holy symbolism: a recipe for making stilts
 
Walking on stilts TRANSFORMS your idea of who you are and what you can do in this lifetime; waste no time in making some and getting up on them. Stilts are the perfect symbol for MAU because: #1. You’re never so visible as when you are on stilts — and advocating for children entails getting visible, and #2. You can’t stand still on stilts. Literally. And once you start acting on your beliefs, you can’t stop. Walking on stilts also creates a MEDIA EVENT out of a simple public action. Frankly, we can’t say enough good things about stilt walking!
 
PS: Having a devoted spotter (walking causally nearby or tenaciously clutching your hand) ensures you will have a successful stilt experience until you are a pro. MAKE SURE YOUR SPOTTER IS VIGILANT. AND some MAUs like to incorporate an old bike helmet, kneepads & wrist guards into their stilt costume.

2 pieces of 2x2 fir wood the length of your leg below the kneecap to the floor, PLUS the extra height you want. For beginning adults, a good length is 4 feet long. 2 pieces of 2 x 2, 3 inches long 2 pieces of 1 x 4, 6 inches long (knee) 2 pieces of 1 x 4, 8 inches long (foot) 4 pieces of 1 x 6, 6 inches long 4 x 1 ½ inch corner brace to fasten the foot rest 16 #6, ½ inch wood screws 4 x ¼ inch hex bolts, 4 ½ inches long 4 x ¼ inch hex bolts, 3 ½ inches long 8 nuts, 16 washers 8 ½ inch wood screws, washers optional 1 used bicycle tire inner tube 2 old tennis balls 2 yards of wide Velcro (for fastening around your knee and calves) Sport kneepads OR 1 inch foam to protect kneecaps   Tools: 1/4 inch drill; drill bit needs to be at least 6 inches long. Screw driver Wrench Hammer

Making Your Stilts
 
Follow the diagram. Be sure to glue all pieces with wood glue first and to put washers on both ends of the bolts. Cut tennis balls in large X on one side and slide on end of stilts and screw on. Feel free to email/call for help.

Special THANK YOU to Wise Fool Puppet Intervention for teaching MAU how to make stilts.