About Us
We are a group of undergraduate students in the Grand Challenges Living Learning Community at Georgia Tech, passionate about improving the comfort, independence, and daily function for people with ALS!
Our Motivation
When we were researching our general problem space of ALS, we realized the prevalence of ALS, which affects approximately 450,000 individuals worldwide. The average life expectancy of someone with ALS is only 2-5 years, making it all the more crucial to improving their quality of life. Additionally, this disease restricts several vital functions of the human body, including walking, talking, and limb movement, further reducing their quality of life. Furthermore, the lack of a cure for the disease limits the availability of healthcare options, and the cause of ALS still remains uncertain. Affordability is also a key factor when evaluating options for improving the quality of life, as existing solutions, such as expensive wheelchairs, may not be viable for everyone.
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We realized that in the realm of spasticity, or neck stiffness, there weren't any affordable solutions that were both comfortable and versatile for improving neck pain.
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We wanted to create an accessible solution that would eliminate part of the responsibility of caretakers for patients with ALS, improving their independence while being a more versatile and effective solution for all. Our RestALS headrest combines the comfort of basic headrests with the ability for independence in head rotation.
Experienced Leadership
Our Key Insights
on ALS
No Known Cure or Cause
$122 million has gone into ALS research, but there is still no discovered cause for ALS or cure for ALS.
Mental Issues
Inability to make eye contact, relying heavily on caretakers, lack of independence, and remaining mentally aware yet unable to move are all factors that lead to mental struggles for patients with ALS.
Differences in Physical ALS Issues
ALS affects each person differently. Some people will never get certain symptoms while others’ progression is much faster.
Neck Spasticity
People with ALS eventually lose their ability to move, speak, and breathe. The lack of mobility while being constrained to a wheelchair creates spasticity, or stiffness, in many muscles such as neck, legs, and arms.