All-terrain wheelchairs coming to some Georgia State Parks

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – All-terrain wheelchairs could possibly be coming to some Georgia State Parks by the top of the summer time. The thought is for licensed Georgians to lease chairs, freed from cost, and hit the paths.

”It’s only a sense of freedom that lots of people in wheelchairs by no means get and lots of people with disabilities by no means get,” mentioned Melanie Dunn with The Aimee Copeland Basis.

The thought is to have all-terrain wheelchairs at sure Georgia Parks. People who find themselves licensed can reserve a chair about 72 hours earlier than their hike, present up on the park with their licensed buddy, and hit the paths!

This system is a partnership with Georgia Division of Pure Assets and proper now’s solely open to folks with Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, spinal twine accidents and decrease physique amputations.

”I wish to be a voice for individuals who don’t assume that they will do it themselves as a result of they will and that’s what our basis is all about,” mentioned Dunn.

Every chair is $15,000. The chairs assist somebody who makes use of a wheelchair navigate terrain, a standard wheelchair couldn’t.

”I’m a double amputee,” mentioned Dunn, “It was like working and I haven’t been ready to do this in years.”

The inspiration has 10 all-terrain chairs and simply bought one other. They’re hoping to have sufficient donations to have all-terrain wheelchairs at parks throughout the state.

”As somebody who was born with talents and had it taken away — I can communicate to it from a distinct diploma however for somebody who has by no means had these talents, to truly have them for the primary time, I can solely think about…the general feeling of empowerment they will need to have. For us to be part of that’s simply a tremendous, superb, feeling,” mentioned Dunn.

This system remains to be within the beta testing part so if you’re watching this, you’re keen on the outside, you utilize a wheelchair and meet the {qualifications} above, this chance is perhaps for you!

Kim Morris-Zarneke, Program Supervisor for the DNR Wildlife Assets Division Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart says, “The Georgia Division of Pure Assets (DNR) is happy to associate with the Aimee Copeland Basis to make the Motion Monitor Wheelchair out there at choose DNR properties. This chair gives an opportunity for all members of the general public to get exterior and actually discover the quite a few leisure alternatives supplied by DNR. The Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart, one of many DNR places the place the Motion Monitor Wheelchair shall be out there, presents trails, archery, taking pictures, fishing, and looking alternatives that the consumer can now entry simpler than ever, permitting individuals to completely profit from the outside expertise.”

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