Wheelchair for Growing Bodies: Meet Benson From Kenya

In the heart of Nairobi, a mother named Wathiga Ndwiga Njeri tells a story of transformation, strength, and the joy of watching her son thrive. This story is not only about a wheelchair. It is about a journey from difficulty and confusion to comfort and hope. It is about how the right tools can change not just a child’s posture, but their life.

This is the story of Benson, a cheerful young boy whose smile lights up every room he enters. Ever since he was a baby, Benson has been full of life, always smiling, always playful. He enjoys watching cartoons and loves playing with other children. But behind this happiness, there was a deep challenge his family had to face early on.

Discovering the Need

When Benson was just six months old, Wathiga, his mother noticed that something was not right. He was not developing the way other children his age were. She started to suspect that her child might need a wheelchair. It was a tough realization. As any mother would, she worried about her son’s future. But even though she recognized the need early, there was no help, no one to turn to, and no resources to provide what Benson needed. The waiting and the uncertainty were painful.

“I realized my child needed a wheelchair at a very early stage in life,” Wathiga recalls. “But I was not able to get it and no one was there to help me.”

Struggles with an Inappropriate Chair

Eventually, Wathiga managed to get a locally made wheelchair. It was all she could find at the time. But it wasn’t suitable for a growing child like Benson. The chair was hard to manage. It didn’t fold, which made storage and transport difficult. The special seat was not comfortable, and Benson found it hard to sit in for long. His body was not well-supported, and this made his posture worse over time.

As a mother, Wathiga worried even more. She feared the wrong wheelchair might cause permanent harm to Benson’s posture or growth. But what could she do? This was the only option available at the time.

A New Discovery: The Cub Wheelchair

One day, Wathiga’s close friend Mercy told her about something new, a wheelchair called Cub. It sounded promising. At first, Wathiga was not sure. Would it make a difference? Would Benson be comfortable? But her doubts disappeared the moment Benson sat in it for the first time.

“I gave it a try because the first time he sat on it, his body shape was in a good position and I realized it was easy to store,” she says.

Everything changed.

The wheelchair was easy  to handle. It was designed to fit the bodies of growing children like Benson. It could be adjusted. It was comfortable. Most importantly, it helped support his body in the correct posture, something the earlier wheelchair had failed to do.

Wathiga noticed a difference immediately. Benson could now sit with his back and neck supported. He was no longer twisting to one side or bending his neck forward. Slowly, his body began to regain its balance. After just a few months of using the Cub Wheelchair, Benson’s posture improved dramatically.

The Changes in Benson

It has now been one full year since Benson started using the Cub Wheelchair and the transformation is clear to everyone.

“He is happy,” Wathiga says, “He has gained his posture because he used to bend his neck.”

Before Cub, Benson’s waist and back were always in an uncomfortable position. But now, with the help of the new and appropriate wheelchair, his body  is better aligned. His body is stronger, and he is more confident. He feels safe and secure in his seat.

Even more touching is how Cub has brought joy into their everyday life. When Benson gets tired of sitting, the wheelchair allows Wathiga to adjust it so he can tilt  a bit, and when it slides, Benson laughs with delight. That laughter is music to a mother’s ears.

“It was easy to understand and comfortable,” she says. “His waist was not in a good position but now he is ok.”

A Family Transformed

The change has not just been for Benson. It has touched the whole family. His father, for example, can now move Benson from one place to another without struggling. This was something they could not do easily before. The wheelchair has made their lives more mobile, more flexible, and more joyful.

“It has done a lot to him because his dad can move him from one place to another,” Wathiga explains.

The mobility is better, the child is happier, and the family is more at ease.

And when other people see Benson in his Cub Wheelchair, they notice too.

“They were happy and said it is the best for him,” Wathiga recalls proudly.

Making Life Easier

One of the biggest benefits Wathiga has felt personally is the relief of everyday caregiving. Before, taking care of Benson was a physically tiring job. Lifting him, sitting him down, helping him move, all of these tasks were heavy and difficult. Now, Cub has taken away a huge part of that burden.

“It has made my work easier,” she says simply, but the emotion behind those words says much more.

Caregiving is not just physical. It is emotional. It is long hours of worry, of trying your best without the right tools. When a simple solution like a properly designed wheelchair comes along, it is like receiving a gift. It allows the caregiver to be just a parent again, not just a nurse or a helper.

Looking to the Future

Wathiga is hopeful now. She believes Benson’s condition will keep improving. With continued use of his mobility device, she hopes he will one day be able to sit completely on his own, without any support.

“It is the way I saw it early,” she says. “By that time he will be able to sit on his own.”

This small statement carries so much hope and belief. It shows a mother’s trust in the process of growth.

The Importance of the Right Wheelchair

Benson’s story shows that having the appropriate wheelchair is not just about mobility, it’s about dignity, health, posture, happiness, and freedom. A wheelchair for growing bodies must be made with children in mind. It must adjust as they grow, support them where they need it most, and make life easier for their caregivers.

In many places, families like Wathiga’s don’t know that better options are available. They may be stuck using equipment that harms more than it helps. That’s why spreading awareness is so important. The appropriate wheelchair at the right time can change a child’s life.

This story is a reminder that behind every assistive device is a human story of a child trying to grow, a parent trying to cope, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow. The Cub Wheelchair brought joy, ease, and healing into Benson’s life, and into the lives of those who love him.

For any parent or caregiver facing similar struggles, Benson’s story offers hope: the right support exists. And when you find it, everything changes.

To find out more about Cub, click here.