It’s hard to believe we are already 2 weeks into the semester. Prior to this class, I have no Digital Making or Design experience. However, I have recently developed a new interest in design thinking and how I can apply it to my everyday life and future career in Business. I believed that this course would be a great way to start looking at the world through a design thinking lens.
During the first week of class, Illini Service Dogs, one of our clients, visited the Maker Lab. We were able to meet one of the dogs in training and learn about opportunities to help the dogs and their trainers. The class then visited the DRES (Disability Resources & Educational Services) Center to meet with our mentors during the second week of class. One of our mentors, Adam Bleakney, showed us where UIUC’s wheelchair track team works out in addition to the history of the racing chair.
One mentor who inspired me deeply was Rob, who has played several different wheelchair sports throughout this lifetime and has played an instrumental role in the evolution of sport wheelchairs. Rob’s resourcefulness in building a new, lightweight, and affordable chair inspires me to look at situations differently. Moreover, Rob explained a non-profit organization he has been working with to supply used chairs to countries in Africa. There are a large number of children in rural communities who have never left the floor of their home, and providing them with chairs gives them the opportunity to go to school and go to work with their parents.
I have always had a strong passion for serving those who live in developing countries, so this opportunity really hit home with me. I would love to help make an impact in these African communities and their children’s lives. Helping non-profit organizations inexpensively build/alter wheelchairs would not only affect the children in Africa, but could also affect other people around the world. I look forward to the opportunity this class has given me to combine my desire to utilize design thinking and to make an impact on someone else’s life.
Hi there! I am a Senior studying Marketing and Information Systems/Information Technology. I chose to take this course in order to expand my creative and design thinking skills that I can apply to my future career. I am grateful that we are provided the opportunity to take this course as Business majors.
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