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He decided to design one (with help from Mike Di Gianni, now the director of North American sales, UASC) that addressed the drawbacks of existing products MI. Masciarelli, 77, who broke his hip after a fall in the shower, was unable to take a shower or bath without a chair following his hospital stay. The idea for the new bathing chair came about two years ago following a hospital stay for a bro- ken, hip, said Vau resident Giuseppe Masciare ' the inven- tOr of the devise. “We’re trying to create some independenoeasopposed to hav- ing someone there with them," said Robert V'melli, president of Mequuipped Inc., a vaughan company that is distributing the newly patented invention in North America. BY MICHAEL POWER Staff Writer A unique chair .distibuted by a York Region resident gives seniors and the disabled not only independence While bathing but allows them to get some exercise in the shower. ‘ He made about 10 drawings Invention helps with mobility problems in shower EatRight Ontario onta'rio.ca/eatright “We finally had something that was really, really good,” Mr. Mas- ciarelli said. “I did something of which I ’m proud." The shower chair, called the Universal Adjustable Shower Chair or UASC, is made of rust~ proOf stainless steel with a cast- imn base. The devise mounts perma- nently into the bath or shower From there, he had only to work out the design and style points of the chair, he said. That draft came after he showedanoutline toafriend who needed help in the shower due to several health problems, Mr. Masciarelli said. before coming up with a suitable outline for his invention D Tofindout'rfyou qualifyfor these programs, visit www.cmhc ca or call 1-800-704-6488. b For more infomation about the chair visit www.med- equipped.,com or gall 1-866-677- 8272 (UASC). Call 1-877-510-510-2 and talk to a Registered Dietitian for free. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN The chair will also debut at the National Home Show in the Direct Energy Building. Exhibition Place April 4 to 13. Purchasers of the chair are eligible for subsidi- zation by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Residential Rehabilitation Assis- tance Program for Persons with Disabilities. “The chair has been incredibly well received and we have pre- sented it in nursing homes and hospitals," Mr. Vinelli said. “Every- where we show the product, peo- ple just get really excited.” Those bars are also designed to give seniors using the chair an opportunity to exercise, Mr. Vine]- lisaidAusercancreateresistanoe bymovingthebarsinoroutwhile usingthechair. As well, a thick rubber band adjusts to three settings to create resistence, Mr. Vinelli said. As well, the Chair’s height is adjustable area and can support up to'500 pounds. The padded seat is decay-proof and features a seat belt restraint, built-in commode and grab bars that allow users to getinandoutofthechair. the shower chair. Adjustable Shower Chair and Robert V'melli, president of Med eqfipped Distributor, show Giuseppe Masciarelli (left), president of Paid for by the Government of Ontario