Word on the Trail
What others are saying about the AdvenChair.
When something comes along as revolutionary as the all-terrain hiking wheelchair AdvenChair, it’s bound to cause a stir. And that’s exactly what has happened in its relatively short lifespan. Here’s what people are saying about it before it has even officially hit the trails.
AdvenChair All-Terrain Hiking Wheelchair Test Drive Customer. Photo courtesy of Kellianne Jordan
Isaac Shannon
Bend, Oregon
“When I first sat in the AdvenChair the world opened up, it was the most exciting experience for me because I hadn’t hiked in fifteen years. The AdvenChair enabled me to take the routes most everyone walked because I am no longer limited to the wheelchair accessible routes in the city”
Bob Barber
Bend, Oregon
“My daughter was in hospice care and the family used the AdvenChair to allow her to tour her farm. She was excited because she never thought that she could get in the woods like this again and thought it was wonderful to be able to get around the farm together, even just to collect the eggs. My seven year old granddaughter called the AdvenChair ‘EPIC’ and was impressed that her aunt could be on the hike”. Sarah passed away shortly after the tour.
”The AdvenChair was so easy to use. It’s simple but elegant design with high quality parts allowed me to easily disassemble, transport in my SUV, reassemble, and adjust for my daughter. The multiple adjustments for rider comfort are intuitive and function easily”
Michal Lane
Santa Cruz, California
“I work at an outdoor school and we use beach wheelchairs, which are wholly inadequate, but they’re the best thing available. Some kids are embarrassed to use them. The AdvenChair, on the other hand, was ‘badass’ and kids would not only want to use one, other kids would want to help them.”
Random twenty-something on the trail
Bend, Oregon
“That’s a dope setup sir”
Pat Addabbo
Executive Director,
Oregon Adaptive Sports
Bend, Oregon
“From my standpoint as a program provider, the key things I would be looking for are adjustability for different sizes and abilities of people, ease of assistance by staff/volunteers, and durability. The AdvenChair fits all of these. I think the AdvenChair will surely fill a need in the adaptive recreation industry.”
Callie Pfister
Bend, Oregon
“My dad has Parkinson's and dementia and isn't very mobile, especially on uneven ground. I had called all around to find a chair to get my dad out on the River Trail, and to my surprise – in this town that rents all manner of bikes, even six-passenger surreys, SUPs and boats and skis – nobody had anything. Then I found Geoff Babb, who happened to be in town, and let me try out the AdvenChair. It was exactly what I was hoping for. It totally made it possible for us to get out into the outdoors my dad used to spend so much time in. It tracks well on uneven ground, even at running speed, and its wheelbase makes it stable. I really hope this option is added to the various rental fleets in town, because I know a lot of people with less-mobile family members who would enjoy getting off-pavement where the good stuff is.”
Carol Stiles
Executive Director,
Stroke Awareness Oregon
Bend, Oregon
“Stroke affects one in six people and is the leading cause of disability in the world. Those experiencing stroke may lose mobility and the activities they enjoyed pre-stroke. Certainly, the ability to participate in outdoor activities like hiking can be lost and no one knows this better than you, Geoff.
The Stroke Awareness Oregon Board of Directors applauds your tireless work to promote stroke awareness and your dedication to enhancing the mobility of stroke victims through the AdvenChair. Your courage and ingenuity in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. The conception of a wheelchair able to withstand the rigors of outdoor wilderness activities is a breakthrough. We encourage you to keep rolling boldly.”
Michelle Pearson
Redmond, Oregon
“Three years ago, I had a Hemorrhagic Stroke that left my left side paralyzed and in continual need of an assistant. I used to be quite active in the outdoors with friends and family. That came to a sudden halt after my stroke as the regular wheelchair I now have gets easily stuck in soft dirt surfaces and my family has to jerk it around to get it unstuck. I would be honored to be available to help try out your product.”
Kylee Hoelscher
Louisville, Kentucky
“My daughter became paralyzed almost three years ago from a spinal cord stroke, and is a paraplegic. Finding equipment for pediatrics is very difficult, so I'm excited to see this product! I'd love to get out hiking again with her!”
David Price
President/CEO,
Bok Tower Gardens
Lake Wales, Florida
“Bok Tower Gardens is a public garden and nature preserve. We are committed to access to our lands by our nearly quarter million visitors a year. The AdvenChair project is one we support and look forward to benefiting from the research into building a better chair and having one of these chairs for our visitors’ convenience.”