All-Terrain Wheelchair Helps Walled Lake Elementary Student Enjoy Camp

When it came time for her son Joseph's fifth grade class to spend time at Walled Lake Consolidated School District's Outdoor Education Center (OEC), Marissa Penrod knew his experience would be limited. 

The Oakley Park Elementary student has Duchene Muscular Dystrophy and some physical limitations. 

"We knew he wouldn't be able to participate in all the activities, but I didn't want to accept that," she said. 

Penrod researched a special device called the Action Track Chair, an all-terrain wheel chair, which Joseph tried out Sept. 16 and used Sept. 18-20 as his fifth-grade class enjoyed “camp” at the OEC.
 
Oakley Park principal Kristin Rendi said the chair fits with the district’s belief in "Every Child, Every Day".

"I just felt that this chair would allow every child to have access to everything every day," she said. "It’s perfect, Joseph can do everything any other 5th grade student does at camp.”
 
The chair was donated for use this week by Bad River Outdoors, St. Charles.