Categories: FeaturesNews

Oregon Nonprofit Magic Wheelchair Brings Super Heroes To Life

San Diego, CA. “It’s so epic!” said Supergirl Zoe when she received her “Fortress of Solitude” costume which was designed by the Oregon-based nonprofit, Magic Wheelchair. The costume was one of five “Justice League” wheelchairs which were unveiled at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 31st. Kids who were thrilled with their costumes included: Kennedy as Cyborg, Naya as Wonder Woman, Zoe as Supergirl, Kumaka as The Flash, Marshall as Batman, Emma as Aquagirl.

10-year-old Kumaka Jensen has Spina Bifida. His wheelchair was transformed into the Flash with huge blinking lightning bolts and splashing waves to show his speed.

Volunteer builders organize in their community, creating a “local build team”. A build team locates a deserving child in their area – whether via the submissions made at www.MagicWheelchair.org/apply, local children’s hospitals, or partners such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The child selects a theme/character that he/she would like. A team of artists, carpenters, engineers, and other volunteers design a costume custom-made especially for the child’s wheelchair.

Here’s a video of all of the excitement of the unveiling at Comic-Con.

Each Magic Wheelchair costs between $2000 and $4000 in materials, and requires at least 120 hours of build time. While the help of communities, donors, and volunteers is absolutely invaluable, it is the support of partners like the Stan Winston School of Character Arts, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of America, and FedEx that has given Magic Wheelchair the opportunity to help make dreams come true for children everywhere. Magic Wheelchair is a 501 c. 3 and is located in Keizer.

From Magic Wheelchair:

Ryan and Lana Weimer, the founders of Magic Wheelchair, have five children, three of whom were born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which requires the use of wheelchairs for the entirety of their lives. Each Halloween, Ryan made the biggest, “baddest” costumes he could for his sons, Keaton and Bryce, for many years. Once news of these costumes spread, Ryan began receiving requests from parents around the world asking if he would transform their kids’ wheelchairs into “magic”…and then, in 2015, Ryan and Lana decided to make that happen and started the nonprofit organization that seeks to put a smile on the face of every child in a wheelchair.

Here’s a link for more information: http://www.magicwheelchair.org/

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.