Alabama high school students design revolutionary aquatic wheelchairs

ALABASTER, Ala. – Engineering students at Thompson High School have designed game-changing wheelchairs for kids with disabilities that can be used in and around the water.

Thompson’s engineering teacher, Brian Copes, challenged his students to design these wheelchairs after the need was brought to his attention by another teacher. Alabaster City Schools would take groups of students swimming at the local YMCA, and two students would have to be carried into the water because they use wheelchairs. They needed wheelchairs that could be used in the water.

The engineering students accepted Copes’ challenge and built their new wheelchairs out of PVC pipe and other materials that can be found at home improvement stores. The students were able to build their designs for around $150, a price that is thousands of dollars less than what similar models cost.

“Most of the wheelchairs are extremely expensive,” said Devon Shephard, a student in the engineering program. “But ours are extremely inexpensive because of the PVC pipe and I think it’s going to be revolutionary because so many people are going to be able to afford them and experience the beach.”

The students created a number of different models for kids to use. Some have large wheels to easily ride over sand, and others feature seats low to the ground so kids can reach the water faster.

This project is not the first time Thompson students have used their skills to change lives. Their instructor, Brian Copes has been nationally recognized for challenging his students to solve real-world problems. They’ve designed prosthetic limbs and delivered them to remote villages in the mountains of Honduras. Copes and his students already have plans to return to Honduras this summer to set up interactive classrooms.

But this project in particular hit home for the Thompson students because they were able to see others get to enjoy being in the water or going to the beach for the first time – something the Thompson students do without even thinking.

“I’ve been in the ocean many, many times and take it way for granted. I didn’t know how much I took it for granted until I did this and noticed that, how hard it is for them to even get in the ocean,” said student Dallas Smith.

“It really filled my heart to know that we were actually making a difference, that we were actually doing something for someone. It was an amazing experience,” Shephard added.

(h/t WBRC)