A Day in the Life of Richard Devylder

February 18, 2008 1:09 PM

A Day in the Life of Richard Devylder[wmv, 11.5 minutes long, subtitled]
Richard Devylder, deputy director at the California Department of Rehabilitation, was born without arms or legs. The video shows how technology enables him to navigate through his daily life, everything from work, doctor's visit, eating to swimming.
posted by Kattullus (8 comments total)

Downloading now. I will never understand why people host their own videos when there are perfectly good sites that will gladly do it for them.
posted by hellphish at 1:21 PM on February 18, 2008

Wow, this guy is awesome. I really admire him.
posted by hellphish at 1:34 PM on February 18, 2008

Yes, that is awesome and inspiring and all, but... but... I really wanna see him use a robotic exoskeleton in the sequel.
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:03 PM on February 18, 2008

Jeez. Do I feel like an under-achiever and a whiner now. What a cool guy.
posted by octothorpe at 3:39 PM on February 18, 2008

Gotta ask - doesn't it take money (his own) to get this independent? Or does the city/state help?
posted by A189Nut at 3:54 PM on February 18, 2008

He is more independent than I am. He learned to swim at 9 months old. His seemingly easy going attitude is an inspiration to me.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 5:01 PM on February 18, 2008

Wow that was really interesting start to finish and worth the download.

Gotta ask - doesn't it take money (his own) to get this independent? Or does the city/state help?

Usually there are programs for the disabled that help with some assistive technologies and adsvice about finding and purchasing them. It's likely that the ones that affect and impact his job are also subsidized if not paid for entirely by his employer. In fact, there are tax advantages to getting assistive tecnology that enables you to have a job. More of Devydir's personal AT items are paid for or deductible because he is gainfully employed and they enable that to happen. What's great about this particular situation is that him being able to have a job -- with the personal experiences that he has as well as his general good nature, it seems -- assists other people who are in need of assistive technologies so it's got a decent trickle-down effect going. Here are a few more links about him

- small bio of him relating to his work with the Consumer Advisory Board.
- California Assisitive Technology Net where Devyler works [worked?] so this video is not just a sort of "hey look what he can do" but a showcase for the idea of AT generally.
- Pools of Hope program which is likely related to the excellent swimming pool he has [more]
posted by jessamyn at 6:22 PM on February 18, 2008

An inspiring post and amazing man. I love his forthright way of speaking, enjoyed the video from beginning to end. Thanks.
posted by nickyskye at 7:25 PM on February 18, 2008