By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
July 15, 2009 - 10:45 a.m. EST

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MAYVILLE — Donald Beyette can truly attest to the fact that necessity is the mother of invention.

Beyette, 59, of Mayville was born with Holt-Oram Syndrome, or Hand-Heart Disease. The condition causes the underdevelopment of the right side of the body - his arm, leg and even shoulder structure are considerably smaller on that side.

“When I was born, they thought ‘crippled body, crippled mind,’” he said. “But that’s not true.”

Not true at all.

Beyette has achieved what most said he would never even come close to. And now he can add “inventor” to that list of achievements.

After a work-related accident at his auto shop in 2000, Beyette invented the Grab-A-Cane, a specially engineered cane that is equipped with a grabbing claw on the end. The cane is designed in a way that allows for the tiniest objects to be picked up with ease - even a dime.

“You can even pick up a gallon of milk if you use both hands,” he said.

Beyette was crushed behind a truck, resulting in a severe spinal injury. When he began to walk again, doctors gave him a cane and a grabber to assist him with daily activities.

“I thought, ‘I have a hand and a half, how am I supposed to use a cane and a grabber?’” he said. “Every time I wanted the grabber, it was out of reach.”

When Beyette moved from his home in Walled Lake to the Mayville area, he began to give serious thought to inventing a cane/grabber.

“Because of the way my shoulder is pinned together, I can’t lift over 15 pounds,” he said. “Nobody ever thought I would be a mechanic, but now I can’t be a mechanic, so I’m an inventor.

“I’m a success story! Failure is not an option.”

Beyette worked closely with several local companies to engineer his Grab-A-Cane, which he has patented and trademarked. M.S. Engineering of Lapeer and Attica Machining assisted him in the process.

“There is a curve cut specifically in the grabber that I designed to pick up a one-inch pill bottle,” said Beyette.

Since developing his first model of the Grab-A-Cane in the spring of 2007, Beyette has sold about 20 of the canes; however, sales are not his goal.

“I have a product that can really help people,” he said. “I am hoping that some of these local workshops for handicapped people will make the Grab-A-Cane. This could provide jobs for the disabled and also, disabled veterans.”

Beyette’s product was chosen for analysis at Saginaw Valley State University’s Invention 2 Market Day, where student teams discussed a business plan for the Grab-A-Cane.

“They said for $15,000, I could get this off the ground,” said Beyette. “I don’t have $15,000, but if I did, that would pay for a Web site, medical liability insurance, stock, medical shows and more.”

Beyette has paid out-of-pocket for the construction of the canes thus far. He has used low-cost materials, but says the quality is unbeatable with stainless steel, aluminum and 65-pound spider wire, resulting in a lightweight, sturdy product that is adjustable for different heights and can be tailored to right or left handed individuals.

At $59.95 each, if the Grab-A-Cane sales increase, Beyette said his dream is to start a non-profit organization that would sponsor a college education for children born with Holt-Oram Syndrome.

The Grab-A-Cane can be viewed on e-Bay. Simply search for “cane grabber.”

For more information, contact Beyette at (989) 843-7336 or e-mail grabacane@yahoo.com. Each cane includes an extra wire, which operates the grabbing mechanism. Beyette will also include a free cell-phone clip for the next 50 canes sold.

“What I really need is some free money to get this thing going,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not in it to get rich, but I sure would like to get this out there to people who need it!”

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.