A paralyzed woman watched her husband sneak into the garage every night.
Brad Soden, a combat veteran, was most moved by his wife’s tears as he labored for years to design a wheelchair suitable for her. Liz Soden was constantly frustrated about missing out on family hikes and camping excursions with their
Brad Soden, a combat veteran, was most moved by his wife’s tears as he labored for years to design a wheelchair suitable for her.
Liz Soden was constantly frustrated about missing out on family hikes and camping excursions with their five children because she was largely disabled in a vehicle accident only three months before their wedding.
Brad was adamant about making a change.
Brad told Matt Lauer on Thursday’s TODAY, “I’m motivated when you make her cry.” “I’ll make it happen,” she said.
Without a college degree or engineering experience, Brad, a plumber, overcame several obstacles to create a wheelchair with treads resembling those on a tank that is durable enough to operate off-road and potent enough to traverse mountainous terrain.
We lit a couple fires, but since we were nearby, we were able to quickly put them out, according to Brad.
Look at the ‘Tankchair’s’ creation process.
The resulting solution was the “Tankchair,” which gave Liz the independence she craved and swiftly turned into Brad’s full-time job.
“I could go trekking and camping,” Liz remarked to Lauer. “When we went to the snow, I used to sit in the car.” I can now accompany my kids outside and chase them around as well. I’m no longer a prisoner in the car or at home—I’m just trekking and going out.”
Tankchairs are not covered by insurance because they fall under the category of recreational vehicles, but Brad intends to give them away for free to injured veterans. The chair, which has a three-month waiting list for new ones and costs between $12,000 and $15,000 and can go up to 30 miles per hour, has proved popular among disabled warriors.
