disability

This Dad Is Creating Unbelievable Costumes For Kids In Wheelchairs

Ryan Weimer’s son, Keaton, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) when he was 9 months old. As a result of SMA, Keaton had to use a wheelchair.  When Ryan asked his son what he wanted to be for Halloween, Keaton said he wanted to be a pirate. That’s when the light bulb went off for Ryan:

A couple days later I had one of those moments when my brain decides it’s the best time for thinking – this usually seems to happen way too early in the morning when I should be sleeping or in the shower – but during this magical thinking moment I realized, “Keaton has this wheelchair he cruises around in, and every pirate needs a ship, so let’s just build one around  his chair!”     -Ryan Weimer, MagicWheelchair.org

The costume was so popular that Ryan launched a nonprofit called Magic Wheelchair to create amazing costumes for other kids in wheelchairs.

Today, there are 18 teams of volunteer builders. “This year, thanks to the help of some incredible volunteers, we have been able to spread around the country,” Wendy Barrett, a friend of Magic Wheelchair, told Simplemost. In 2016, they plan to build 25 costumes in 11 different states.

In order to be selected, the kids have to submit a short video describing their idea.   Those that are accepted get to watch their dream become reality.

 

Posted by Magic Wheelchair on Thursday, September 17, 2015

Here’s come cool photos from the designs they create:

dragon-wheelchair
Facebook | Magic Wheelchair

 

A High School Student Invented A Stroller To Help Moms In Wheelchairs

When most people take their babies for a stroll, they simply pop them in the stroller and off they go.

But for those that have to use wheelchairs, that simple exercise becomes much more challenging. That’s the challenge that Sharon Jones faced.  She was shot at age 5 and lost the use of her legs. As an adult later in life, when she became pregnant, she started thinking how she might handle this seemingly basic task.

That’s where Alden Kane, a 16 year-old at University of Detroit, came in. He invented a new custom wheelchair stroller to help.

“It was great to meet her and talk to her about what she wants and doesn’t want,” he told The Michigan Catholic. “Talking to her was a big help, figuring out the workability of the device, where to put a diaper bag, whether or not she could unhook the stroller and how she can move around in the chair.”

With the success that Sharon has had with the stroller, Alden plans to make the device available to more people in need. What a great young man, and an inspiring story.

Looking for more products that help parents with disabilities? Here are some adaptive products that can help make life a little easier:

Side doors make this crib more accessible for parents with disabilities

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Parents with Disabilities Online

This velcro wrap, called the Wriggle Wrapper, allows parents with limited mobility to sit and hold or feed their child more comfortably. It also can convert any chair into a high chair, making life a little easier for all parents when out and about.

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phil&teds

 

This swivel car seat allows parents to turn the seat 90 degrees for easy loading and unloading into the car.

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Amazon

Orbit baby G3 toddler convertible car seat, $304