Profiles in Self-Sufficient Living

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PHOTOS: RANDY KOBERNICK/CAROL KOCH
LEFT: The powered wheelchair attachment developed by John Greenlaw, Craig Pfarr, and Dan Reukert. RIGHT: Raw milk advocate Delbert Banowetz.

The brief stories that follow celebrate the work and achievements of little-known MOTHER EARTH NEWS-type folks from all over the country who manifest a dedication to self-sufficient living.

John Greenlaw, Craig Pfarr, and Dan Reukert: Powered Wheelchair

University of Washington mechanical engineering students John Greenlaw, Craig Pfarr, and Dan Reukert have developed a wheelchair attachment that permits its user to propel his or her vehicle at speeds up to 15 MPH. The device consists of a large wheel and shaft that–when in use–serve to hold the two small front rollers of a conventional chair off the ground . . . turning the machine into a three-speed, hand-powered tricycle with front-wheel drive. The apparatus can be easily removed and parked in a bicycle rack, allowing the powered wheelchair operator to enter buildings where the higher speed conversion would not be admitted.

The prototype–which was designed by Greenlaw, Pfarr, and Reukert in the spring of 1979 as their senior project for the University’s Departments of Medicine ( Division of Research and Training) and Mechanical Engineering–has been presented to various manufacturers, and negotiations for commercial development are currently underway.–JV.

Mary Heather and Joseph Guerrieri: Rebuilt Hydropower Plant

  • Published on May 1, 1980
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