While many children his age were thinking about how to enjoy their vacation, Zac Waters decided to devote his to changing the life of someone he didn’t even know. 🥹 At just 13 years old, this young Utah resident spent more than 300 hours designing, 3D-printing, testing, and assembling a custom wheelchair for a little girl just 21 months old.
It all began with his passion for 3D printing. Zac found MakeGood, a nonprofit organization that creates assistive devices for people with disabilities, and decided to use what he knew to help. But he wasn’t satisfied with making just any wheelchair: he wanted to think specifically about the needs of the little girl who would receive it.
He added pink details, a removable cup holder and tray, as well as rear space for transporting medical equipment. He also incorporated soft, flexible straps so they would be comfortable and designed the footrest and headrest to be adjustable as she grew.
When asked why he had devoted practically his entire summer to a girl he had never met, his explanation was much simpler than all the work he had done: the project brought together two of the things he liked most, 3D printing and helping people in need.
He was 13 years old, had a 3D printer, and wanted to do something good. And he decided that 300 hours of his vacation were worthwhile if they could give a little more independence to a girl.
