Born with a genetic condition, 2-year-old Cillian Jackson was unable to move around independently. His parents could not afford the $20,000 motorized wheelchair he needed, and their insurance refused to cover it.
Cillian’s life changed when the robotics students at his father’s former Minnesota high school took it upon themselves to build him a custom set of wheels at an affordable price.
The multi-award winning Rogue Robotics team at Farmington High School modified a Power Wheels toy car into a motorized wheelchair suitable for Cillian. The improvised wheelchair is equipped with a joystick, safety bumpers, and a harness.
“I think we won here more than we do in our competitions,” one of the team members said.
“Instead of completing a task, we’re helping change someone’s life,” another one added.