Wishes for Wheels – Oleksandr Babashko

Alex immigrated to Canada in 1999 and has been drawn to the outdoors ever since. As a kid, he spent his days outside, walking, exploring, fishing with his dad, and staying active through sports like volleyball and taekwondo. That love for movement never left him. As an adult, he built a career as an electronics technologist in industrial control automation and became a proud dog dad together with his lovely wife.

In 2022, Alex was diagnosed with primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. The progression was faster than expected, and over the last few years, his mobility changed dramatically. He found himself using a wheelchair full-time. As his condition progressed, he found himself increasingly confined indoors, limited by equipment that simply couldn’t keep up.

In 2025, together with his OT, he decided to apply to the Wishes for Wheels Program, which allowed him to receive a custom HELIO C2 carbon fiber folding wheelchair. Finished in burgundy red with matching aluminum Newton ultracasters and a NXT BioFit cushion, Alex’s new wheelchair isn’t just lighter, it is designed to move with him. For the first time in months, independence, mobility, and the possibility of returning to the nearby park with his dog Moxxi felt possible again.

In this article, Alex shares with us his experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program and how his new HELIO C2 wheelchair has impacted his daily life.

Interview:

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

Alex Babashko: I first heard about the program through my occupational therapist. She had worked with the Wishes for Wheels Program before, and one of her previous patients had been selected. When she saw the wheelchair I was using at the time, she immediately had concerns.

It was a steel wheelchair: heavy, narrow, and not properly balanced. The center of gravity was set too far back, so every turn required a much wider radius to compensate. It just wasn’t suited to my level of mobility.

Because I’m more active than that chair allowed me to be, she thought of the Wishes for Wheels Program right away. She helped put together the application and encouraged me to give it a shot and see what would happen. And well… here we are.

MC: What went through your mind when you found out you were selected as the first Wishes for Wheels recipient?

AB: Honestly, I had to pause. I didn’t react right away; I needed a moment to really process it. At first, there was almost disbelief. I had to take a moment before it truly sank in.

Once it did, two things really stood out to me. First, just how big an investment this was. And second, the doors it could open.

When I first applied, it felt like a bit of a Hail Mary, just another application sent out, not expecting much. But when I started getting emails back, suggesting I take another look or continue the conversation, that’s when I really began learning more about Motion Composites, the Wishes for Wheels program, and everything you do.

After I fully digested the news, it was just pure joy. Any help is meaningful, but this felt like a huge step forward!

MC: What was the process like to customize your new HELIO C2 both for your clinical needs, and your personality with the burgundy color and colored casters?

AB: The process was very straightforward for me, mostly because my occupational therapist guided me through every step. I did have to go into the clinic, where I was measured very precisely, everything from my legs and shins to my arms and seating angles. Every lever, length, and position was carefully adjusted to make sure the chair would fit me properly.

Once all the measurements and tolerances were set, the customization part began. That’s when we went through the options, checked all the boxes, and selected the colors. I watched videos and looked through brochures showing different color combinations. Some of the brighter options really stood out, like Cobalt Blue and Acid Green, but I’ve always gravitated toward more muted tones.

Burgundy felt like the right choice. It works well as an accent and pairs nicely with black. Normally, appearance isn’t something I focus on much, but when you’re given the option to personalize your chair, why not have a bit of fun with it? I also got the colored Ultracasters from Newton to match my chair.

MC: Is there a specific feature that you really love or that’s made the biggest difference for you?

AB: Yes, without a doubt, the overall design and the center of gravity. Customizing it makes a significant mechanical difference. It allows me to turn almost on the spot, which means I need far less space to maneuver. Getting through doors and navigating tight areas is so much easier now. That’s probably my favorite feature overall.

If I’m being a bit vain about it, my second favorite would be the Simi H handrims. The rubber inlay feels good to use and provides excellent grip.

With my previous wheelchair, ramps were a real challenge. If I started rolling down, I didn’t have enough control to stop myself. With this chair, I can come down a ramp confidently, control my speed, and then propel myself forward again. The grip makes all the difference.

On top of that, the three-position brakes (Newton Grade Aid wheel locks) prevent me from rolling backward, which allows me to climb the ramp again safely.

If I had to sum it up, this wheelchair has truly unlocked the outdoors for me.

MC: Are there activities that feel easier or more accessible now than before?

AB: One of the biggest changes for me is being able to spend more time outdoors. We recently moved, and we’re lucky to have a park and a river nearby. With this chair, I can take my dog (Moxxie) out for walks, something that wasn’t possible for me before.

In the warmer months, we go on daily walks by the river, and that’s been huge for my quality of life. Having access to green spaces and being able to get outside regularly makes a real difference, both physically and mentally.

Overall, the chair has made it much easier for me to enjoy my surroundings and stay active in ways that just didn’t feel realistic before.

MC: Can you describe the moment you received your new wheelchair?

AB: I was expecting it to be delivered, so I was waiting for it, and my little dog (Moxxie) let me know someone was on the way. When my occupational therapist and the Motion Composites representative brought it in, they began assembling it right away.

The first thing I felt was excitement, it reminded me of the moment my wife and I assemble new gaming computers. You open the box, peel off the protective plastic, press the button for the first time, and everything lights up and works perfectly. That’s the kind of “wow” moment I had with this chair.

As they adjusted every little thing, the handles, the brakes, every setting to fit me perfectly, I could see the chair take shape. When I finally transferred into it, I was blown away by how light and well-balanced it was. Even leaning slightly forward changed the way the chair responded. It made me realize how much of an upgrade this was compared to my old wheelchair.

It was a combination of awe and joy, I could immediately feel the quality, the thoughtfulness of the design, and the freedom it would give me in everyday life.

MC: Have you noticed any unexpected benefits since using your new wheelchair?

AB: Yes, definitely. A lot of it comes down to how well the chair is designed, and how light it is. I wasn’t expecting to have this level of mobility, and it’s remarkable compared to what I was used to.

Some of the unexpected benefits are small but meaningful: being able to turn on the spot, having a wider range of motion, and being able to micro-adjust my position for tasks. For example, since I’m right-hand dominant, I can easily position myself so that tasks on my right are perfectly aligned without extra effort.

It’s similar to learning to drive a new car, you might be cautious at first, checking every curb or obstacle, but within a couple of weeks it becomes intuitive. This chair has that same feeling. Even when stuck indoors in winter, it has opened up my kitchen as a workspace. I can reach things on the counter more easily, prep meals, cook, and clean up with far less effort.

Basically, it’s made all the small, everyday tasks feel smoother and more natural. The whole “to-do list” of daily activities suddenly feels manageable in a way I didn’t expect.

MC: What would you say to someone who’s thinking about applying for the Wishes for Wheels program?

AB: If it could help you, just go for it. Shoot your shot! You never know what might happen. There are ways to make it work, and it’s such a worthwhile pursuit.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t a trophy or a toy. It’s a tool, your vehicle for independence. As long as you respect it and use it, it can make a real difference in your life. So seriously, apply. It’s absolutely worth it.

We want to thank Alex once again for the time that he took to meet with us and share his experience with the Wishes for Wheels Program and his HELIO C2. We are looking forward to seeing all the outdoor adventures that he will embark on with his new Motion Composites wheelchair!

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!