Series two, episode four
Series overview
Ireland’s leading inventors create ingenious solutions to everyday problems for extraordinary people.
The Big Life Fix 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.
This incredible team includes Rocket Scientist David McKeown (UCD) Designer, Inventor Trevor Vaugh (Maynooth University), Software Engineer Niamh Stockil (Microsoft), Electronic Engineer Shane Phelan(Logitech), Robotics Expert Peter Redmond (Mechatrons) and Designer Lorna Ross (VHI).
But what about the challenges set by Big Life Fix?
In the first episode, the team endeavours to help Mary Ita O’Connor, from Milford Co Cork, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 39. She’s desperate for something that will allow her to continue to run competitively. Episode One will also feature Dáire Gorman, a 10-year-old boy at the time of filming (now aged 12) from Monaghan. Dáire was born with Crommelin Syndrome causing his arms and legs to be underdeveloped.
The team will take on eight projects in total across the series. They’ll attempt to distract Theresa O’Rourke from her chronic pain and help three-year-old (at the time of filming) Evie Purdy, who is non-verbal, communicate with her parents. They will also work with David Tarpey, from Oranmore, Galway, who is paralysed from the chest down following a farming accident to sea swim with greater ease.
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 – anything is possible.
