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Technology opened world of independence for woman with MS
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By Stephen Elliott, selliott@qconline.com
By Stephen Elliott, selliott@qconline.com
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ANDALUSIA - For the simple things in life, Sharie Moran is grateful. With a puff into a tube, Ms. Moran, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987, is able to turn on her lights, ceiling fan, computer or television, and answer her telephone. "I actually feel about as normal as you can," she said from her wheelchair. "I can't move my hands or my legs, but I can do so much. Think how boring life would be without these things?" At 10 a.m. today, St. Ambrose University is dedicating 'Jim's Place,' the college's New Assistive Technology (AT) House at 2126 Brown St., Davenport. A St. Ambrose Occupational Therapy Program, 'Jim's Place,' will feature adaptions for people with disabilities, such as those with which Ms. Moran lives. Through assistive technology, assistant professor and program director Jon Turnquist and occupational therapy students quietly have helped thousands of local, regional and international people with disabilities, helping them lead lives of meaning and independence, university spokeswoman Jane Kettering said. For 20 years, Mr. Turnquist has had a relationship with John and Sharie Moran, rigging up devices and computer programs that allow her to do things. "Her life, it's not easy," Mr. Moran said. "Imagine just laying in bed and waiting for someone to come help you. At least this way, she has some control. We're really blessed by the things we can do." "Jim's Place" is named in honor of the late James O'Rourke, who became a quadriplegic after an injury in 1963, but embraced a motto of never giving up. He helped create O'Rourke Brothers Distributing (now O'Rourke Sales Co.). Ms. Kettering said his family donated money for the AT house. Through the years, Mr. Turnquist has developed computer software and invented items with a tinkerer's curiosity to help people. He has won several national awards for his work. Rigging devices, such as the ones he did for the Morans, is rewarding for Mr. Turnquist. He hopes, with today's dedication of the AT home, he will be able to help more people. He said Jim's Place is a typical ranch house built half a century ago. But inside are inventions and various technologies for assisting people. "I don't know if there's another home like this." The focus, he said, is on what people can do, not what they can't. "We want students here to have a good base of knowledge when they leave," Mr. Turnquist said. "This will also be used for community members thinking about remodeling their house. And, it will be used for training clinicians." Because of gadgets and programs Mr. Turnquist developed, John Moran now can go to the store and leave his wife alone. He can volunteer at the library. His wife can puff on a tube and visit different worlds on her computer. "Jon Turnquist opened up everything for me," she said. "When my husband was working, I had to sit at the table, watch the same channel. I couldn't turn the volume up or down. "Now, I use a head piece for my computer. Jon's awesome." 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
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