Quadriplegic Starts Wheelchair Revolution!"7 years ago I was injured in a motocross accident that resulted in a C6/7 spinal cord injury. I had young children and as I lay there in the hospital all I could think about was how I could be a Dad that actively participates in their lives," says Patrick Dougherty, inventor of the FreeWheel™.
On April 9, 2010 the innovative FreeWheel Wheelchair Attachment will be showcased at the LA Abilities Expo and again on May 22-23 in New York at the NJ Convention Center & Expo. This revolutionary invention will bring mobility and independence to wheelchair users around the world.
After years of development and testing, the FreeWheel has gone from idea to reality. Dougherty said, "The key to developing a piece of adaptive equipment was to remember an early lesson from engineering school, "K.I.S.S., Keep It Simple Stupid." And he has.
In seconds the FreeWheel Wheelchair Attachment can be removed from the Storage Perch on the back of a wheelchair and clamped to the footrest of a rigid frame manual wheelchair. "With a wheelchair the front casters catch on anything and everything," explains Dougherty. "The FreeWheel gets the smaller casters off the ground and puts a larger wheel out front."
As the user rolls forward, the front casters are smoothly lifted off the ground turning their wheelchair into a sturdy three-wheeler that can attack any terrain. The result is vastly increased mobility and immediate independence, something all wheelchair users crave.
In his garage Dougherty built a number of FreeWheel prototypes with the help of his twin brother, Mike. These were sent to wheelchair users world-wide who tested it in all sorts of situations and environments.
"The feedback from users was very helpful in improving the design, but the best part was hearing their personal stories. Incredibly inspiring!" explains Dougherty.
"My wife and I went on a few walks that we normally avoided … [due to] the gravel and uneven ground. I [now] fly over it like concrete. This is among the best innovations I've seen since being injured 37 years ago." Gary, Blaine, WA.
"Today I go camping with my children and am out on the grass cheering them on during soccer games. My FreeWheel goes everywhere I go," says Dougherty. "My dream of actively participating in the lives of my children IS a reality."
Go to www.gofreewheel.com to see inspiring testimonials as well as fun videos of users demonstrating how dramatically the FreeWheel changes the lives of the wheelchair users everywhere.
For more information contact: Cindy Krieg at 208-571-2051, email: gofreewheel@live.com.
New video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2u-T4Oc4_M
#### Contact: Pat Dougherty (pat@gofreewheel.com)
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FreeWheel News & Updates
FreeWheel at the Abilities Expo in Houston
August 27, 28 and 29 in Houston
Release Date: 8/19/2010 FreeWheel PATENT
On June 15, 2010, U.S. Patent # 7735847 was issued for the All Terrain Adapter for a Wheelchair, more commonly known as the FreeWheel™ Wheelchair Attachment.
Release Date: 6/29/2010 Join our Facebook page
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Release Date: 6/18/2010 Quadriplegic Starts Wheelchair Revolution!
After a motocross accident Patrick Dougherty realized he needed a wheelchair that improved his mobility....
Release Date: 3/31/2010 FreeWheel in Idaho Statesman
Release Date: 3/9/2010
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