Welcome to another episode of Assistive Tech Today.
What if the right piece of assistive technology could do more than provide mobility—it could help a family make memories that would otherwise never happen?
On this episode of the Assistive Tech Today Podcast, I’m joined by Ryan Grassley, Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme Motus, a company creating all-terrain mobility equipment designed to help people with mobility challenges experience the outdoors.
Ryan shares the fascinating story behind his own journey—from learning filmmaking while riding a motorcycle 13,000 miles through nine countries, to turning his passion for video and storytelling into a career. He eventually joined Extreme Motus after discovering the company's unique all-terrain wheelchair and seeing an opportunity to help tell its story.
We dive into the story behind the Extreme Motus chair and how it was originally inspired by a young girl who was paralyzed after a tragic accident and simply wanted to participate in the same outdoor adventures as the other kids in her class.
The conversation goes far beyond the chair itself. Ryan explains why accessibility in the outdoors is about much more than accessible parking and bathrooms. National parks and outdoor spaces shouldn't have to be covered in concrete to become accessible. Sometimes, the answer is finding the right mobility equipment that allows people to experience the trails while preserving the natural environment.
We also talk about:
• Why getting outdoors matters for physical and mental well-being
• How adaptive mobility can bring entire families together
• The advantages of a lightweight, manual all-terrain chair
• Why bigger and more expensive doesn't always mean better
• The challenges of insurance and funding for adaptive equipment
• Grants and other potential funding options
• The importance of trying equipment before buying it
• How storytelling and authentic video helped Extreme Motus grow with essentially no marketing budget
And then Ryan shares a story that really puts everything into perspective—a customer purchased a chair for his wife, who had ALS, and was able to take her to her favorite place on the river one last time. She passed away after using the chair only once, but her husband told Ryan he had no regrets because the chair gave them one more adventure and one more opportunity to see her smile. He later donated the chair so another family could benefit from it.
That story captures what assistive technology is really about.
It's not just the equipment. It's what the equipment makes possible.
It's the hike.
It's the family trip.
It's the fresh air.
It's the adventure.
It's the memories.
And sometimes, it's one more moment together.
• Visit (Extreme Motus): https://extrememotus.com
• Follow on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/extreme-motus/posts/?feedView=all
Chief Marketing Officer | Extreme Motus
Ryan Grassley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-grassley
Chief Business Development Officer | Extreme Motus
Kenneth Jardine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-jardine
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"The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this program belong solely to the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of any agency, company, or entity they represent."
#Accessibility #AdaptiveTechnology #WheelchairAccessibility #AdaptiveMobility #AccessibleOutdoors #DisabilityInclusion #OutdoorAccessibility #Extrem
