Akron Children’s research fellow gives Colt the gift of independence

Colt is all smiles upon getting the customized device Dr. Joe Magoline built.

Colt Hiller, a 7-year-old from Sugarcreek, recently received a custom-made toddler mobility trainer (TMT) to help him move around more easily. 

About Colt

He was born with a virus called “cytomegalovirus (CMV).” About 1 in 5 babies born with CMV infections will have birth defects or other long-term health problems. The virus can affect how a baby’s brain develops before birth, which may lead to learning and developmental challenges including cerebral palsy.

Colt is one of those kids, diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 6. He cannot walk on his own, and he can’t use a traditional wheelchair in his house. Therefore, he crawls around the house or gets carried by his parents, Courtney and Lucas. The family needed a better solution.

Courtney belongs to multiple cerebral palsy support groups online. She found out about MakeGood, a nonprofit organization that helps people get assistive technology to improve their daily lives. Courtney answered questions on the MakeGood website and connected with volunteer Dr. Joe Magoline, an orthopedic research fellow at Akron Children’s.

Dr. Magoline’s interest in orthopedics, research and 3D printing

He played football for much of his life and sees similarities between the sport and orthopedics. “Everyone has a specific role. Success depends on the whole team working together toward the same goal,” he explained. “Being able to apply teamwork and problem-solving skills to help a child regain function and get back to being a kid is what drew me to orthopedics.”

Dr. Magoline enjoys research for many of the same reasons. “In medicine, there are certainly many unanswered questions,” he said. “Being part of a research team allows me to help with a clinical problem, find new angles to approach the question and hopefully work toward an answer that can improve how we care for patients.”

He developed an interest in 3D printing in high school, initially making small toys like fidget spinners for his cousins. Today, he is interested in how accessible technologies can help kids like Colt.

“The cost of medical devices, and access to them, can determine whether families get the support their children need,” Dr. Magoline said. “Much of my work this year has focused on research, where the impact on patient care may take time to see. The TMT gave me the opportunity to use a different skill set to make an immediate and tangible difference for kids.”

Dr. Magoline’s skills in design and 3D printing have gone from fidget spinners to TMTs to improve mobility for kids.

A family history of helping others

Dr. Magoline comes from a family dedicated to serving others by practicing medicine. His grandfathers, Drs. Joseph Potter and Alfred Magoline, spent their careers working at Akron Children’s. His dad is an orthopedic surgeon. His mom, Dr. Susan Potter, is a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics in Fairlawn.

“Growing up around doctors in different specialties gave me an early appreciation for how many ways there are to care for patients,” he said. “A medical career was certainly on my mind as I grew up, but I kept my options open in high school and college. I ultimately found that, for me, having the opportunity to help patients every day would be the most rewarding career.”

Members of Joe’s family – grandpa, Alfred; dad, Michael; and mom, Susan – celebrate his graduation from the Western Michigan University School of Medicine.

Customizing Colt’s TMT

Dr. Magoline communicated with Courtney via the MakeGood portal to ensure he understood Colt’s needs and likes. “We’re in the Garaway school district, and we love our Pirates,” she said with a smile. “Dr. Magoline customized the TMT in Garaway’s colors. He put the school’s pirate logo on one wheel and Colt’s favorite ‘Booba’ character from Netflix on the other wheel.”

Using online open-source designs, Dr. Magoline manufactured the components on his home 3D printers, then assembled, fitted and customized the device for Colt. Most of the pieces snap together, but a few bolts connect the bigger pieces. “A traditional wheelchair can be hard for a toddler to use because of its size and the mechanics needed to work the wheels,” he explained. “The TMT puts the wheels where a child can reach them more easily. This allows children to move around more independently and explore their environment at an age when mobility is important for development.”

Colt instantly took to his customized TMT.

The test drive

Dr. Magoline delivered the TMT to Courtney and Colt before a medical appointment in August. Colt sat in his new chair, and Dr. Magoline didn’t even have time to explain how it works. “Watching Colt immediately figure it out has been the best part of the project,” he said. “What struck me most was how naturally he began using his arms on the wheels and exploring the space around him.”

Courtney reports that Colt loves his new TMT. “It helps me not to have to carry him all around the house or worry about him crawling, which isn’t good for his knees and hips,” she explained. “He can get around the house, and it’s a joy to see him being independent.”