Whirlwind Wheelchair is a non-profit organization that makes rugged wheelchairs for people in developing countries. Their main product is the RoughRider wheelchair which is designed for non-paved surfaces and can be easily repaired. Many people who don’t live in a developing country tried the RoughRider and ended up wanting one. So Whirlwind recently decided to make 100 wheelchairs available in the US on a trial basis.

According to Whirlwind’s website they have been making and donating thousands of wheelchairs around the world for over thirty years. Here is a line from their website that describes their mission:

Whirlwind Wheelchair International is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities in the developing world while also promoting sustainable local economic development in the process. We work to make it possible for every person in the world who needs a high quality wheelchair to obtain one, leading to maximum personal independence and integration into society.

Why is the RoughRider wheelchair a favorable wheelchair for developing countries? Mainly the durability and ease of repairs if needed. First the back wheels are mountain bike wheels that can handle many non-paved surfaces. The front wheels are solid casters that are wide to help prevent sinking into soft surface like mud. Next the footrests are outlined with metal pipes. This helps keep feet in place without having straps that can breakdown over time. To contrast that thought is the wheelchair back which is made from multiple straps. The idea being that instead of replacing an entire back, you just replace the damaged belt. The other beauty of the RoughRider is that many of the parts that might need replacing such as the wheels can easily be found in developing countries.

Back to the release of the RoughRider wheelchair in the US market. Again they are testing 100 wheelchairs to get feedback. They’ll use the feedback to make alterations that better fit the US user. As of December 13th they still had 30 wheelchairs available for testing. By now they might have all been reserved but if you still would like to inquire, go to this link http://www.whirlwindwheelchair.org/trial-offer/







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