Videos

Whirlwind And The RoughRider

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

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PBS NewsHour With Jim Lehrer

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

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Sri at TEDx Ubud

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. 

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FASTCOMPANY – JANUARY 2012

FastCoExist, a project of FastCompany Magazine, covers Whirlwind’s offering to US wheelchair riders who’ll access trails, gardens, and beaches like never before. 

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Wheelchair Riders in Control

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

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It’s Not About Wheelchairs

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

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Customizing and Ordering My Roughrider

Seat Width

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.

Seat Depth

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.

Backrest Height

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.

Preferred Backrest Angle

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.