CHARLOTTE, Mich. – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Eaton is grateful for a wonderful donation of 100 custom 3D-printed sensory toys from Charlotte High School teacher Lance Beasley.
The Charlotte 123 Primary Care Clinic, 123 Lansing St., received the donation Wednesday in an effort to give young patients healthy sensory alternatives to self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
The donation came together after Summer Clay, a staff member at the clinic, identified a need among adolescent and teen patients for coping tools that provide sensory input without causing injury. Clay recalled that Beasley had offered his 3D-printing expertise to the clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic and asked if he could help. Beasley agreed to donate the toys at no cost.
“Being a teacher at Charlotte High School, I know that if I can just reach one kid, it’s worth it,” Beasley said. “So, if this helps even one kid here, then I’m pretty happy with the ability to do this and donate.”
The toys are designed with small spikes that provide mild, painful sensory input without breaking the skin. Clay said the goal is to offer a safer alternative for children who engage in self-harm.
Clay said access to mental health care in rural communities is limited, with few providers serving children. Transportation and cost also create barriers for families.
“Getting these children not just the access to health care but getting them to all the support services that go along with it can be very, very hard,” Clay said. “Asking parents to go out and buy something on Amazon can be just one added extra thing. So, we were looking for something in our clinic that we could use for that.”
Beasley used a Bambu 3D printer to produce the toys, printing about 20 at a time over 15-hour cycles. He said the assembly process was physically demanding.
The clinic plans to distribute the toys through its on-site behavioral health consultant, who works with patients during appointments.
To learn more about services at UM Health-Sparrow Eaton, visit: UofMHealthSparrow.org/Our-Hospitals-Services/UM-Health-Sparrow-Hospitals/Eaton
