Jerry, the Bear with Diabetes

The 2009 DiabetesMine™ Design Challenge Entry

Northwestern University
Design for America

designforamerica.pbwiki.com

JERRY, THE BEAR WITH DIABETES
Need
Diabetes is a hard disease to cope with. Especially if you are a child, and have no idea why this is happening to you. As designers in Northwestern University, we believe that the early experiences in life are critical and play a huge role in the character. This is the reason why we have designed Jerry, the Bear with Diabetes. Jerry will answer two dilemmas children face living with diabetes. Guilt and invasion of personal space.
No one really knows why children are diagnosed with diabetes. Given this fact, there is an unbearable feeling of guilt, a Why me? feeling. Although approximately 8% of the U.S. population is diagnosed with diabetes, there is still a sensation of loneliness and separation from their age group inside children. The other factor is the invasion of personal space between ages 4-11. We have observed that it is acceptable, from a childrens standpoint, to be dressed or taken care of until a certain age. It is very disruptive that the parents constantly invade childrens area by insulin injections and glucose checks. Imagine this scenario: Mike, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a month ago, starts crying after his finger is pricked by his mom, who was just trying to help his son. How does he feel? How does his mother feel at this point? Our innovation is targeted to overcome these two feelings. It will help children familiarize themselves with the lifestyle and the procedures of diabetes, while supporting them psychologically. It is a subconscious proof that diabetes can happen to everyone, and they are loved regardless. This idea will ease the transition into diabetes, and give children a glimpse of the parents point of view, therefore increasing communication and understanding. Solution
We have designed an interactive teddy bear that offers a solution to the problems described above. It is interactive, practical and educative.
Our design is a stuffed animal equipped with a backpack, filled with a toy syringe that detects correct injection areas of the bear, toy glucose tablets that affect Jerry if placed near his mouth and a glucose meter that provides real-time information about his blood sugar level (high, low, or fine).
Jerrys predecessors have proven to be a commercial success; there is a great need for a higher technology teddy bear.
Features
He is interactive. Jerry will let the user know his diabetic status by commenting on how he feels, i.e. Im feeling drowsy Children can measure his blood sugar, inject insulin in designated places or feed him glucose tablets.
After receiving the treatment, Jerry will give feedback to the user on how he feels. This is the forgiving design aspect of our innovation. Right now, there is no way children can actively practice diabetes care other than themselves. Mistakes with Jerry are not lethal, and will allow rapid learning.
How often will Jerry show symptoms? This can be automated, or can be taken to a new level of design. Our group has designed an online gaming platform that Jerry, the Bear with Diabetes is the main character. He goes through adventures and solves puzzles involving diabetes, and gets hungry. By connecting your toy to the USB port of your computer, Jerrys online diet will have a direct effect on his symptoms regarding diabetes. This way, not only practical aspects of diabetes are taught, but also the correct diet can be shown to children. It is much cooler to eat properly if your best friend is enjoying it on the screen! His diet can be saved in an electronic log, which will allow children to actively keep track of their diet. Essentially, we would like to allow children connect with Jerry in many levels; they can match their diet, their life with diabetes and how they cope with their treatment.
Feasibility
As with all toys, the more components it has, the more expensive it becomes to manufacture. Sponsorship with drug companies that manufacture medicines and devices for diabetic patients would help keep costs down. If a corporation paid to have its logo branded on Jerry's accessories, it would help keep the price of the product affordable.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Design for America
• Northwestern University

[eliandtam]

i want to buy him!

[xXAlexInWonderLandX4]

Thats a great idea! i wish they would have invented something for my and my older brother when he got type 1 we were really young and didnt know to much about it ..but thank goodness out family did!

[baylann]

laf

diil

[bluedidi1]

haha