ABSTRACT
Mrs. O., a former pharmacy manager and mother of seven, details how participation in a Detroit makerspace helped her recover self-worth after a traumatic brain injury. Maker movement supporters often announce themselves and the movement through manifestos about democratizing manufacturing, revitalization of community, and a return to a do-it-yourself ethos. Members in each space collectively created mission statements and rules that adapt to the needs and wants of participants. The community addresses how it handles issues such as protecting personal property and community equipment, and what kind of behavior is acceptable in the space. Mt. Elliott members often participate in soup kitchens, neighborhood parades, and other community events to invite people who do not think of themselves as makers to join in. A certification process is used to gain access to certain equipment/processes; the participant’s achievement is marked with the clang of a loud gong and everyone cheers.
