Each year Glasgow-based design consultancy 4c creates one project that addresses the specific needs of an underserved group of people. This year the idea came from computer science graduate Grant Douglas, who’s cerebral palsy has left him with extremely limited hand control. When it comes to eating, this means that while foods eaten with a fork are okay, anything that requires a spoon (cereal, soup, rice, beans, peas, etc.) is strictly off limits, unless he wants to be fed by someone, of course (which he doesn’t).
The solution that he developed along with the team at 4c is a cone-like spoon that allows the eater to scoop food or liquid, hold the utensil upright, and then simply pour the contents into the mouth. You can see the design evolution in the photo above, but once they landed on the general shape and structure, it got rave reviews from Douglas. “I successfully [ate] Chinese with at least two portions of rice as well as a banana fritter and ice cream totally independently, and with very little spillage. This is major breakthrough, as eating rice in a restaurant would just be unthinkable before…I had 3/4 of a plate of soup with minimal spillage (again another first).”
Douglas points out that the S’up Spoon has the potential to help a wide consumer group, like those suffering from “Parkinson’s disease, people in nursing homes, and people with strokes.” It’s a noble goal and a very clever design solution, too. Consider supporting the project on Kickstarter.
