Shockey in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Alexander Pearks

Strength for all: Bearcat builds for stroke survivors

NeuroFit Gym serves those with neurological conditions

By Stephen Kenney Email Stephen

7 minute read January 26, 2026

When Sophie Shockey saw stroke recovery hitting a wall, she purposely built another one from scratch to break down barriers in patient care.

The occupational therapy (OT) student at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Allied Health Sciences dedicated her capstone project to constructing a rehabilitation wall at the NeuroFit Gym in Hamilton, Ohio. After witnessing stroke patients repeatedly struggle to regain physical and cognitive aptitude, Shockey transformed that challenge into an innovative and thoughtful solution for recovery.

1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Mary Dwyer

Developing an idea into a wall-mounted therapy system for physical and occupational rehab took more than good intentions. It required the top-of-the-line tools and guidance Shockey found at the Ground Floor Makerspace in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub. Grounded in purposeful relationship-building, technical expertise and deep concern for stroke survivors, her work reflects how intentional care can positively change lives.

Where there’s a will …

Shockey didn’t choose the NeuroFit Gym on a whim; she believes in the facility’s mission to “improve the lives of those living with a neurological disorder … through exercise, education, community and connection.”

The gym makes equipment and classes affordable and accessible while providing professional assistance from licensed therapists. By doing so, NeuroFit makes an often long and exhausting recovery process more motivating through professional guidance and the encouragement of a growing community of individuals on similar journeys.

Shockey helping a patient use her rehab wall. Photo/Sophie Shockey

“I came in one day in my undergrad and started volunteering,” Shockey says, “and I was blown away.” The NeuroFit Gym served as a unique rehabilitation space grounded in service to those recovering from strokes or living with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS or dementia.

As Shockey began her OT capstone project, she had to pick a focus population. She chose stroke patients, believing she could serve them through rehab equipment “designed in an evidence-based, research-inspired way.”

After determining the NeuroFit Gym’s needs, Shockey concluded that a rehab wall would best serve stroke survivors. She was eager to plan out and build equipment that wouldn’t just improve patients’ motor skills but also challenge them mentally.

The wall-mounted system Shockey built features multiple components intentionally designed to work together as a unified rehabilitation tool:

Shockey and a patient in the kitchen section. Photo/Sophie Shockey

Game and art section: Engages cognitive, motor and creative skills through activities such as navigating a maze, tapping light-up pods in sequence, manipulating locks and keys, pattern-matching with magnetic tiles and stamping and art-based tasks.
Kitchen section: Strengthens cognitive and motor skills through practical exercises like retrieving items, answering iPad-based questions about objects on shelves, completing grocery challenges and practicing food cutting skills using adaptive utensils and putty.
Laundry section: Builds functional and fine motor skills through interactive tasks like turning washing machine dials, measuring detergent and playing Laundry Bingo, along with folding clothes, organizing household items and practicing buttoning, zipping and tying on dressing boards.

Together, the rehabilitation wall supports fine motor development, bilateral coordination and planning and reaction times, all skills essential to daily independence.

While Shockey was eager to bring her project to life, that excitement was matched by uncertainty about how to tackle such a daunting project build. That’s where the Ground Floor Makerspace at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub became a turning point.

… there’s a way

Doctoral capstone projects at UC are comprehensive by design, but Shockey’s was still a massive undertaking. Instead of just designing a rehabilitation wall at the NeuroFit Gym, she also endeavored to build it.

Fortunately, Shockey found the support and insight she needed at the Ground Floor Makerspace. Located in the 1819 Innovation Hub – a space where entrepreneurs, creatives and business leaders converge to build what’s next – the 12,000-square-foot facility is the largest makerspace in Greater Cincinnati. Shockey, along with all UC students, faculty and staff members and those employed by 1819 partner companies, receives free access to the space.

As an OT student, Shockey had a grand vision for her rehab wall but needed help with creative elements and the fabrication process. In collaboration with trained and certified professionals at the Ground Floor Makerspace, she learned how to safely operate various tools, and her dream capstone project slowly came to life.

Over my time [at 1819], I've seen that there's no problem that can't be solved ... you just feel like everything is possible here.

Sophie Shockey, UC College of Allied Health Sciences student

“I am a student who had zero experience in fabrication, design or anything like that,” Shockey says. “Over my time [at 1819], I’ve seen that there’s no problem that can’t be solved … you just feel like everything is possible here.”

Beyond the initial insights makerspace staff and co-ops offered her, Shockey was properly trained and certified in safely using a laser cutter, 3D printer, CNC router, miter saw, drill press, sandblaster and powder coating machine. Each of these tools – and more – are available in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace after simple trainings and certification programs.

Shockey admits that at the beginning, she was intimidated by the makerspace. “I was nervous at first,” she says, “but this place is open to anyone, it’s welcoming and it’s exactly what I needed. This space is a learning space.”

Being a blessing

Sophie gives huge credit to makerspace workers like Jordan Walker. Photo/Alexander Pearks

While completing her capstone project is an accomplishment, Shockey finds greater joy in seeing her rehabilitation wall benefit stroke survivors. Witnessing personal struggles transformed into triumphs shows her that the capstone project – and her choice of OT as a career – is all worth it.

“Getting to see clients use the wall and seeing that the activity worked for them was really rewarding,” Shockey says. “That’s what the whole thing was about, really: helping people improve and rehabilitate for the future.

“I just want to sit there and watch it all day.”

Featured image at top: Shockey in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Alexander Pearks

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