Graeme's Invention
January 21, 2026
Graeme is currently living with MND. After losing mobility in his arms, and through a desire to remain as independant as possible, he has created a wonderful invention.
Graeme's invention is a tool to be used daily: a device to raise and lower his pants in the bathroom. He believes that such a device would be beneficial to others living with MND, or other disabilities that affect one's to use their arms.
Read about Graeme's journey with MND and his invention below!
It started about three years ago when my osteo noticed loss of muscle mass in my right shoulder blade. I have always been a problem solver that led a physically active life. First running a farm producing fine wool for suits and then moving into landscaping where I was renowned for my approach to retaining walls. Naturally, I assumed my shoulder issues were due to getting old and overuse across my career. The osteo recommended I should see a Neurologist. We called and the earliest we could get in was 6 months away.
During this time, my youngest son and his wife took over the Paynesville Hotel. Being the physically active person I was, I jumped at the chance to help and set out building tabletops to replace all the tops in the bistro. I was getting increasingly frustrated, as I was having trouble using a router and a hammer. Tools that I could use with my eyes closed, had now become quite difficult. I pushed on with the work and relied on my left hand and workarounds.
Getting close to the neurologist appointment, it was suggested I have a nerve conductivity test to speed up the process. This was completed at the Epworth Hospital, where the Neurologist completed the test and arranged for further tests, which I gathered were inconclusive. However, the nerve conductivity test was positive. The whole process was confronting, as it was very unclear what the issue was and no one was making it very clear. Until the Neurologist sat me down, rocked back in his chair and says, “I am diagnosing you with MND and give you 24 months”. The lack of empathy and understanding was stark. His colleague was no better, when he visited after the other tests and said “I think you’ve probably got body in the barrel disease” when I asked what do you mean by that, he said because your arms are going to be flaccid, and you will fit inside a barrel.
All of this was exceptionally confronting and as you would expect and very hard to process. We asked for a referral immediately and couldn’t wait to get Epworth behind us.
Next up was Calvary Hospital and MND Victoria. The experience was the absolute opposite, and the teams have been nothing short of amazing. So helpful, caring, and supportive. They understood we were regional and faced a 4-hour drive one way for our appointments and planned for them to be all on the same day or if necessary 2 days. Fabulous service, a one stop shop for MND patients and we have been so grateful they are there for us. (Also, the cafe makes great coffee and snacks!)
Before my diagnosis, my wife Judy and I had planned had a 4-month caravanning trip which we were determined to do while I could still drive. We had a fabulous trip, drove over 20,000 kms and had no problems, but I recognised my right arm was getting weaker and a few months after we returned, I surrendered my license. I now rely on Judy to drive and last year she drove, with me as her wingman over 10,000km in our Motorhome. It was frustrating watching her do everything, but we had no problems. I did feel the need to explain to fellow travellers why she was doing all the set up and once I told them I had MND, the offers of help were amazing even though we didn't need it. Also, I have never had so many man hugs!
The pants pulling-up device
Next on the list was to find something that would allow me to go to the toilet without Judy needing to assist to pull my pants down and later pull them up. It's very important to me that Judy maintains some independence and I wanted her to still be able to go out and catch up with friends or go shopping without worrying about me. I was sitting on the toilet and thought how the hell can I do this. After searching on the internet, I found nothing at all that could mechanically pull your pants up and down. So, then my mind started to work on this device. As mentioned, this device I have is a prototype. It is 240 V converted to 24 V. But as time goes on, I can see this being battery operated and having better switches instead of chasing these one around the floor like you see me doing. The switches could be bluetooth, even eye activated switches maybe.
Research and development would be the next phase. Probably instead of hooks, maybe a different method of grabbing the pants. Also, it needs to be cheap and readily available to anybody who has upper body injury or disease where they can’t use their arms or hands to pull their pants up.
The most surprising thing I have got out of this invention is the independence and dignity that it has been able to deliver. Just the other day, my wife went out to lunch with some friends. I was able to pull my pants up and down four times that day, no problem.
There were a couple of nay sayers about this working, and I have proven them all very wrong. I am lucky to have some very smart, supportive, and patient friends that bear with me when I come up with ideas and an extremely supportive family.
I am quite sure that if this was given to some very clever engineers working within the disability area it would have a lot of potential to help a lot of people in different ways. I can see this being self-standing fold a up etc. But because I can’t use my arms or hands, it will come down to somebody else who can design and build in conjunction with me.
We're so impressed by Graeme's creativity and determination to help others facing the same problem he was. We wish him all the best with further development of his device and hope it can reach as many people as possible.
Share page