Whirlwind was contacted last summer by Joshua Van Winkle about a wheelchair that could handle the rugged terrain of the Amazon jungle. He was planning
At Whirlwind we love hearing from people whose lives have been changed by the RoughRider wheelchairs we are able to provide for them. When our
All chairs sold in the US and Canada now come with Quick Release rear wheel axles. The instructions for assembling these wheels can be found
In 2013, I was still struggling with pain and reduced strength in my legs from when a car hit me while I was crossing the
We’re excited that Nenekawa Toca, an elder from the Indigenous Nationality Waorani, that lives in the Amazonian region of Ecuador has received his new RoughRider
New recipients of RoughRider wheelchairs distributed by one of Whirlwind’s partners, Global Mobility. In DaNang, Vietnam. January 2018! #roughrider #whirlwindwheechair #globalmobility
Freedom of Mobility done by ABC7 local San Francisco with Kristen Sze. This piece provides a great overview on Whirlwind and our project to get
PBS Frontline World covered Whirlwind in June 2009 in a piece called “Wheels of Change.” The story focuses on Whirlwind’s RoughRider wheelchair manufactured in Vietnam.
This is a Spanish language video made in Columbia, South America, showing the Whirlwind RoughRider, known there as the TOTEM (Todo Tereno Movilidad). The riders
Whirlwind Wheelchair International’s all-terrain wheelchair built in developing countries for use in developing countries. The RoughRider is now available for purchase in the US and
PBS NewsHour covers Whirlwind Wheelchair International’s efforts to send low-cost durable wheelchairs to Haiti for amputees after the January 2010 earthquake Ralf Hotchkiss, is speaking
Whirlwind Wheelchair puts users in the center of the design process. As such, the RoughRider has evolved out of the most common user needs we
Whirlwind Wheelchair puts users in the center of the design process. As such, the RoughRider has evolved out of the most common user needs we
The main goal here at Whirlwind is to help people go where they want. In Will Krajewski’s case this meant going with his Boy Scout
Baylee, a camper of the youth with Spina Bifida Camp Joy program, with Paige’s Princess Foundation Fundraisers, who made the RoughRiders possible.Camp Joy is now
“My wheelchair worked marvelously in London and Paris! Thank you so much!” – Jordan Ayers. This past year, on Brent Ayers family’s trip to London and
Father Thomas outside a classroom at Sacred Heart Seminary in Mubende, Uganda. For nearly 30 years, Whirlwind has been dedicated to improving the lives of people
According to Joe Briskey’s mom, “Joe loves to go, go, go, constantly begging to go bowling, or fishing, or out to dinner.” With the help
Back this spring we let you know Sri Lestari was going to travel from Jakarta to Ubud on her modified motorbike for made it to TEDx Ubud.
Double Drum Test of an early RoughRider Whirlwind is hosting the International Organization for Standards – ISO – (wheelchairs) Working Group Meetings from June 3
We are in the midst of preparing a group of User Resource pages that should be up in a few weeks. But in the meantime,
Whirlwind’s co-founder, Ralf Hotchkiss was interviewed in December by San Francisco’s KGO radio. Check out the audio clip and find out why he hasn’t
Crystal can now tend to her beloved animals, including her six horses, thanks to her new RoughRider. Getting back to doing what you used to
Dennis, back in the classroom, where he teaches a Hunter Education class at a middle school in Billings, Montana. An avid hunter, Dennis Hein, 56,
Meet Brian, one of Whirlwind Wheelchair’s first US customers. Living in San Francisco, hear why Brian loves his RoughRider.
Lack of mobility is only the first of many barriers that people with disabilities have to overcome in order to be able to fully participate
FastCoExist, a project of FastCompany Magazine, covers Whirlwind’s offering to US wheelchair riders who’ll access trails, gardens, and beaches like never before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3ybie6ZP88 Depending on the donor’s requirements, chairs may come fully assembled in the shipping box or the chairs may require a few minutes of assembly
Transcription for this video: Haiti Project with The Walkabout Foundation After the devastating Haiti earthquake of 2010, many Haitians suffered severe injuries, while much of
An introduction to Whirlwind Wheelchair International and our newest chair, the RoughRider, an all-terrain wheelchair built by and for riders in the developing world. Whirlwind
Transcription for this video: Wheels of Change by PBS Frontline_World Frontline covers Whirlwind Wheelchair’s poverty relief efforts in Vietnam and local partner who manufactures the
by Marc Krizack, J.D., Executive Director Whirlwind Wheelchair International at San Francisco State University The limited success of free market mechanisms in wheelchair provision in
Wheelchair Riders in Control WWI’s Model of Technology Transfer by Peter Pfaelzer, Ph.D. and Marc Krizack, J.D. This article describes Whirlwind’s design methodology from its
It’s Not About Wheelchairs (.pdf available here) By Marc Krizack, Whirlwind Executive Director Building an Inclusive Development Community: A Manual on Including People with Disabilities
To find the distance between your hips, first position yourself seated with pelvis upright on a firm surface. Then, measure the distance between the widest points of the hips and thighs without compressing any tissue. Finally, record your measurements. It is important not to have a chair that is wider than necessary as it will be harder to push and may prevent you from passing through narrow doorways.
Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Measure the length of your upper leg, the distance from behind the knee to the back of the pelvis (back of your lower leg). Subtract 1/2” to find the maximum seat depth, to allow for space between the back of the knee/upper leg and seat fabric. Record the final measurement.
Your preferred backrest height is determined by your personal comfort level and physical ability. Whirlwind recommends, generally, that the top of the back support should fall just beneath the bottom of the shoulder blade. For less active riders who require more torso support, the back support should be higher, falling just beneath the armpit. Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Hold your hands flat against the surface you are sitting on. Measure the distance from the seated surface to the desired, most comfortable point for support on your back. To this number add the height of your cushion when you are sitting on it. Record the measurement.
Backrest angles are determined by the torso control of the rider. Whirlwind recommends that those with less torso control, such as quadriplegics, sit with a backrest angled further backwards to avoid falling forward in a wheelchair. Those with more torso control, such as amputees, can sit with the backrest more upright. Proper backrest angle is best determined by an occupational therapist or healthcare professional. Although there is only one option – 8 degrees – in the drop-down list below, you can adjust the backrest angle by adjusting the backrest straps (i.e. looser at the bottom and tighter at the top for a more erect position).
Now please enter your measurements into the fields on the product page before ordering. For more information about measuring, please refer to the RoughRider Fitting Sheet. You are responsible for choosing the right chair for yourself. If you are uncomfortable with determining your wheelchair size, please consult a professional.