Wishes for Wheels Winner – Sam Primeaux

Nearly eight years ago, Sam’s life changed forever when he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. At only 17 years old, hearing that he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair was an incredibly difficult reality to accept. However, instead of giving up, Sam committed himself to recovery; he was determined to regain his independence.

That mindset sparked a transformation. Sam turned to fitness to rebuild his strength and take control of his independence. The gym quickly became a cornerstone of his journey, and the local fitness community embraced him with open arms.

Where Sam is from, there are not many adaptive athletes. But this is not what made him stand out; it was his refusal to accept limitations and his continued drive to break barriers and tear down stereotypes.

Today, Sam is a fitness social media guru who tries to empower people and show them that. He is also an entrepreneur who created his own athletic clothing brand, which embodies Sam’s resilience and determination. Sam aspires to create a non-profit to give back to the Spinal Cord Injury community, which has helped him since the moment he had his accident.

Last Fall, Sam got his Wishes for Wheels Wheelchair, a beautiful Sapphire Blue APEX Carbon Fiber wheelchair. Of course, we wanted to know how things are going and ask him to share his experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program.

Interview:

Motion Composites: How did you first hear about the Wishes for Wheels?

Sam Primeaux: I first heard about it from a friend. I was telling her about some issues I was having with my wheelchair, specifically a pressure sore starting to form on my tailbone. I was a little nervous to bring it up. I said, “Hey, I’m starting to notice this red spot. I’m doing my pressure reliefs and everything, but it’s just not really helping.”

Her reaction was immediate: “Oh no, we can’t afford to let that happen.” She had dealt with a pressure sore about three years earlier, and it had been a major setback. It really affected her physical health, which then took a toll on her mental health. So, we were both very determined to make sure I didn’t go down that same road.

That’s when she told me about the Wishes for Wheels Program and suggested I apply. I thought to myself, “why not?” I submitted the application and just crossed my fingers.

When I got the call, I couldn’t believe it! I was beyond excited!!

MC: Can you share with us your experience applying for the Wishes for Wheels program? What was the process like?

SP: It was actually a very short, straightforward process. I thought it was relatively simple.

The process wasn’t long at all. Once I got the initial email confirming that I had been selected, we went back and forth a bit to schedule a time for me to meet with the providers for the fittings. We ended up meeting at my therapy center, and the measurements didn’t take long.

The tech who helped me through the process was incredibly knowledgeable—not just about the fitting itself but also about all the accessory options. For example, I got a new type of handrims that I had never used before, and the grip on them makes a huge difference. The brakes, the backrest—there were so many little details I wouldn’t have thought to consider, but they walked me through everything with ease.

The design process was really straightforward. They even emailed me a CAD drawing of the chair so I could review it and confirm the dimensions. Once everything was approved, the turnaround was surprisingly quick. I can’t remember the exact timeline, but within just a few weeks, the chair was built and on its way to me.

That was a big deal because one of the biggest issues I’ve seen with custom wheelchairs is how long the build process usually takes. But Motion Composites was incredibly efficient—they completed the whole thing in about six weeks, maybe even less. It was awesome.

MC: How has receiving the wheelchair from Motion Composites impacted your daily life?

SP: My day-to-day life has been drastically improved since getting the APEX C! My posture has always been a challenge because of how high my injury level is. But having a wheelchair that’s custom-fitted to my body has made a huge difference! It supports my posture much better, which helps reduce pain by the end of the day—and that means I can stay in my chair longer and more comfortably, and I have more energy throughout the day!

Now, I can go to the gym, but I’m also able to get out into the community more. Having a properly fitted chair has made all the difference. Before, if I spent too much time in my old chair, the pain and discomfort would build up so much that I didn’t want to be around people.

But now, I can actually enjoy being out, meeting new people, and reconnecting with my social circles. It’s really helped me become more active and sociable again, which feels amazing.

One of the biggest changes has been the weight of the chair—it’s so much lighter than my previous one. Any time I go somewhere, I’m getting my APEX C in and out of the car at least four times. With my old chair, that was tough—especially on days when I was in pain, tired, or just feeling worn out. It honestly limited my ability to run errands or get out and do anything.

Now, even if I’m feeling fatigued, I can still easily lift the chair in and out of the car. That convenience makes a huge difference. Plus, the frame on this chair is more compact, which makes me feel nimbler. I can maneuver better, and I’m not constantly bumping into my steering wheel or mirrors when I’m loading it into the car.

It’s been a total game-changer in my daily life.

MC: What features of the wheelchair do you find most beneficial or useful?

SP: The carbon frame is hands down my favorite part of this chair—it's the thing I keep telling everyone about. It’s lightweight, durable, and just makes everything easier. I also really love the scissor locks. Honestly, they’re the best brakes I’ve ever had.

I've been in a wheelchair for almost eight years now, and every other chair I’ve used had braking mechanisms that wore out quickly. Being as active as I am—transferring in and out of my car, my bed, or the gym multiple times a day—I used to have a lot of issues with the brakes failing. That led to a lot of falls.

But since I’ve had this new chair, I haven’t fallen once in over a month and a half. That’s a huge change. With my previous chair, I was falling at least once a week—not because I’m clumsy, but because the design just wasn’t balanced well. I always felt like I was fighting to stay upright.

This new chair has completely changed that. It’s safer, more stable, and gives me a lot more confidence in my day-to-day life.

MC: How did you feel when you found out you were selected as the recipient of the wheelchair?

SP: I was extremely excited and incredibly grateful when I got the call. At the time, I was out in Denver training, and in Colorado, there’s just so much more you can do in a wheelchair—exploring the cities, visiting parks, getting outdoors. But being in my chair that much more often meant I was also dealing with more pain and fatigue.

So getting this new chair came at the perfect time. I was honestly in desperate need of it. My old chair was falling apart—parts were breaking, the backrest wouldn’t stay in place, and the brakes wouldn’t lock properly. It was getting to the point where even the little things were making everyday life more difficult.

When I heard I was getting a new chair, I felt like a kid in a candy store—I couldn’t believe it. And when they came to my therapy center for the fitting and we started picking out the colors, I was over the moon. It was such an exciting and much-needed upgrade!!

MC: What advice would you give to others who might be considering applying to the Wishes for Wheels program?

SP: I would highly recommend it to anyone. A new wheelchair is something we sometimes take for granted, but once you get one that's truly fit for you, it’s eye-opening just how much of a game changer it can be.

Living life in a wheelchair is incredibly challenging—just day-to-day tasks can be exhausting. But having a wheelchair that’s ultralightweight, and truly feels like an extension of your body makes a world of difference. It takes away so many of the daily headaches and frustrations that come with using a poorly fitted chair.

Honestly, it’s made things almost enjoyable. I actually feel excited to get out of bed, roll around, and take on the day—because I know I’m not starting off already dealing with discomfort or equipment that holds me back.

That’s why I strongly encourage anyone who’s eligible to apply for Wishes for Wheels Program and look into getting a Motion Composites wheelchair that’s tailored to their needs. It can completely transform your life!

MC: Thank you for the time to meet with us. Do you have any last comments?

SP: I just want to reiterate how appreciative and thankful I am for the Wishes for Wheels Program, say thank you to all the Motion Composites Team, and mention once again how much this APEX C has been a game changer!

We want to thank Sam for taking the time to speak with us, and telling us his experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program.

Don’t forget to check Sam’s social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook), and if you are a gym junkie, make sure to check his brand Inner Animal to find your new gym fits!

Finally, if you have not done so, don’t miss the opportunity to apply to the Wishes for Wheels Program. The application process is simple and can be completed online.