Three years ago, Jeremy King, a 37-year-old from Germantown, Maryland, faced a challenge that changed how he viewed fatherhood. After undergoing brain tumor surgery, he was left with physical limitations that affected his coordination and balance. Simple things many parents take for granted—like carrying a baby or going for a walk together—suddenly seemed out of reach. But when Jeremy and his wife, Chelsie, 32, found out in June 2020 that they were expecting their first child, they refused to give up. Instead, they began searching for a way to make parenthood safe, inclusive, and joyful. ❤️
However, they quickly discovered that resources for parents with disabilities were almost nonexistent. Determined to find a creative solution, Chelsie, a drama teacher at Bullis School, turned to her colleague Matt Zigler, who taught a hands-on course called Making for Social Good. The class focused on solving real-world problems through innovation and empathy—a perfect opportunity to turn Jeremy’s challenge into an inspiring classroom project.
When Zigler shared the story with his students, the response was immediate. The young innovators embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and compassion, treating it not as a simple assignment but as a mission to make a real difference. Their first step was research: interviewing the Kings, consulting accessibility experts, and even speaking with local specialists who install infant car seats to understand every detail of the problem.
Seventeen-year-old Ibenka Espinoza, one of the students, shared that this phase was crucial. “We wanted to do more than just build something that worked—we wanted to build something meaningful,” she said. The team analyzed how Jeremy used his wheelchair, how baby strollers attach and move, and how safety could be guaranteed in every possible scenario.
After weeks of brainstorming and sketches, the class began creating 3D-modeled designs. They eventually narrowed their ideas to two standout prototypes. One group designed the WheeStroll Stroller Attachment, a clever system that allowed an infant car seat to connect directly to Jeremy’s wheelchair. The second group developed the WheeStroll Stroller Connector, which let an entire stroller securely attach to his chair—so Jeremy could take his son for walks even as the child grew older.
Using 3D-printed parts, hardware from Home Depot, and countless hours of testing (including stability trials using cinder blocks to simulate weight), the students refined their prototypes with care and precision. Every bolt, every measurement, was checked and rechecked. Throughout the process, Jeremy worked closely with the students, providing feedback on comfort, maneuverability, and safety.
When the project was completed in March 2021, just weeks before the arrival of baby Phoenix, Jeremy was finally able to do what he had once only dreamed of—take his son for a walk. The moment was powerful and deeply emotional. “It was overwhelming,” Jeremy shared. “To be able to do something so ordinary, yet so extraordinary for me—it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.” 🥹👶
But the impact didn’t stop there. The students, guided by Zigler, decided to make their designs publicly available online, ensuring that any parent with mobility challenges could replicate the invention at an affordable cost. They published detailed instructions and material lists, transforming a personal solution into a global resource for accessibility.
Chelsie was moved by how something born from her family’s need had become a lesson in empathy, innovation, and community. “It’s amazing to see my husband’s challenge inspire something that can help others,” she said. “What started as a small idea turned into something much bigger—a legacy of kindness and creativity.”
Today, the WheeStroll Project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between education and real life. It’s a reminder that compassion can drive invention, and that even high school students can create meaningful change. 🌍💫
Thanks to a group of determined teens, a loving couple, and a powerful idea, a father who once thought he’d never walk beside his child can now roll proudly next to him—proof that sometimes, the simplest dreams can inspire the most extraordinary innovations. ❤️🦽👨👦
