When Mandy McCracken lost her lower arms and legs three years ago, she never thought she would ride a bike again.
But a unique event in Melbourne this week has made it possible.
Ms McCracken is one of 10 people living with a disability, who set challenges for teams of volunteers at Australia’s first Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) event.
Engineers, designers, mechanics and IT specialists donated their brain power and practical expertise for the 72-hour Makeathon at Swinburne University of Technology.
Tikkun Olam is Hebrew for “repairing the world”.
The not-for-profit movement began in Israel, spreading across the globe in less than three years.
Instruction manuals for devices invented at TOM Makeathons are put online for anyone to access for free.
“If we solve someone’s challenge here in Melbourne, anyone around the world who has the same challenge should be able to go on to our web platform, download it and make it for themselves back home,” TOM’s creator of opportunities Michal Kabatznik said.
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“The biggest thing we’ll take away from this is the value of helping out a stranger.
“And the value of an able bodied world understanding what life is like for somebody with a disability.”
A law school graduate, David Lange transitioned from work in the oil and hi-tech industries into fulltime Israel advocacy. He is a respected commentator and Middle East analyst who has often been cited by the mainstream media
A law school graduate, David Lange transitioned from work in the oil and hi-tech industries into fulltime Israel advocacy. He is a respected commentator and Middle East analyst who has often been cited by the mainstream media
