FUN AT THE BEACH NO PROBLEM FOR 10-YEAR OLD BOY WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
New Wheelchair Makes the Beach, Pool and Cruises Accessible for People with Mobility Needs
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (AUGUST 11, 2009) – Twins Michael and Nicholas Hadler love going to the beach. Like many 10-year old boys, they enjoy playing in the water and building in the sand. However, as Michael was born with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair from a very early age, trips to the beach were somewhat daunting for the family.
“Going to the beach was not enjoyable,” stated mom Luky Hadler. “We had to carry Michael through the sand.” As Michael was getting older and heavier, it became more difficult to transport him. “I realized I couldn’t keep doing this myself.”
The Pembroke Pines, FL residents were determined to find a better solution. “I did extensive research online. I was looking for a wheelchair that could go on the beach and in the water,” says Hadler. She looked at several different beach wheelchairs but passed up on buying them as they were either very expensive, looked clunky or the wheelchair had to be shipped from far away.
After her extensive research, Hadler located the website for Special Needs Group, Inc., a Florida firm, that sells the Joy on the Beach (JoB) beach wheelchair, an Italian-designed “all terrain vehicle” for the disabled. Delighted that the company was located nearby in Fort Lauderdale, Hadler decided to visit the showroom and have Michael give the beach wheelchair a try.
Hadler liked that the special needs wheelchair, with its oversized wheels, was lightweight, portable, easy to assemble, attractive and affordable. “It doesn’t look like a wheelchair,” stated Hadler. Additionally, the beach wheelchair was perfect for her son who could grow with the wheelchair.
The Hadlers tried the JoB wheelchair for the first time during the July Fourth holiday weekend. “It opened the world for us!” stated Hadler. “Michael stayed in the shallow part of the water and the waves came in and out around him. It provided him with freedom. My husband was finally able to relax and even able to sleep at the beach!”
The Hadlers look forward to increased freedom and more occasions to use the wheelchair at the beach, pool or on a cruise – – or even in the snow. “We traveled on a cruise last year and this would have been great. We can’t wait to use it again!”
Special Needs Group is the exclusive supplier of the Joy on the Beach wheelchair in the United States. The special needs wheelchair is lightweight, can accommodate weights up to 220 pounds and is suitable for both children and adults. For more details or to purchase a JoB wheelchair, call Special Needs Group toll free 1.800.513.4515 or email info@specialneedsgroup.com. You can also order your own Joy on the Beach wheelchair online.
ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP, INC.
Special Needs Group Inc. is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world offering a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase and rental including wheelchairs, scooters and power chairs with capabilities to support 500 pounds or more; oxygen (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, and more. Recommended by the world’s major cruise lines for superior service and value, they also provide consultation services for cruise lines regarding policy and new-build design.
Media Contact
Clarice MacGarvey
Adventures in P.R.
Ph: 1.786.338.3358
Email: cmacgarvey@adventuresinpr.com
Cheree H. Liebowitz
Special Needs Group, Inc.
Phone: 954 585-0575
Email: ChereeL@specialneedsgroup.com
