Obi feeding device ‘perfect,’ ‘a miracle’ for boy with rare joint condition

Trevor Eichelbaum, owner and operator of Adapt Mobility, says Obi is a robotic arm that is programmed to scoop food from the dish and bring it directly to his mouth. Reid works the device himself using two small switches that can be positioned wherever he needs to be able to reach them.

Obi was developed in the U.S. by someone whose parents had ALS, allowing him to continue feeding himself for a longer time, Eichelbaum explains.

“In Reid’s situation he’ll be able to continue feeding himself for the rest of his life which can be a very long time. This gives him a level of independence that he’s not able to get otherwise because he simply cannot get his hands to his mouth,” he says.

Reid’s condition is called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

His mom Rebecca says the new feeding device will give Reid more independence at home and at school. She calls the gift a miracle and a dream come true.

“Before we had his surgery last March for his elbow release it would take him a minute and a half to eat one tortellini,” she says. “And you can imagine the exhaustion it takes to have that full minute of maneuvring your whole body essentially to bring it up to your mouth.”

Eichelbaum has known Reid for years, shooting a CHAT TV commercial in 2019. He says Reid was a superstar in the commercial and is a superstar to him personally.

When the commercial began airing Eichelbaum says they got many calls, messages and people coming into the store saying how much they enjoyed seeing Reid being independent and doing what little boys do despite his condition.

Gladys and Richard Harty were among those touched by the commercial.

“We just fell in love with him,” says Gladys.

Over the next couple of years they would often think of Reid and if there was some way they could help him out. Eventually they approached Eichelbaum, who suggested Obi.

“We talked about it and he showed us a little film and we got quite excited about it,” says Gladys. “So we’re happy that we’ve done it and and it’s really exciting to see him use it today.”

The Hartys contributed money, and Adapt Mobility gave as well. Manitoulin Transport and Sun City Ford also donated and the full $10,300 cost of Obi was covered.

Eichelbaum gets emotional when asked what it means to help Reid, and is eager to do it again.

“I love my little buddy. He’s my little guy, so I love helping him out and seeing him do things that he should never be able to do,” he says. “If we can help him to do some more things that he’s told he should never be able to do I’m more than happy to do that.”

by Chris Brown

Obi feeding device ‘perfect,’ ‘a miracle’ for boy with rare joint condition

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