When There's A WHILL There's A Way
Donation protected
This fundraising campaign is to raise the funds for Carden to purchase WHILL Model M wheelchair.
The last 7 weeks she has been an ambassador for WHILL Inc. who designed a revolutionary wheelchair. As her ambassador term comes to an end, she realizes the need for a more robust wheelchair due to the progression of her FSHD Muscular Dystrophy however insurance currently does not cover the chair.
My experience with WHILL.
Follow her journey on Instagram @cardenofmilk
Name: Carden Wyckoff
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Condition: FSHD Muscular Dystrophy
Prior device before: Go Go Elite Traveler Scooter
Main use: Living life, advocacy, and work
What’s her story?
Born and raised in Atlanta. Attended UGA- go dawgs! I was born with FSHD muscular dystrophy and diagnosed at 9. Due to the nature and progression on the disease, it has led me to be reliant on wheels as legs since late 2015. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city, going to the park, playing fetch with my cat, volunteering at the GA Aquarium and planning the next great piggyback adventure. I’ve skydived, been piggybacked through the 82 mile GA section of the Appalachian Trail, and plan on hiking Mt Kilimanjaro this year. I believe that no matter what your physical condition is, you can achieve extraordinary goals and overcome challenges life throws at you. I believe in the power of positivity and that you have to go after what you desire.
Why did she choose Model M?
I heard about WHILL from a coworker who test drove it at a tradeshow in California. When she sent me pics of it, I was hooked. I chose Model M due to its ability to take the broken Atlanta sidewalks with confidence and ease. In my free time, I roll all around town, find places where the sidewalk is broken and put in a service request to Atlanta City Services to have it repaired. These areas are often not very wheelchair friendly and lack sidewalk curb cuts; the scooter I used is not robust enough to handle this terrain. WHILL’s 4WD and superb stability opens the door to unexplored territory and provides me the opportunity to roam freely to places I’d never go before in my scooter and advocate for change and disability awareness, which is what I am passionate about. As my condition continues to progress, I was in need of a chair that can accommodate a busy lifestyle, provide all day comfort, and be robust to take on the sidewalks; Model M far exceeds these needs.
What does she like about Model M?
WHILL is my little spaceship. The sleek design is the first thing everyone comments on. Next is the omni wheels; it looks and feels like you’re floating on land. I’m always on the go and love to travel; the speed of WHILL and battery range on a single charge meets my needs. It’s also very quiet which is important while driving throughout my workplace. In addition, Model M’s small footprint and tight turning radius make it easy to navigate narrow halls and doorways, and the seat slide function allows me to sit comfortably at tables and be more involved in conversations at business meetings or lunch with friends. The arms easily move up and down with a slight push making it easy to transition from the chair to the bed, toilet, or another seat without any hassle. The arms are lightweight and this is important like myself with little upper body strength. Model M is designed to suit even the taller individuals; I’m 5”11’ and it was easy to customize the chair to fit my height. The footplate, arm rests, and backrest can all be extended which is great! My scooter does not have this level of customization. There’s still a societal stigma against individuals in wheelchairs in thinking they’re incompetent, and driving a bulky, not so attractive power chair or grocery cart type scooter doesn’t help overcome this challenge. The design and product specs of WHILL changes the game. People are mesmerized by it, and I often catch people staring. Model M’s design strips this stigma away and that’s why I believe in WHILL power.
How has WHILL impacted her life?
WHILL Model M allows me to live life, go further, dance, advocate for disability awareness in new ways, and explore the unknown. The 4WD allows me to participate in outdoor activities I wouldn’t have been able to before. No longer do I have to second guess traveling over pebbles, grass, uneven surfaces, or 3” curbs. This is a remarkable feature in a wheelchair as not all surfaces are level or paved. WHILL gives me a whole new confidence than my prior scooter, as I’m proud to show off this cool device. It’s a conversation starter and allows me to network with others. Model M allows me to do what I’m most passionate about which is disability awareness and advocacy as I can venture into areas that need it. It allows me to roll right up to tables, navigate around tight areas, and keep up with life. http://whill.us/experiences/carden-in-atlanta-ga/
The last 7 weeks she has been an ambassador for WHILL Inc. who designed a revolutionary wheelchair. As her ambassador term comes to an end, she realizes the need for a more robust wheelchair due to the progression of her FSHD Muscular Dystrophy however insurance currently does not cover the chair.
My experience with WHILL.
Follow her journey on Instagram @cardenofmilk
Name: Carden Wyckoff
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Condition: FSHD Muscular Dystrophy
Prior device before: Go Go Elite Traveler Scooter
Main use: Living life, advocacy, and work
What’s her story?
Born and raised in Atlanta. Attended UGA- go dawgs! I was born with FSHD muscular dystrophy and diagnosed at 9. Due to the nature and progression on the disease, it has led me to be reliant on wheels as legs since late 2015. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city, going to the park, playing fetch with my cat, volunteering at the GA Aquarium and planning the next great piggyback adventure. I’ve skydived, been piggybacked through the 82 mile GA section of the Appalachian Trail, and plan on hiking Mt Kilimanjaro this year. I believe that no matter what your physical condition is, you can achieve extraordinary goals and overcome challenges life throws at you. I believe in the power of positivity and that you have to go after what you desire.
Why did she choose Model M?
I heard about WHILL from a coworker who test drove it at a tradeshow in California. When she sent me pics of it, I was hooked. I chose Model M due to its ability to take the broken Atlanta sidewalks with confidence and ease. In my free time, I roll all around town, find places where the sidewalk is broken and put in a service request to Atlanta City Services to have it repaired. These areas are often not very wheelchair friendly and lack sidewalk curb cuts; the scooter I used is not robust enough to handle this terrain. WHILL’s 4WD and superb stability opens the door to unexplored territory and provides me the opportunity to roam freely to places I’d never go before in my scooter and advocate for change and disability awareness, which is what I am passionate about. As my condition continues to progress, I was in need of a chair that can accommodate a busy lifestyle, provide all day comfort, and be robust to take on the sidewalks; Model M far exceeds these needs.
What does she like about Model M?
WHILL is my little spaceship. The sleek design is the first thing everyone comments on. Next is the omni wheels; it looks and feels like you’re floating on land. I’m always on the go and love to travel; the speed of WHILL and battery range on a single charge meets my needs. It’s also very quiet which is important while driving throughout my workplace. In addition, Model M’s small footprint and tight turning radius make it easy to navigate narrow halls and doorways, and the seat slide function allows me to sit comfortably at tables and be more involved in conversations at business meetings or lunch with friends. The arms easily move up and down with a slight push making it easy to transition from the chair to the bed, toilet, or another seat without any hassle. The arms are lightweight and this is important like myself with little upper body strength. Model M is designed to suit even the taller individuals; I’m 5”11’ and it was easy to customize the chair to fit my height. The footplate, arm rests, and backrest can all be extended which is great! My scooter does not have this level of customization. There’s still a societal stigma against individuals in wheelchairs in thinking they’re incompetent, and driving a bulky, not so attractive power chair or grocery cart type scooter doesn’t help overcome this challenge. The design and product specs of WHILL changes the game. People are mesmerized by it, and I often catch people staring. Model M’s design strips this stigma away and that’s why I believe in WHILL power.
How has WHILL impacted her life?
WHILL Model M allows me to live life, go further, dance, advocate for disability awareness in new ways, and explore the unknown. The 4WD allows me to participate in outdoor activities I wouldn’t have been able to before. No longer do I have to second guess traveling over pebbles, grass, uneven surfaces, or 3” curbs. This is a remarkable feature in a wheelchair as not all surfaces are level or paved. WHILL gives me a whole new confidence than my prior scooter, as I’m proud to show off this cool device. It’s a conversation starter and allows me to network with others. Model M allows me to do what I’m most passionate about which is disability awareness and advocacy as I can venture into areas that need it. It allows me to roll right up to tables, navigate around tight areas, and keep up with life. http://whill.us/experiences/carden-in-atlanta-ga/
Organizer
Carden Danielle Wyckoff
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
