NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved through NPR.org.
NPR reports on Geoff Babb, inventor of the AdvenChair, and how his mountain bike-like wheelchair will help people with serious disabilities access trail systems. It has handlebars, disc brakes, and a bright orange frame. Its purpose is to help people with serious disabilities access trail systems. A popular hiking trail in Bend, OR was a testing ground for Geoff (See Image).
Fourteen years ago, Geoff had a stroke. Even though stroke is the leading cause of serious disability in the nation, he found existing all-terrain wheelchairs didn't suit his needs. According to the NPR article, "Driven by a love of the outdoors, [Babb] invested countless hours in this prototype for an all-terrain wheelchair, creating a new team sport in the process. A single rider can power the AdvenChair, but like many stroke survivors, Babb's arms won't propel him. Instead, he relies on teammates pushing, pulling and steering. Currently, there is a prototype complete for the AdvenChair, and the idea is being pitched a to tourism companies that lead adventure trips for people with disabilities.
For more information, visit the hiking/outdoor wheelchair's website.