Wishes for Wheels – Cooper Philips

Homeschooled and always on the move with his family, Cooper spends his time exploring new interests and finding ways to stay active and connected to his community. From wheelchair basketball and softball to bocce and air rifle, he’s always ready to try something new.

For Cooper and his parents, Scott and Erika, having the right wheelchair is an important part of that independence. After years of using a chair that had become too heavy and difficult to maneuver, they were ready for something that better suited Cooper’s age, lifestyle, and personality.

When Cooper was selected as a recipient of the Wishes for Wheels Program, the family was thrilled. Not only would he receive a lightweight wheelchair designed to support his growing independence, but he could finally have a chair that felt like truly like an extension of himself, right down to the perfect shade of green.

We met with Cooper and his mom to learn more about Cooper, his passions, his journey with wheelchair mobility, his experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program, and what having his new APEX C Carbon Fiber Wheelchair means for him and his family.

Interview:

Motion Composites: How has Cooper’s new wheelchair changed his mobility and independence?

Erika: I think the biggest challenge before receiving his new wheelchair was simply growth. His previous chair no longer fit him well, and we were looking for something that would be easier for him to push and maneuver. When you have a neuromuscular disease, weight is a big factor, you need all the help you can get.

MC: What would you say are your favorite features of the APEX C?

Erika: One of our favorite features in the APEX C is the anti-rollback brakes (NEWTON Grade Aid Wheel Locks). We didn’t even know those existed before, but they’ve made hills and ramps much more manageable. Before, hills weren’t really feasible for him, and now he’s blazing up ramps and hills by himself. He’s also figured out that he can use the handrims to help open doors, which has been a huge game changer for his independence.

The flip-down push handles are another feature we really appreciate. Sometimes the handles can get in the way, so being able to fold them down is really convenient. Moving from a pediatric chair to a more adult-style chair has also been important for Cooper. At 13, he wants something that feels more grown-up and doesn’t look like a little kid’s chair.

The NEWTON Air-Grip handrims have made a big difference too. His old handrims had tape that was coming off and hurting his hands, and he had trouble getting a good grip. Now, he loves showing everyone the features of his new chair. He’ll say, “Look at my Air-Grip! Look at my anti-rollback brakes! Check out how I can do wheelies!” He loves showing off everything his chair can do.

Overall, I think the biggest difference is the weight. His new wheelchair is much easier for him to push because he isn’t dragging around all that extra weight. It also fits him better, and he sits a little taller, so he’s more visible. All of those things together have made a huge difference for him.

MC: How did you first hear about the Wishes for Wheels program?

Erika: We first heard about the Wishes for Wheels Program at an expo in St. Louis where Motion Composites was exhibiting. We stopped by the booth to take a look, and one of the representatives mentioned the program. At the time, we were still about a year away from seriously looking for a new wheelchair, but they encouraged us to apply as a way to potentially get a carbon fiber chair.

We applied in November, and Cooper was selected in January. We were completely shocked!

MC: What was your reaction when you found out Cooper had been selected?

Erika: Honestly, at first I thought, “Seriously? For real?” We never win those kinds of things! We were already dealing with the challenges of getting his previous wheelchair covered, and insurance was fighting us on every little thing that needed to be justified.

It was incredible to realize that we could take insurance out of the equation and get Cooper a chair that was custom-fitted to him and in a style that he actually liked. It was a phenomenal gift and such a game changer for our family.

We received the chair around March or April, so it’s still very new to us. We’re absolutely thrilled with it. I’m constantly on Motion Composites’ Facebook page telling everyone how much we love the program!

MC: What does Wishes for Wheels mean to your family?

Erika: We really appreciate what the program does. We’ve already told friends about it, including people we’ve met through wheelchair basketball. We have friends in Canada who are looking for a new chair, and I’ve encouraged them to apply because you never know when you might be selected.

I think word of mouth is your best marketing. When we can tell other people, “Look at what we got,” and share our experience, that means a lot. Even beyond the program itself, Cooper’s chair is everything and more than what we were looking for. It’s sturdy, it’s wonderful, it’s built to last, and it has growth potential. It really has been an amazing experience for us.

MC: What was it like when Cooper received his new wheelchair?

Cooper: I like it a whole bunch. It’s really nice! My favorite color is actually green. I often tell people it’s purple, to mess up with them, because I already have so much green (laughs): my chair is green, I have a green hat, and I have green everything! But the green in my wheelchair is perfect!

Erika: When we first saw the APEX C, we were so excited. Yes, the green was the perfect color for Cooper. Change can be hard, though, so there were a few adjustments we had to make when he first got into it. But he adapted quickly, and now he just zips around everywhere in it.

The biggest thing we've noticed is how much more independent he has become. With his old chair, we often had to push him. With this one, he just goes.

MC: How has the new wheelchair impacted Cooper’s day-to-day life?

Erika: He’s definitely able to participate in more activities. For example, he started playing boccia in his own chair, and the maneuverability of his old chair was difficult, especially because it had to fit into a small space. His new chair is much easier for him to maneuver.

He can also go up ramps and other inclines independently, whereas we always had to push him before. Opening doors is easier, and he can go to the restroom on his own. His old chair didn’t fit well in certain spaces, so there were places where he simply couldn’t manage independently. Now he can go to many more places on his own, and he feels comfortable doing it.

Even getting in and out of the chair has become easier. He’s figured out how to do more things for himself, and I think that has really helped his confidence.

MC: What has receiving the Wishes for Wheels wheelchair meant to your family?

Erika: It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are. A gift like this is incredible, especially because it allowed us to avoid all of the insurance drama and the constant fighting to get what we knew was best for him in terms of weight, fit, and functionality.

We had been working toward getting him a new chair, but we don’t think the chair we were looking at would have given him the same confidence or independence. This chair has surpassed what we thought we were going to get, and he’s only had it for a couple of months.

It’s especially meaningful for young wheelchair users because they’re growing constantly. Insurance may only cover a new chair every few years, but there is a lot of growth that happens in between. Having access to a chair that fits him properly and supports his independence makes such a difference.

MC: How did you find the Wishes for Wheels application process?

Erika: It was a bit long, about four pages of questions, but I’m so used to filling out medical paperwork that I didn’t find it particularly complicated. Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly how to word things, but overall, I didn’t think the application was difficult.

MC: What would you say to the team behind the Wishes for Wheels program?

Erika: Thank you. Thank you so much. In this day and age, things like this don’t happen very often. We understand that companies have to look at budgets and bottom lines, but to see a need in the community and be willing to give something like this is phenomenal.

And it’s not just once a year. It’s a quarterly program in both the U.S. and Canada. That’s an incredible gift. I’m sure Motion Composites wishes they could give even more chairs away, but even what they’re doing now makes a real impact.

MC: What would you say to other families who are considering applying to Wishes for Wheels?

Erika: Do it. Just do it. We’ve already told everyone we know who could benefit from it. Cooper gets lots of comments about his chair, and he loves showing people all of its features. Whenever someone tells us they’re looking for a chair, we say, “You need to apply. Just apply.”

We’ve been sending people to the Motion Composites website because you never know. If you don’t apply, you definitely won’t be selected.

We want to thank Cooper and his mom, Erika, for taking the time to meet with us and share her experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program. We loved learning more about them and seeing Cooper's sparkly personality shine through!

If you or someone you know uses a wheelchair and could benefit from a high-end ultralightweight manual chair, but don’t have the means to obtain one, we encourage you to apply for the Wishes for Wheels Program. The application is simple, straightforward, and can be completed entirely online.

Learn more about the Wishes for Wheels Program or apply today!