GRIT Trailblazers -of West Michigan

06/18/2025

Many thanks to Second Wave Media for a great article!

https://www.secondwavemedia.com/southwest-michigan/features/All-terrain-wheelchair-loan-program-opens-outdoors-to-more-users.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawK_Eb5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFpOGhmM25YczFNY2R3YXVwAR7XKh9eySsPqnnggjcaZqCBH5iTXw-h3rYbIXS8-KeiCUtijPSAGH0I0Gm--w_aem_i6UwTrlYycm8KFDb3dIVOw

The GRIT wheelchair can go across all terrains standard wheelchairs can’t, and a West Michigan family who knows the constraints of conventional wheelchair use has created a program to allow the public borrow two of them.

11/16/2024

We've been busy! Donovan works out with a trainer at the YMCA twice per week. Over the last month we've met two other Y members who took interest in the chair and set up times to give one a spin.
This week was Eric, not only a great guy but a true blue Strong Man. He tested his muscles with the chair pushing up and rolling down the main ramp. Despite being mobile with a chair, he's moved a vehicle under his own strength! He's looking forward to giving the chair a run in the snow.

10/07/2024

Great time sharing the chairs and meeting folks at the Adaptive Recreation fair. Thank you Kentwood Parks and Rec for such a great event!

09/22/2024

Looking forward to being at Kentwood Park & Rec's Adaptive Recreation Expo! If you are there, stop by and say hi. If you didn't know about it come check it out on October 3rd!

https://kentwood.us/events_detail_T53_R104.php

09/18/2023

More ways these chairs have brought freedom to riders! Thanks to all the GRIT owners who were willing to share! We love the lawn mowing... Brilliant!!

09/16/2023

GRIT Trailblazers will be at the Susan Mast Foundation for ALS Pedals Fundraiser tomorrow. Come out and support the great work of the Foundation or just come try a ride in a GRIT chair! See you, hopefully, at Cannonsburg Ski Hill!

Because every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS. At the Susan Mast ALS Foundation, we help families living with ALS today.

09/16/2023

See GRIT in Action!

08/25/2023

Thank you to the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports for allowing us to share the GRIT Chairs at the Water Ski Clinic! Loved the adventurers who took them for a trial spin and were very gracious as we learned all the things to cover, including take the breaks off before you take a spin (oops)! Looking forward to having a waiting list for borrowing a chair!

08/03/2023

So excited to get these chairs moving! Yesterday, we met with the Moosejaw staff that will be managing the check-in/check-out process in partnership with us! We met them at their store at Cannonsburg Skill Hill, where they rent out bikes and have all the great Moosejaw store gear for outdoor adventures. We had two new riders come out to check out the Chairs and one took one home for a weekend of hiking and adventure. So excited to kick get these Chairs out there in use!!

06/19/2023

Wheelchairs are meant for pavement. Imagine not being able to go on a trail walk, or across your yard with your family. We have joined efforts with Lori's Voice, Inc a non-profit organization to bring a GRIT All Terrain chair to West Michigan for people with mobility disabilities to borrow.

This started in 2020 when we planned a trip to Utah and national parks but our son, Donovan, who was 14 at the time would be limited to only paved paths. We looked and looked for a program to borrow or rent a chair that would give him freedom but found none. Through our search, we discovered GRIT... an all-terrain, lever-driven, engineer-designed brilliant chair. Donovan has used nothing else since we bought it! But chairs are costly and insurance will not cover an all-terrain model. So, we are bringing two to West Michigan so others can borrow them; one sized for adults and one for children!

Through this partnership with Lori's Voice, along with the help of Grand Rapids Christian High School and Moosejaw outdoor gear store, we raised enough to get the chairs and a few extra amenities. Now, kids and adults who have barriers will be able to explore the outdoors exercise and non-pavement freedom.

Do you know anyone who loves the outdoors but has limited access? They can reserve a GRIT Trailblazers Chair at

We are so excited to offer two GRIT All Terrain Wheelchairs for loan in West Michigan! These chairs are designed to allow you freedom to get off the concrete onto trails, lawns, beaches or just to get out where your everyday chair or other equipment doesn't accommodate. The chair can be propelled by...