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This German grandma builds wheelchair ramps from Lego

Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach

When one enterprising grandmother began using the ubiquitous building bricks to make her town more accessible to wheelchair users, others soon became interested and now she sends build-your-own plans worldwide.

‘Lego Grandma’ Makes Wheelchair Ramps from children’s building blocks

One German grandma has come up with an ingenious way to make her town more accessible to the disabled — by constructing wheelchair ramps out of Lego blocks. Rita Ebel, 62 and from Hanau, Germany, has been wheelchair-bound since she was injured in a car crash 25 years ago, reports Reuters. As if getting around wasn’t difficult enough on its own, her town’s lack of wheelchair-accessible businesses has made certain areas virtually impossible for disabled inhabitants to visit. Fortunately, Rita managed to circumvent the problem by constructing the much-needed ramps from Lego bricks.

Faced with dozens of inaccessible shops and cafes, wheelchair user Rita Ebel has devised a low-tech high-fun solution - ramps made of Lego.
Lego Ramos in Hanau, Germany. Faced with dozens of inaccessible shops and cafes, wheelchair user Rita Ebel has devised a low-tech high-fun solution – ramps made of Lego. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
Ebel said in the German town of Hanau. She has been using a wheelchair since she was involved in a car accident 25 years ago. “Anyone could suddenly end up in a situation that puts them in a wheelchair, like it did me,” the 62-year-old grandmother said.
“For me it is just about trying to sensitise the world a little bit to barrier-free travel,” Ebel said in the German town of Hanau. She has been using a wheelchair since she was involved in a car accident 25 years ago. “Anyone could suddenly end up in a situation that puts them in a wheelchair, like it did me,” the 62-year-old grandmother said. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
Helped by her husband, Ebel often spends two to three hours a day building the made-to-order ramps which contain several hundred of the small plastic bricks stuck together with up to eight tubes of glue.
Team effort: Helped by her husband, Ebel often spends two to three hours a day building the made-to-order ramps which contain several hundred of the small plastic bricks stuck together with up to eight tubes of glue. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
“Nobody just walks past a Lego ramp without taking a look. Whether it’s children who try to get the bricks out or adults who take out their mobile phones to take pictures,”
The bright colours stand out in town centres. “Nobody just walks past a Lego ramp without taking a look. Whether it’s children who try to get the bricks out or adults who take out their mobile phones to take pictures,” Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
“It’s a brilliant idea,” said Malika El Harti, who got a ramp for her hair salon. “Everyone who walks past is happy about the ramps. Finally you can see from afar that you can get in here without any problems.”
Local businesses are also enthusiastic. “It’s a brilliant idea,” said Malika El Harti, who got a ramp for her hair salon. “Everyone who walks past is happy about the ramps. Finally you can see from afar that you can get in here without any problems.” Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
says Eber, as many families can’t bear to part with them.
Reliant on donations, the biggest challenge is getting hold of bricks, says Eber, as many families can’t bear to part with them. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
Eber, who also has a part-time job, has sent ramp building instructions to Austria and Switzerland and there is interest from Spain and a school in the United States.
The idea is even catching on abroad. Eber, who also has a part-time job, has sent ramp building instructions to Austria and Switzerland and there is interest from Spain and a school in the United States. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
In Latin, Lego means “I put together.” — The plural of Lego is “Lego.” —The plastic Lego bricks made in 1958 are compatible with Lego bricks made today.
Did you know… the plural of Lego is Lego (and do not let anyone tell you any different!) In Latin, Lego means “I put together.” — The plural of Lego is “Lego.” —The plastic Lego bricks made in 1958 are compatible with Lego bricks made today. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
“The ramps are super stable, can be made for different heights, and have the advantage that they are mobile and have a good grip,” says Ebel.
Don’t be fooled by the basic components: “The ramps are super stable, can be made for different heights, and have the advantage that they are mobile and have a good grip,” says Ebel. Source: Reuters/KaiPfaffenbach
Ramping Up! German Woman Dubbed ‘Lego Grandma’ Makes Wheelchair Ramps Out Of Lego! You may think these lego wheelchair ramps in Germany were built by helpful kids doing a school project but they’re actually constructed by Rita Ebel aka Lego Grandma! Buzz60’s Mercer Morrison has the story. Source: YouTube/Buzz60
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How to invent something useful: 12 steps (with pictures)

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