It didn’t take us long to learn that developing nations have a higher percentage of children with disabilities than North America. We would send as many pediatric wheelchairs as possible on each shipment. But when you have 15% of your shipment as pediatric wheelchairs and 40% of those showing up to receive a wheelchair are children, it’s hard to do a quality job. 

Hope Haven responded to the need for more pediatric equipment in 1999 when approached by 4 students in Dordt College’s (Iowa) senior design class who wished to design something for HHIM as a school project. The students were challenged to design a pediatric wheelchair to meet the specific needs of a disabled child living in a Third World country. We showed them 5,000 feet of ¾" aluminum tubing that had been donated by a pediatric wheelchair company. We also showed them, hundreds of new wheelchair forks, castors, wheels, hand rims and tires. What they designed was a durable frame that coupled the tube with recycled plastic. 

With ongoing modifications and additions, as a result of input from Engineers, Rehab Technicians, Therapists and families, the Hope Haven KidChair has evolved into a seating system that provides orthopedic support while also growing with the child. It meets the needs of almost any child who requires wheelchair mobility while living in a demanding Third World environment.  

Today, over 1,000 KidChairs are distributed annually in three different sizes.  It is manufactured in Ireton, IA by dedicated volunteers, and much of the industrial sewing of the seating system is done by inmates at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.  In 2008, Hope Haven expanded and now manufactures the pediatric chair in La Antigua, Guatemala. It is being built by Guatemalan employees with disabilities. All of the wheelchairs are give free to children around the world.  The chairs made is Guatemala are specifically designated to be are given to children in Guatemala, Mexico and Central America. The Wheelchairs are funded by foundations, service clubs, churches and individuals that cover the $180 sponsorship per wheelchair.

HHIM KidChair Passes Inspection and Testing

The KidChair was inspected by an independent evaluating firm, Beneficial Designs, Inc. located in Minden, NV.  The equipment "cleared all requirements" for a person up to 120 lbs.  The testing included: drop tests, static test, impact test, and fatigue tests, with every portion of the wheelchair measured and analyzed.