~1.jpg&newwidth=80 "Jeanine Clancy")
Written by Jeanine Clancy, MEd, BSN, RN
In 1990, Karen Deming was an average 28-year-old woman. She had just married the year before, and her career in marketing was taking off. She and her husband, Mike, were residing in beautiful Pensacola, Florida, and enjoyed spending their free time at the beach.
The course of Karen’s life would change forever on July 4th, however, as she was involved in a vehicle accident that damaged her spinal cord and left her paralyzed from the neck down. Adding to the turmoil and despair of early recovery was the simple fact that, due to this accident, her favorite pastime of being on the beach was suddenly out of reach.
Not a pair to be deterred so easily, Karen and Mike attempted to reunite Karen with the setting she loved. After carrying his wife out to a beach chair by the water proved too strenuous, Mike had the good fortune of seeing an ad for a PVC beach wheelchair. As a professional engineer, he was immediately interested in improving the design with a wheelchair of his own making. When Mike told Karen about his plan, her inner marketer came out as she responded, “well, if you can build it, I can sell it!”
From this single conversation, their company, Deming Designs, was born. Now over 30 years later, Deming Designs’ DeBug brand of beach wheelchairs and accessibility devices is making the sun and surf accessible for people worldwide.
A 2021 study investigating wheelchair users and leisure travel found that the participation rate of people with disabilities (PWDS) in tourism activities is low. This finding is primarily due to accessibility factors, as there seems to be a big gap in the travel and accommodation sectors with regard to these issues. Interestingly, a key finding was that many wheelchair users stated that their daily-use wheelchairs were simply not accessible for the beach, sand, or water.
Of course, the joys of travel and leisure can be extremely important to health and well-being. In the case of Karen Deming, this impasse became part of her central mission. The problem is that a traditional wheelchair tends to sink or get stuck in the sand. This is where the idea of an “all-terrain” wheelchair comes into play.
Unlike traditional mobility devices, “all-terrain” devices are typically equipped with oversized, balloon-style wheels similar in appearance to a beach innertube. This style of wheel can provide more stability and maneuverability by using a wider surface area and lighter construction.
It is worth noting that an all-terrain wheelchair is best for specific applications. It would not be a replacement for a conventional wheelchair in all situations; instead, the idea is that a specialized wheelchair would fill in the gaps when traditional mobility aids are impractical or unusable.
Enjoying a long walk on the beach is not just for people seeking their soul mate in a personal ad! In addition to being a relaxing, meditative experience, going for a walk in the sand actually has physical health benefits. Studies have shown that walking on softer surfaces, like sand and grass, can actually help prevent degenerative conditions like spinal arthritis from progressing. This is due to a reduction in overall impact compared to walking on harder surfaces like pavement or indoor flooring.
Of course, not everyone is able to walk through sand or soft grass unassisted. For users who would typically employ a walker or rollator for added balance and support, these softer terrains have historically posed difficulty. This is where the assistance of an all-terrain walker can be beneficial.
By applying the technology designed and popularized by Deming Designs to upright walkers, users who still have some lower limb mobility are able to benefit from the balloon-style wheels that allow all-terrain travel. An all-terrain walker will typically have all the features that users typically associate with a standard folding walker: cable brakes, a narrow frame to maneuver through doors and tight spaces, as well as a sturdy aluminum frame.
 | DeBug Beach Wheelchair - ADA Compliant View Product |
Many studies in the past decade indicate that sedentary wheelchair users tend to exhibit poor cardiometabolic risk profiles (PCMRP) because of a lack of physical activity. In addition, a PCMRP limits patients' overall quality of life, typically stemming from low self-esteem, depression, and social isolation. However, encouraging physical activity is a sure way to improve these factors.
In the same way that many people prefer going for a run in nature over jogging on a treadmill, being able to exercise in an outdoor environment can be a preference for wheelchair users. The problem is that outdoor exercise can come with mixed terrains to overcome. While conventional wheelchairs might be suitable for some types of surfaces, an all-terrain model is necessary for sand, snow, or even gravel.
Group outings, such as a day on the beach, have never been easier for people with mobility impairments than with access to a DeBug Beach Wheelchair. With a rugged stainless steel frame design and ample options for customization, wheelchair users can be sure to stay active and be included in group activities, regardless of the terrain.
 | Aquatic Pool Wheelchair | ADA Compliant View Product |
While many people simply enjoy soaking up the sights and sounds of a relaxing day on the beach, some might prefer to do some literal soaking in the water! For wheelchair users, this type of activity requires some extra consideration. Plainly speaking: most daily-use wheelchairs are not suitable for being submerged in water. Depending on the materials used in the construction of the specific wheelchair, things like rust and corrosion or damage to electrical parts can cause irreparable damage to the device.
Even DeBug’s flagship all-terrain wheelchair is not a perfect fit for taking a dip in the pool. The balloon-style wheels designed for traversing sand are buoyant, making proper use in a pool impractical at best. So for the water lovers out there, Deming Designs came up with another solution: the ADA-compliant Aquatic Pool Wheelchair. The stainless steel frame, rust-proof axle and fasteners, and mold-resistant backing and seat material make this chair waterproof even in salt water!
There are few comparable activities for low-impact aerobic exercise to moving through water. In the same way that walking through sand reduces impact, the natural buoyancy of water helps us to feel almost weightless during exercises. This can be a major benefit not only from a physical fitness perspective but also because spending time in the pool is a fun and healthy social activity.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Baby Bug Beach and Jogging Stroller") | Baby Bug Beach and Jogging Stroller View Product |
Any parents who have attempted a beach trip with their young children can attest to the difficulties of using a conventional stroller. Much like traditional wheelchairs and walkers, strollers tend to have narrow wheels that can get easily stuck in the sand. Add a crying baby to the situation, and a nice day at the beach can become an ordeal.
An All-Terrain stroller from DeBug is a quick and easy solution to navigating sand or snow with young children in tow. The Baby Bug all-terrain stroller features patented balloon-like wheel construction and a lightweight aluminum frame. The stroller can support kids up to 40lbs with a snug and secure 5-point harness.
 | EZ Roller Floating Beach Wheelchair | ADA compliant View Product |
For adults with limited mobility, an all-terrain wheelchair can make a jaunt on the beach accessible like never before, but what about splashing in the surf? The pool wheelchair listed above is well suited for being submerged, but is there an adaptability device that actually lets users float on the waves?
The EZ Roller Surf floating wheelchair from DeBug answers that question with a resounding: YES! This wheelchair can easily transition from the parking lot to the beach and straight into the ocean by harnessing the power of attached pontoon-style flotation devices. Like the other submersible wheelchair mentioned above, this device is designed to provide a lifetime of use-- even in wet or salty conditions. Furthermore, with the addition of a castering single front wheel, there is no lifting required to change angles while playing in the surf.
Karen and Mike Deming’s story is truly an inspiration. Karen’s love for the simple pleasures of spending time on the beach and Mike’s devotion to his wife allowed them to create products that have helped thousands of people experience the beach in a previously impossible way.
Spending time by the water is restorative from a mental a physical perspective. In addition, it can provide great exercise for more sedentary individuals and a great setting for fun social interactions that can become lasting memories.
Of course, safety and support are the most important factors when considering recreational time. Through their DeBug line of beach-ready accessibility devices, the team at Deming Designs team has helped to ensure that everyone can enjoy a long trip down the beach and a splash in the ocean.
Follow the link to view our complete line of Deming Designs Debug Products!
Jeanine has been a nurse for twenty-seven years with an extensive background in perioperative services, school/community health, quality/education, and leadership/administrative roles. Jeanine creates high-quality health content and is a mom (to 4 fabulous kids), dog mom, and avid hiker.
