Series 1, Episode 3 synopsis:
In this episode, designer and inventor James Carrigan and electronics engineer Chiara Cavarra meet Kevin McGarry, a 31-year-old farmer from Roscommon who lost both his legs in a horrific farming accident. Kevin wants a hobby to get him off the farm and socialising and has decided he’s would like to start cycling. But just how difficult is it to build a bike for a man with no legs? If James and Chiara can find a way for Kevin to balance, they’re on the right track.
Also in this episode, engineer Shane Phelan meets 3-year-old Alana Reid Sochan in Cork. Alanna has butterfly syndrome and her parents need to be constantly vigilant. If she even lightly touches or brushes against something the wrong way, it can result in a serious wound or blister. If she scratches her skin while she sleeps, she could cause irreparable damage. Her parents are monitoring her 24 hours a day. Can Shane build a system that allows her to safely sleep in her own room? Alana hasn’t been able to play outside lately, as her parents can’t find shoes that will fit over her bulky bandages. Shane gathers a team of experts but can they create something comfortable and safe for Alana to walk in?
Series overview:
A brand new RTÉ series, Big Life Fix, challenges a group of leading designers, engineers, computer programmers and technology experts to create inventions that will transform people’s lives. Filmed over the course of a full year, the group uses cutting edge science and technology to build practical solutions for those who need their help.
Based at TOG, a facility for makers in the Blackpitts area of Dublin city, the team harnesses the power of science to create tailor-made inventions for individuals and families. Between them, they can build everything from space satellites to life-saving medical devices and military hardware.
Made with the support of Science Foundation Ireland, this series marries real problems and human drama with science, proving that with a little bit of ingenuity – nothing is impossible.