TV Chair Inc. started in a neonatal ward, with a firefighter, his twin sons, and a moment that changed everything. What began as a father’s response to his son’s struggle became a therapeutic innovation for people in wheelchairs.
We’re not just building therapy devices. We’re building confidence, strength, and independence. Our mission is to strengthen the legs of wheelchair bound people. Allowing them to stand, to help the caregiver during transfers and all the benefits that come from moderate exercise. Every child and adult who needs a chance to stand and claim a small victory.
I was the FF at the station when we got the call High risk pregnancy. As we rolled up on to the scene I jumped out of the truck and stuck my head in to the ambulance thinking I would be driving. There were the paramedics and my crying wife. Capt. Dunn said, “Ross we will get your car then you go to the ER and help your wife.” Soon in the neonatal ER wearing blue scrub’s. Alex came out headfirst. Ben was breech and flatline. The Dr. looked at me and said can I do c-section, I said yes. Scalpel went across my wife’s belly the blooded gushed and my knees buckled. I awoke to the Dr holding a blue coded Ben in front of my eyes. The Dr. asked me what I wanted to do with Ben. The FF motto “always error on the side of life”. I said “resuscitate him” The Dr. cautioned that he might have considerable deficits. The I said “that’s Ok Dr. I’ll take care of him” I’m still doing the fireman carry.
The year that followed, Capt. Walker gave me the book “What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child” by Glen Doman. Inspired, I worked with church volunteers to help Ben through a patterning therapy program. We worked tirelessly until he grew too strong to stay still. The moment I saw him try to stand in church, I realized something important: I could build something to support that motion.
That’s when I built the first “TV Chair.” A simple wooden design covered in outdoor carpet. Ben used it to strengthen his legs and core. I built two more for other kids at his school. One was for a strong child, the other for someone still growing in strength. Each child found their rhythm. The idea worked.
But Ben’s scoliosis progressed, and he eventually needed surgery. We kept working out on the TV Chair, and when my welder finished the new steel version, Ben was recovering and climbing right back on. He never stopped. The TV Chair gave him strength, balance, and a better quality of life.
Now, it’s not just about Ben. It’s about every person who dreams of standing. The mission is to strengthen the legs of wheelchair bound people and helping them in their daily lives. Of moving and independence. We want to get TV Chairs into homes, schools, therapy centers, into the strong hands hearts. Because when one child stands, we all rise.
We’re here to help. Reach out anytime.
