RehabMart donates beach wheelchair to Surf Dog Ricochet's Waves of Empowerment Program

By Kayla Zilch

​It’s one of those thick summer days with air so humid, the salty breeze feels like an embrace. Yards of wet white sand stretch out between your feet and the ocean tide, and dozens of people gather around you to watch a surfer riding in on the incoming wave. 
 
But something about this surfer is different. 
 
The water shimmers, and people begin to clap as the board makes its way through the swell, revealing the surfer has a partner riding alongside him. They glide together over the foam, and the audience cheers when the pair comes into view: a young boy, surfing on his stomach, and a furry Golden Retriever, calmly balancing on the back of the boy’s board.
 
The dog, Ricochet, helps to steer the boy into the sand, and people of every age and developmental ability watch as the rider is helped off the board. The sun beats down and you breathe in deep, taking in this experience you once thought would only take place in a daydream. 

This summer, RehabMart is delighted to partner with Ricochet and her owner, Judy, to give children and adults the opportunity to experience a day at the water alongside their families with the donation of a Hippocampe Beach and All-Terrain Wheelchair. 

Giving freedom back to kids with disabilities

Ricochet, an internationally celebrated Golden Retriever known for her ability to comfort and assist adults and children with disabilities, is frequently found at the beach or on a surfboard.
 
But for many children and adults living with limited mobility conditions, a day at the beach can be something incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to navigate. 

In the same way Ricochet gives emotional support and lift to persons with disabilities, All-Terrain Beach Wheelchairs give support to anyone who once believed that a day at the beach was something only possible in dreams. 
 
All-terrain wheelchairs were created to go where ordinary wheelchairs cannot - and to the places you want to go the most.

What is an all-terrain wheelchair?

Unlike traditional wheelchairs, all-terrain wheelchairs were specifically created to withstand and adapt to the conditions found in an outdoor environment. These wheelchairs won’t sink into soft ground, and have the ability to resist detrimental elements such as salt water, mud, and harsh rays. 
 
From off-the-beaten-path locations like woodland trails to uneven regions such as sand dunes, all-terrain wheelchairs easily pass over rugged ground without trouble, thanks to oversize balloon tires and a sturdy frame.
 
And when your day of exploration is done, simply collapse your all-terrain wheelchair into its carrying case and stow it in the back of any vehicle until next time.

 RehabMart offers a full catalog of all-terrain wheelchairs for adults and children, along with the same Hippocampe Beach and All-Terrain Wheelchair seen alongside Ricochet at the beach this summer. 

​Where can I get an all-terrain beach wheelchair?

​Want to make last summer the final one you spend as an observer? Head on over to RehabMart.com and browse our full catalog of All-Terrain Wheelchairs, available in every style and size best suited for your adventure.
 
The ocean is calling. Are you ready?