In 2017, Jim McDermott was seeking a tech-based solution to manage his daughter Mariel’s personal care. As a person with cerebral palsy, quadriplegia and the inability to speak, Mariel regularly experienced severe urinary infections and skin breakdown. Unfortunately, there were no adequate or affordable incontinence monitors on the market specifically designed for wheelchair users. Determined to find a solution, Jim set out on a mission to develop a device that would notify caregivers simultaneously when a void event occurred.


The first CareChanger prototype was developed in collaboration with the University of Victoria’s Biomedical and Engineering Design Team (BMED). After capturing second place in the National IDeA (Innovation Design’s for Accessibility) contest, Jim decided to develop a commercial version of the product to help individuals who face a similar set of challenges as his daughter. With the device showcasing transformative potential, Jim partnered with established biotechnology developer, 4M BioTech, to design and manufacture a commercially available version of the device. Today, CareChanger devices are available throughout North America and are helping wheelchair users, families, and care homes provide timely personal care.