PHOENIX - A Valley man has made it his mission to make life easier for those who no longer have the mobility they hope for.
Owner Brad Soden of Tank Chairs — a tank-like all-terrain wheelchair — is taking his mobile machines to a national level. And military veterans like Sherman Gillums Jr. are his target market.
“This will be one of the ways we can help restore the identity for the men and women who suffered through this but want to find a way to get back,” Gillums Jr. said.
Gillums Jr. with American Veterans said his injuries from the service have him first in line for what's now known as a Mongo Chair, something that would simply change his life.
“Anything that will stand you up, that will give you the dignity of looking somebody in the eyes like you were before you were injured means a lot, means the world,” he added.
He says, the credit behind such a machine goes to the creator, Soden who started building these in his garage.
His inspiration, his wife Liz, who was injured in an accident more than a decade ago.
“It's the cup on the second cupboard that we all take for granted that she could never reach. That first time she did it, there were tears in her eyes. It was really cool,” Soden said.
Now, he says, the business is blooming and with the help of Mark Holm and the National Marine Corp Business Network, more people can experience what his wife did.
“We're trying to raise as much money as we can so we can donate free Mongo Chairs to those veterans that are deserving,” Holm said.
The chairs cost roughly $25,000 dollars to build, but everyone involved is hoping to continue growing the company in order to serve those who were in our country's service.
If you’d like to help you can text “GIVE” to 916-520- 6824 or go to the Mongo Chairs Facebook page.