Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Ralph Bjork was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 14 years ago, and as his condition worsened, he realized he would need some support.

The professor emeritus didn't have to look very far. Local carpenters, fellow churchgoers and friends and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have all offered a helping hand over the years.

Components designed by UWP students remain integral parts of his modified house.

As Ralph lost control of his legs, his wife Kathy, who quit her job at Southwest Health Center to become his fulltime caregiver, realized the challenge of getting him into and out of his wheelchair. Ralph got to work, soon designed a pulley system and enlisted the aid of UWP students.

Under the supervision of engineering professor Daryl Logan, a senior student design team modified the design and built a pulley on a sliding beam in the bathroom, as well as a sliding shower curtain.

"The students really enjoyed solving an engineering problem to serve the needs of Ralph," Logan said. "He is a very courageous person. We were very honored to have the opportunity to work with Ralph on this lift system." Logan now teaches as part of the UWP engineering program at UW-Fox Valley.

With Kathy's use of the rope and five pulleys, Ralph seems to only weigh a quarter of what he actually does. Ralph said this pulley system, made from parts purchased at Farm and Fleet, cost only $30-$40. A commercial lift might have cost $4,000, he said.

"Its works well for me," Ralph said. "There's no way she could get me out of there without that lift."

The pulley system will remain a vital component of the bathroom as local carpenter Larry Jenny renovates the space to make washing easier. The entire bathroom is being waterproofed and converted into a shower area, but the pulleys are still needed to lift Bjork into a whirlpool.

"That was a lifesaver before. That was the only way I got a shower," Ralph said. "Now it'll be the only way I'll get into the whirlpool. What they did was really nice."

Kathy uses a similar pulley to lift Ralph into and out of the bed every morning and night. "Things that we take for granted become major obstacles," she said.

Climbing steps to get into and out of the house provided an early challenge for Ralph years ago. When he started to lose control of his legs, the need for ramps became apparent.

About seven years ago a team of UWP industrial studies students, under the supervision of professor Marc Shelstrom, constructed two ramps, one at the front door of his house and one in the garage.

"They volunteered their time, and I paid for the materials," Ralph said. He added that, without the ramps, he would have had to retire a year or two earlier than he did.

"We've been blessed to have these students so close," Kathy said.

Though the disease has affected him physically, it hasn't diminished his enthusiasm to teach. Though Ralph retired from the university two and a half years ago, this summer he will get an opportunity to teach again. He will instruct a small group of students in a summer C++ computer-programming course.

"We'll actually have the students come out here. It's one of my old favorite courses," Ralph said. "I always liked that course, so I remember it well. I could almost teach it without looking at the book."