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| Brian M. Watwood |
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Purpose of the Foundation
The primary objectives and purposes of the Brian M. Watwood Charitable Foundation are to create local and national programs to raise public awareness for spinal cord injury victims.The Brian M. Watwood Charitable Foundation is dedicated to Brian M. Watwood, whose struggles with his own spinal cord injury led him to create a device that now enables mobility for disabled individuals. His story is an inspiration for all.
How to Donate
The Brian M. Watwood Charitable Foundation is qualified under section 501 (c)(3) as a public charity during the advance ruling period with the Employer Identification Number: 61-1505617. According to the section 501 (c)(3) letter received from the IRS in May, 2007, “Contributions to [the foundation] are deductible under section 170 of the Code.”
To make a donation to the Brian M. Watwood Charitable Foundation, please visit our How to Donate section, with information on where to send checks and to access the Foundation's 2006 IRS Tax Form 990.
Brian's Story
Brian M. Watwood, a world-class athlete and professional skier, was hit head-on in an automotive accident while riding his bicycle. Brian was diagnosed as a C5 – C6 incomplete quadriplegic as the result of this accident and confined to a wheelchair he could not operate.
One day in rehab, Brian sat staring at the water fountain, unable to propel his chair forward to get a drink. He thought to himself, "If Archimedes could move the world with a lever, I should be able to move this wheelchair" … it was then that his idea for the Wijit® (a lever actuated driving and braking system) was born.
Brian was successful in moving his chair. Although Brian’s story is unique in the sense that his remarkable recovery resulted in his limited ability to walk, henceforth the nickname "SuperQuad" (the Superman of quadriplegics), his inspiration to help others in the disabled community began. This perseverance to help other people safely propel their wheelchairs, giving them the same feeling of freedom he felt, became the driving force behind his "chair mobile philosophy" and the mission statement of SuperQuad, the company.
So there you have it, folks. The first-ever driving and braking system (DBS™) for a manual wheelchair that actually allows users to safely steer and propel without the damaging effects normally experienced in the upper extremities.
