Three years ago, Jeremy King, 37, from Germantown, Maryland, faced a new challenge while preparing for fatherhood. After brain tumor surgery, he had physical limitations that affected his balance, making it unsafe for him to carry a child. When he and his wife, Chelsie, 32, discovered they were expecting their first baby in June 2020, they realized resources for disabled parents were scarce. Seeking a solution, Chelsie, a drama teacher at Bullis School, reached out to her colleague Matt Zigler, who teaches a class called Making for Social Good.

Zigler introduced the Kings’ situation to his students as a real-world problem to solve. The students began by thoroughly understanding the challenge, interviewing the couple, and consulting local experts on infant car seat installation. Seventeen-year-old Ibenka Espinoza noted that this research phase allowed them to ask important questions and fully grasp Jeremy’s needs. The class then moved into designing, creating multiple 3D-modeled concepts before narrowing their focus to two final projects.

The students split into two groups to develop practical solutions. One team created the WheeStroll Stroller Attachment, which connects an infant car seat directly to Jeremy’s wheelchair. The other designed the WheeStroll Stroller Connector, allowing a full stroller to attach securely, so Jeremy could safely take walks with his son at any age. Using 3D-printed parts, hardware from Home Depot, and rigorous testing with cinder blocks, the students ensured both designs were safe, stable, and functional.

Jeremy was deeply touched by the students’ dedication throughout the process. They frequently sought feedback to ensure the prototypes met his specific needs. When the designs were completed in early March 2021, just before Chelsie gave birth to their son Phoenix, Jeremy finally experienced the joy of taking his baby for a walk. He described the moment as “overwhelming,” reflecting on how he never imagined being able to enjoy such a simple, yet meaningful, experience with his child.

The project extended far beyond helping the Kings. Zigler and his students made instructions for both attachments publicly available online, using affordable materials so other disabled parents could replicate the designs. Chelsie expressed her delight that a personal need had grown into a meaningful, social-impact learning project, one that leaves a lasting legacy and demonstrates the power of creativity, empathy, and accessible design.