The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

‘Wheelchair Challenge’ shows Friendship Christian a new view of life




Friendship Christian student Alex Johnson organized a wheelchair awareness event at the school.DALLUS WHITFIELD

Friendship Christian student Alex Johnson organized a wheelchair awareness event at the school.DALLUS WHITFIELD

Alex Johnson wanted his classmates and teachers at Friendship Christian School to put themselves in his shoes, or wheels, for just one day.

Alex, a seventh grader who has a form of skeletal dysplasia, challenged a different group of students and teachers each day to complete their normal tasks in a wheelchair.  

Alex said, “I want everyone to know how hard it is to do everything from wheelchair … I hope everyone who accepts the challenge will have an eye-opening experience and tell others about it.”

The Team ALeX Challenge “Spend A Day In My Wheels” took place Monday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 6. Permobil Foundation of Lebanon provided more than 20 wheelchairs.

Alex said that it’s easy for people who walk freely to imagine how hard life can be in a wheelchair but experiencing it is something very different.

“Until you’re actually in one, you just don’t know,” he said. Alex started to use the wheelchair at age 7, so he has known life from both places.

“One of my teachers who was in the challenge last year noticed that the carpet in her room kept getting caught under her chair, so she had to move that. So, I think there’s a lot of little things you never think about,” Alex said.

Alex’s father, Nathan Johnson, is a sports athletic trainer at FCS.

“I think going through the lunch line is a big eye-opener for a lot of people. They don’t like being reached over for things,” Nathan Johnson said. “They never realized how far away things are. One girl pushed for a fountain drink and her chair started rolling back.”

Alex says he also hopes the challenge makes people think twice before using handicap parking and handicap stalls in restrooms.

“If all the other stalls are in use, that’s different,” Alex said.

Greg Armstrong is a science and Bible teacher who is participating in the wheelchair challenge. Armstrong is an ultra-marathoner and considers himself to be “in pretty good shape.”

“But some things are difficult for me,” Armstrong said with a grin.“I’ve been involved in some ministries where we’ve built ramps for people, and I’ve questioned if we needed a certain grade because it meant using more materials. I will never question that again.

“Just a slight difference in grade, whether you’re on a smooth surface not, getting through doors. Everything makes a difference.”

Leave a Reply