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Jeff Wharton's Custom Bicycle

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For those of you who know my father Jeff Wharton, you know he needs no introduction, but for those who do not, Jeff Wharton is a fun and loving husband and father of two. 

My family lived a fairly normal life until August 1st of 2010. Jeff came home from a long bike ride that evening, as he was training for a triathlon, and left home a few hours later in an ambulance  taking him to emergency care. He had suffered a severe stroke. In the following days, we were told he would never walk or function normally again and that it was a miracle he survived.  But my father would not settle for that life. He proved the doctors wrong and over 10 weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital, Jeff was able to walk himself out the hospital's front doors.

August 2019 marked nine years since this incident, and there are still obvious side effects of such a massive medical event. My father has no function of his left arm and little of his left leg. He can walk with a cane, but suffers from a loss of his left peripheral vision. These limitations do hold him back from some daily functions. Like tying his shoes or doing certain house work, and for nine years it has kept him from doing one of his favorite activities, biking. We have searched to find a bike that fits Jeff's exact needs, but no such bike exists. The only option is to make it ourselves. 

I am a senior at Pittsburg State University studying Mechanical Engineering Technology with an emphasis in Biomedical Engineering. As part of my senior year, a small group of other technology majors and I must complete a senior design project in which we design and manufacture a given project over the course of the year. And this year I wanted to give back to my father who has lost so much and been so strong. My group and I will be building my father a bike tailor made for him! This will include a custom frame, custom gearing tailored for his limitations, and assisted pedaling.

Any funds to help make this project a reality are helpful and greatly appreciated. We all thank you so much for your support!
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Donations 

  • Kim Vanfossan
    • $25
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Jamie Wharton
Organizer
Pittsburg, KS

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