Innovative wheelchair design unlocks possibilities for kids with disabilities

A local philanthropist and a group of Tulane University students teamed up to design and build wheelchairs for kids with disabilities, providing mobility and independence. CBS News' David Begnaud introduces us to the group behind this effort.

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[debcarpenter]

I worked for seven pediatricians back in the early 1980's. It was frustrating to see kids from two to twelve years that would crawl or be confined to a normal size wheelchair because there weren't mobility devices specific to their needs. Thank you to all the engineering programs at universities that have helped families overcome this problem. You're heroes in my book!

[gnilkaew]

A friend helped build my daughter's chair when she was 9 months old. She's 5 and hell on wheels now. Learning to be mobile at a young age changed her perspective of the world. I can relate to these parents and I'm moved to tears by this program.

[teresalegler]

Fantastic news! Had worked for over 20 years with severely handicapped children, ages 2-19. The differences in early childhood to suddenly be able to be upright, seated, able to maneuver themself makes a profound difference not only in her physical but also their mental development. The cost of some of the chairs for these chairs were up to $10, 000.
So grateful for these young students and their helpers for making the lives of these youngsters and families bloom and improve. Yippee to my hometown, NOLA!

[macherie]

I'm in tears that these children won't be like me, immobile unless carried by someone else until I had surgery to straighten my leg at four. Even then, I wasn't expected to walk but I watched my youngest brother starting to walk and tried it myself at 4½. I *then* got braces and crutches. And I still find the most freedom in the pool, where I can move as well or better than everyone else.

[kp]

They talk about the chair and say can you imagine the independence for that family? Can you imagine the independence for that CHILD?! Their developmental delays will decrease due to the being more engaged and involved with their environment. These chairs are so good for these children’s bodies, growth, speech, and cognition! Big thank you to these wonderful people! ❤

[mtm]

This is what humanity is capable of. It makes my heart soar!

[speaktrue]

This story made my day! Congratulations to the little guy and also to the genius creators!!! 🙌🏼🤩

[emmag.]

I’m a wheelchair user. These volunteers are literally giving quality of life to these children. Without a wheelchair life is so hard. This is amazing.

[nephtys]

This is amazing! I wish we’d get more of these stories.

[somozamaria]

This is so heartwarming I’m glad the babies get a chance it’s these chairs

[snuff]

FANTASTIC JOB for these people who are making these! Our world is just not built for some disabled people and sometimes the accommodations are mediocre at best. While my 3 boys are not in wheelchairs, they have disabilities and it just warms my heart hearing things like this.

[davidstadelman]

I Thank God for everyone involved in this. Such a wonderful display of love in action. Open sourced from people in Israel, what a great gift to the children everywhere who will benefit. Truly inspiring work being done by this teacher and students. I hope millions see this and the effort spreads like wildfire. Blessings to all.

[dianecallari]

This is wonderful! I’m an SLP/ATP presently working with preschoolers with physical disabilities. I’d love to reach out to see if they are interested in sharing their design or make more chairs for my students.

[dianev]

Our healthcare system needs to return to its roots and move away from "for profit", shame on us that we ever got into the situation that insurance underwriters call the shots. Shame on Corporate America for all the greed and abuse they get away with due to the revolving door of politics.

[shannondominguez]

So incredibly grateful for my mobility aid(my chair)it’s a true comfort to have and knowing it’s there when I need it (mainly when I go out of town and there’s a lot of walking)is so important so I understand exactly what these parents feel. Plus it gives this little man a whole new sense of independence that he didn’t have prior which is a big deal as he grows up.

[normaowens]

This! This is exactly what I needed to see! The first little boy's condition, they forgot to mention comes with the giggles. My daughter was 11 weeks early and i am lucky that besides asthma she has grown too be a healthy woman, but i remember the fears asks the what ifs. That is a long hard road to travel and i am so thankful that little Sebastian gets this step up.

[CLBROX]

This makes me so happy!!! I love open sources. When done right, it does such good for the world 😁

[Lblu]

Wonderful! A lone time ago was pulling out of our driveway & mom who was driving said 'do you hear something?' We got out of the car to check behind it and a little child on a big wheel had fallen over & was crying. Since the big wheel was so low to the ground my mom never saw the child. Putting a tall flag on the back of these wheelchairs would be just perfect for allowing people driving vehicles to see there is someone there, we had a happy ending story, the child was safe. This design is amazing! So happy for the children & families!

[heathermetz]

Absolutely amazing. Gives kids mobility and allows them to participate in their lives.

[oiaiofoster]

God Bless Those Young Ppl are Making A Big