Focusing on Ability Leads David Barden Into a Woodworking Business

Out of the Woodwork

Twenty-year-old David Barden (pictured at left) of Ithaca has faced obstacles all his life. Born with cerebral palsy and a hearing impairment, David was expected never to walk. At 15 months old, Joe and Mary Barden adopted him. Two months later, he was up and running, and he hasn’t stopped since. “He’s been full of surprises through this journey,” laughs his mother, signing the words to him.

Not all of the surprises have been pleasant for David. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with myoclonus

(involuntary body jerks) and ataxia (lack of muscle coordination, which leads to tremors and falling). Both of these conditions are progressive and symptoms of some larger problem. He has been to both Mayo Clinic and Michigan State University (MSU) for testing to try to determine the exact nature of his neurological disorders. Many questions remain unanswered.

However, this story is primarily about David’s abilities, not his disabilities. At the age of three, David started school in St. Louis, Michigan, the center for the deaf program in Gratiot and Isabella Counties. In ninth and tenth grades, David was able to attend the vocational education (Voc-Ed) program in Mt. Pleasant. There, he fell in love with woodworking. Under the tutelage of teachers Mr. Michael and Mr. Merwin, David excelled—creating beautiful projects that include a coat rack, an end table, a cutting board, and a rolling pin.

Unfortunately, David’s health began to deteriorate to the point that he could no longer attend Voc-Ed. His parents, however, had already recognized his talent and love for the lathe—a machine in which wood is rotated on a horizontal axis and shaped. They were determined to help him keep doing what he loves.

To graduate from St. Louis High School, David was required to complete a senior paper and project. He wrote about ataxia in order to understand his own disability better. Since his project had to correlate with the paper, he built a bridge—literally. The structure spans a small river behind a group home near Vestaburg, a testament to what someone with ataxia can do to help others who face similar struggles.

David Barden chooses from 30 different species of unusual woods to create his pens, such as purple heart wood from Africa and olive wood from Israel. He offers several types of pens: Slimline, Comfort, Polaris, traditional- and calligraphy-style fountain pens, a perfume pen, and more. He also crafts decorative egg-scopes and small wooden tops that can spin for 3–5 minutes when made from purple heart wood. The cost for each item ranges from $18–25.

Last September, with high school behind him, David came across some projects he wanted to make for Christmas gifts. In a catalog from Penn State Industries in Philadelphia, David found kits for wooden pens, tops, and egg-shaped kaleidoscopes that he thought he could make. And he did—about 150 of them! They were such a hit that after Christmas, people started asking if they could buy some.

Suddenly, David and his parents became aware that he could have a market here. They started thinking about setting up a booth and selling at fairs, but the logistics of this presented some problems.

Then the Bardens were put in touch with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS). This organization gives short-term support to “micro enterprises” in order to get them up and running. David created a notebook of photos explaining the pen-crafting process and the cost involved. He also sketched out some dreams for future projects, including darts, yo-yos, and a chess set.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services was very interested in the products David could offer, especially since there are few others in the state doing what he does. The idea is for David to become a wholesale distributor to engravers or college bookstores. To top it off, David chose an appropriate name for his business —“Out of the Woodwork.”

I learned all this about David while sitting in his parents’ air-conditioned kitchen during the summer. We stay inside because David’s body has difficulty regulating his temperature in the heat. I spoke to Mary, who signed to David and answered for him. However, this did not hold David’s attention for long. He was not interested in talking about himself; he was restless to show off his workshop.

So we entered the garage. Even with both overhead doors open, it was filled with a delicious, wood-shaving smell. There were David’s big tools—table saw, miter saw, drill press, lathe—all lined up in the order in which he uses them to create his pens, but these are not the tools he was eager to demonstrate. He pulled his planer into the driveway and plugged it in, above his parents’ protests. “He likes using that,” explained his dad, “because it makes a lot of sawdust.” Indeed it does! David sent a two-by-four through and smilingly showed us its smooth side. “He can whittle a board down to nothing!” laughed Joe.

Mary elaborated on their future plans. “Our goal,” she said, “is to get his workshop into a separate building.” That way, it can be air-conditioned and ventilated to help with David’s asthma. His parents have made other accommodations to allow for his independence. “If David accidentally injures himself out here, he can’t come and tell me if I’m in the house,” Mary said, “so he wears a wireless doorbell on his belt.”

The garage is David’s haven. After a tough day at school or with doctors, this is the first place he comes to relax and unwind. While other activities might hold his interest for 15 to 20 minutes, he can work on his pens for four to six hours at a time.

I wanted to get David’s own thoughts about his work, so to close the interview, I spoke to him directly (with Mary interpreting). I asked about his most interesting project. “The egg-scope,” he replied. What has been his easiest project? “Pens [specifically the Polaris].” What was the most fun? “Pens.” What does he consider his masterpiece? “Pens.” Clearly, he has found his niche.

When I asked what David would like to tell people about himself, Mary gave him the words, “That I can do anything.” “He’s a pretty determined guy,” said his mother proudly.
“There are things he likes to do that he hasn’t allowed his disability to get in the way of,” added his dad. And this doesn’t just mean woodworking. David is also a certified scuba diver and is finishing up his merit badges to become an Eagle Scout. Now he can add “small business owner” to that list.

For more information, contact the Bardens at (989) 875-2674 or david@bardenfh.com.

Reprinted with permission from Life In the Middle of Michigan, July/August 2005, Volume 7, No. 4.

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