Off-road wheelchair loaner program for SC

I am looking to start a non-profit company to provide action trackchairs on a temporary, as needed basis to disabled or mobility impaired persons in South Carolina. Trackchairs are essentially off road wheelchairs. They are able to drive through snow, mud, sand, shallow water, up steep inclines and more!

 

Manual and regular powered wheelchairs greatly limit their user in regards to non-paved, off-road surfaces. Often, this could mean no more fishing, hunting, hiking, time on the beach, working in the yard, and so much more. Just think, if you were mostly limited to staying on the concrete, how much of your life and hobbies would just disappear. It is estimated that 25.5 million Americans have travel limiting disabilities. These are disabilities that make leaving the house difficult, whether that be using a cane, power chair, wheel chair, walkers, etc. this means 7.7% of the US population could benefit from a program like this. This doesn’t even include elderly folks who have difficulty getting around safely, who could also benefit from using these chairs for certain functions and activities. 

 

I myself am a paraplegic due to a hunting accident that occurred Christmas Eve of 2020. I have always lived a fairly “on the go”, outdoor lifestyle. Suddenly being confined to a wheelchair was very difficult for me. Thankfully, while at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, for part of my recovery, I was introduced to the trackchair. I was fortunate to find a used one for sale for $5,000. Since the normal starting rate for the most basic model trackchair is around $12,000, (which can increase to almost $25k), I jumped on the opportunity knowing it was a once in a lifetime deal and chance for me to regain some independence.

 

I use my chair all the time for hunting, fishing, navigating hiking trails, doing yard work, playing outside with my kids, etc. I noticed that, when I would have the chair on my trailer when I was in town or at a gas station, I would have people coming up to me all the time. The would ask for more information about it, because they knew of someone who could use something like it.

 

Knowing the high price of these machines, I felt bad knowing those people may not be able to ever get one for themselves. I decided that I want to try and start a business that will acquire chairs over time, and run off of donations from the community, so that I could loan out track chairs to individuals on a temporary basis at NO COST to them! Whether it be exploring our state parks in the mountains, or the beaches on the coast, or a random fishing or hunting trip in between, I want to try and make a difference for people like myself who are mobility impaired who may not have the financial resources to purchase one of these chairs for themselves. My goal is to be able to help people regain a portion of their lives and independence.