For many parents, simple outdoor activities like taking a walk with their baby in a stroller create meaningful moments that strengthen family bonds. But for Jeremy King, a father who uses a wheelchair due to a neurological condition, such moments were difficult to enjoy. After undergoing brain surgery that affected his speech and balance, Jeremy found himself physically limited and unable to find any stroller attachment that would allow him to independently take his baby for walks. Recognizing this challenge, his wife, Chelsie King, a teacher at Bullis School, looked for a creative solution within her own school community.

Chelsie turned to a group of inventive students at Bullis School who participated in a club focused on using innovation to improve lives. She presented them with a real-world challenge: design a device that would allow a parent in a wheelchair to safely push a baby stroller. The students eagerly accepted the task, channeling their creativity and empathy into developing a functional solution. What began as a personal project for their teacher’s family quickly evolved into a groundbreaking invention with much wider applications.

Jeremy’s strong desire to be fully present in his son’s early life fueled the urgency for a solution. For him, being able to take walks with his baby was more than a convenience—it was a symbol of independence and fatherhood. Without a commercial product that met his needs, the students’ involvement became even more meaningful. Their determination to address a real problem facing someone they knew personally led to a design that could transform everyday parenting for people with similar physical limitations.

Guided by Matt Zigler, head of the school’s Innovation and Technology Lab, students in the “Making for Social Good” class collaborated on multiple prototypes. Working in teams, they tested different models and eventually combined their best features into one final product. The result was the WheeStroll, a wheelchair-compatible stroller attachment that securely connects a car seat to a wheelchair. For Jeremy, the experience of finally walking with his son using the WheeStroll was deeply emotional and empowering, restoring a treasured aspect of daily life.

The WheeStroll’s influence reached beyond the King family. The student team behind the invention received international acclaim, winning two major awards for their thoughtful and inclusive design. Their achievement stands as a powerful example of how youth-led innovation can make a lasting social impact. Through empathy, collaboration, and technical skill, these students not only supported one family’s dream but also paved the way for greater accessibility and inclusion for parents with disabilities everywhere.