Mike and Karen Deming making good use of the beach wheelchair they designed and built.
When his wife Karen was involved in an accident in 1990 that left her a quadriplegic, Mike was determined that she continue to enjoy all the activities that she had previously enjoyed–like going to the beach.
When you leave the smooth pavement or sidewalk, it’s amazing how even the smallest irregularities in the ground can prevent the hard narrow wheels on a regular wheelchair from rolling safely. All that soft fluffy sand at the beach is not very wheelchair friendly.
So Mike Deming decided he’d build a beach wheelchair that could handle off-road conditions. It took years, but they gradually improved their designs to the point where Deming beach wheelchairs are sold all over the world now.
Here’s a photo of one of their early models:
Karen and Mike Deming try out one of their early beach wheelchair designs.
You can learn all about their wheelchairs, which they call DeBug Wheelchairs, at their beach wheelchair web site, and on the DeBug Wheelchair Facebook Page.
Many public beaches in Florida are purchasing beach wheelchairs to have on hand. Usually the lifeguards, the beach patrol, or the concession will have custody of the wheelchairs for anyone who may need to use one. To find out if any beaches in your area have them available, call the city or county that maintains the beach and inquire. One day I hope to put together a list of beaches that offer beach wheelchairs.
Not only does Deming Designs build and sell beach wheelchairs, they also sell beach walkers and strollers. Below are some photos of a few of their products.
Barbara Bush using a Deming beach stroller.
Deming Beach Wheelchair sporting an umbrella on a brilliant white Florida panhandle beach.
Deming Designs “DeBug” beach wheelchair on Clearwater Beach.
Demonstrating a Deming beach walker.
Deming Designs beach walker in use by a happy customer.
Be sure to visit Mike and Karen’s beach wheelchair website
AND
“Like” them on Facebook at DeBug Wheelchairs.
