Karina’s journey with Guided Hands®
Karina Williams is a resilient and creative woman from Hamilton, Ontario, who has become a cherished part of the ImaginAble Solutions community.
Following a life-threatening surgery in 2021, Karina lost mobility in her legs, arms, and hands. Activities that once brought her joy like painting, writing, and texting were suddenly out of reach. For years, Karina adapted the only way she could: by using her mouth to hold a paintbrush or stylus. Still, she longed for more independence, for a return to the creative life that once defined her.
Then came a phone call that would change everything.
Through March of Dimes Canada, Karina was introduced to ImaginAble Solutions founder and CEO, Lianna Genovese, a young Hamilton engineer with a passion for inclusive design. Lianna had developed Guided Hands®, an assistive device that empowers individuals with limited hand mobility to write, draw, paint, and use touchscreens, all by harnessing the movement in their shoulders.
Their first meeting was emotional. With the help of Guided Hands®, the very first word Karina painted was faith, a word that carried her through the darkest moments of her journey.
“Before Guided Hands, I never thought I could be creative again,” Karina shared. “This device gave me back a piece of myself that I thought I’d lost. Every time I use it, I feel that faith and joy return.”
Karina now uses Guided Hands® to write, scroll through Facebook, send texts, take notes at church, and even play Mario Kart. One of her proudest moments? Writing her married name for the very first time.
But Karina’s journey didn’t end there. Inspired by the impact of Guided Hands®, Karina asked to join the mission at ImaginAble Solutions. Today, she hosts a social media series called Krafts with Karina, where she demonstrates fun, accessible art projects for children and adults with hand disabilities. Through this series, Karina has found purpose and a platform to show others that creativity has no limits.
“Being part of the team has given me a voice and the chance to share my story,” Karina says. “I finally feel like I have a purpose again.”
Karina’s story is one of thousands. Guided Hands® is now being used by individuals with Cerebral Palsy, ALS, spinal cord injuries, arthritis, and more across North America and as far away as Australia. Children in hospitals and homes, seniors in long-term care, and students in classrooms are regaining their independence and rediscovering the joy of creative expression.
For Karina, it means everything that this innovation was born in her hometown. She visits the ImaginAble Solutions Hamilton manufacturing site regularly to test new prototypes and offers feedback on accessibility.
“The world was not built for us,” Karina says. “But it’s companies like ImaginAble Solutions that help us get our lives back and give us hope.”