Scorching Wheels launches first remote-controlled wheelchair toy

The toy was once created in collaboration with five-time Wheelchair Motocross Global Champion and Paralympic athlete Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham. Fotheringham, who was once born with spina bifida and has been a full-time wheelchair consumer for the reason that age of 8, is understood for acting elaborate methods and again flips in his wheelchair.

The toy, to be had by way of toymaker Mattel on Amazon, was once crafted to imitate Fotheringham’s custom-built wheelchair and includes a integrated motion determine made to seem like him, a distant keep an eye on, and a ramp so customers can carry out methods like he does.

Fotheringham’s wheelchair motocross occupation began with a consult with to the skate park when he was once simply 8 years previous. His brother recommended that he take a look at losing into the skate ramp on his wheelchair. After a couple of failed makes an attempt, he in any case succeeded.

“Then I deserted the whole thing else and become obsessive about the skate park,” he stated.

“What I loved about going to the skate park, and what I nonetheless revel in, is you’ll be as inventive as you wish to have,” Fotheringham added. “You are by no means in point of fact bored. In case you are bored you might be no longer progressing.”

The athlete says that he “could not even consider it” when Scorching Wheels approached him for the partnership. “For Scorching Wheels to need to do my chair was once the largest praise ever,” he stated.

He hopes that the toy is helping shift public belief of wheelchairs, appearing {that a} clinical tool may also be a laugh and adventurous. “I believe the (remote-controlled toy) is superior as it in point of fact brings a favorable, a laugh mild to one thing that differently other folks make method too critical.”

Gerry Cody, director of product design for Scorching Wheels RC and Innovation at Mattel, stated he hopes the toy will encourage kids to push previous perceived obstacles.

“We are excited for our newest collaboration with Aaron ‘Wheelz’ Fotheringham and creation of our first-ever Scorching Wheels R/C wheelchair toy, reinforcing our objective to encourage youngsters to damage obstacles and pursue their desires it doesn’t matter what private demanding situations they are going to face,” Cody stated in a commentary shared with CNN.

“We labored intently with Aaron to make sure this product was once a correct illustration of his wheelchair, and a a laugh toy to play with. We will be able to’t wait to peer all of the tales that include a first-ever, one-of-a-kind toy like this.”