a reasonable guide to seller prices, for reference, although it would be an upper limit for almost all auction sites.

[grum64]

Grum64, your story is amazing, and humbling. I am sure your grandson must be so proud of you, and I am overwhelmed by your achievements. I was so pleased when I finished the Unimog, the thought of building it as you do is fabulous.

What size are the clamps you are need? From your description, I guess the ones you are using are quite small, but for the use you require, I wonder if it would be possible to rig something up from technic. I am not a skilled builder, but it sounds like you want to have something a little like 2 parallel arms that will close their clamps simultaneously, with equal pressure, and in parallel. I am seperated from my bricks at the moment, so I can"t make anything, but the mechanism I am thinking of would be a little like 2 of the arms from 9189. Would it be too large? Maybe we should make this a technic challenge, there are so many talented builders here, I am sure someone has the answer.

bricklink is a reasonable guide to seller prices, for reference, although it would be an upper limit for almost all auction sites.

Your words are most kind.

I've looked at the 9189 but from what I can see the jaws appear to close in much the same way as my clamps, like scissors do, but that might just be the way I'm looking at it (rough night, couldn't sleep, bleary eyes! Will have a better look when I can focus properly!)

As for your idea of a technic challenge to solve this, great idea. Any help or ideas would be really very much appreciated.

The clamps I use are about 5 inches long from end to end but would be more useful if they were about 6 inches. For those my (rather garbled) description confuses the ones I use now are like these

http://www.midmeds.co.uk/images/Halstead-Mosquito-Artery-Forceps-Straight-p2.gif

Whereas I need something that, as you quite rightly say, closes with the jaws constantly parallel to each other like the jaws of, say, an adjustable spanner (if that makes sense).

As I said, I'd very much appreciate any help or ideas.

[DLuders]

@ grum64: I have a Woodworking hobby, and saw these parallel-jawed pliers: "English-made with heat-treated, flat-nosed jaws. Smooth-jawed model gives a tight, non-marking grip. Serrated model holds tightly and includes a lengthwise groove to hold wire or drilled rod." -- Mfg Brownells SPECS Both 5" (12.7cm) long, 1-1/8" (2.9cm) deep. Brownells is a firearms/shooting supply company, so if you could grip them, you may find them at a Sporting Goods store in the UK.

[mrklaw]

As for the 8421, I did buy one from eBay, It cost me £77 but it had no box or instructions. Me, not knowing much about the collectability of some sets then sold it on eBay for £125 thinking I'd see another at that sort of price with instructions etc,. I've not been able to find one in my price range since. Lesson Learnt!!!

You still looking? I have an 8421 with instructions but no box that I can let you have for what you sold your old set for. Let me know if you're interested. I'm in the UK and am guessing you are too?

BTW, your story is hugely inspiring, thanks for sharing with us.