Our Story

Wheely Big Dreams started with a pretty simple question:

What if my family hadn't been able to afford the equipment I needed?

Growing up with a physical disability, I learned that accessibility often comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Between adaptive equipment, accessible transportation, and everything insurance doesn't cover, the costs add up quickly.

When I started using a wheelchair in 2014, my grandparents gifted me my first SmartDrive, a power-assist device that made it easier to get around independently. They also helped provide my wheelchair-accessible van, which gave me the freedom to move away for college and experience the life I dreamed of.

My family couldn't afford these things without their help. And looking back, I realize how much those two pieces of equipment shaped my life.

I was able to go to college, travel, build a career, and have experiences that might have looked very different without that support.

But I also knew how fortunate I was to have grandparents who could step in financially. Not everyone has that option.

And that's what got me thinking.

Why should someone's access to independence, opportunities, and everyday experiences depend on whether their family can afford it?

That question eventually became Wheely Big Dreams.

What We're Doing About It

Today, Wheely Big Dreams is a nonprofit working to reduce the financial barriers people with physical disabilities face when accessing essential resources.