Vipamat Wheelchairs: Making the Outdoors More Accessible

Introduction to Vipamat

The year is 1996. The French Alps, blanketed in fresh powder and wrapped in a humid embrace, provide the perfect runway for Patrice Faucogney’s snowboarding run.

Faucogney, a soldier and helicopter mechanic, has a passion for connecting with his surroundings through the adrenaline of outdoor sports - and this particular day atop his snowboard is no different. 

But what happened that day couldn't have been predicted by anyone, least of all Faucogney himself. The young man with a passion for dynamism, known for pushing himself to experience each activity to the full, was the victim of an accident that left him a paraplegic.

In the first few years following his diagnosis, Faucogney’s resourcefulness and tenacity was given space to truly shine. Refusing to be limited by the loss of his lower body functions, Faucogney and and his physiotherapist, Vincent Leroy, put their heads together. They developed what was then the first Hippocampe wheelchair - a transportable wheelchair, remodeled to give its user access to rough, water-based terrain. 

Several more years passed, and through continuous refinement, the Vipamat Beach and All-Terrain Wheelchair was born. 

Since debuting on the market in 2002, Hippocampe All Terrain Wheelchair has been promoting disability inclusion for people of all ages who call a wheelchair their primary mode of transportation.  

Headquartered in France and distributing worldwide, Vipamat’s products include the Hippocampe Beach and All-Terrain Wheelchair and the Pool Access Wheelchair - two revolutionary transportation tools created to enhance the lives of limited mobility individuals. 

Patrice Faucogney (left)

Limited Mobility and Social Inclusion

A common problem faced by people living with conditions such as muscular dystrophy, paralysis, and cerebral palsy is the way most social activities aren’t structured for inclusion. Actions most of us take for granted - such as hiking, exploring off the beaten path, or spending a day at the beach are, by nature, more physically involved - and for years, this has left many people with disabilities looking on from the fringes. 

Vipamat perceived the need to increase physical freedom and foster social inclusion, and responded with its line of outdoor wheelchairs.

All-Terrain Wheelchair vs. Traditional Wheelchair 

For individuals living with limited mobility, having access to a wheelchair is the difference between remaining stationary and possessing the ability to independently move through a space. Traditional wheelchairs provide necessary transportation, but aren’t built to give users supportive access to uneven terrain or water-based settings.

Designed specifically for constant exposure to elements such as sun, water, mud, and sand, Vipamat’s all-terrain wheelchairs were created to resist and withstand even the most taxing of outdoor conditions. Balloon wheels on the Hippocampe Wheelchair prevent sinking when moving over soft surfaces such as sand, and the low gravity center of the Pool Access Chair securely allows access to pools with slopes or small steps.

In addition, both wheelchair models are built with stainless steel that is cool to the touch (even after periods of sitting beneath direct sunlight).

Unique Benefits of Vipamat’s All-Terrain Wheelchairs

Below are some distinctive features of both the Beach and All-Terrain Chair and the Pool Access Wheelchair.

Hippocampe Beach & All-Terrain Wheelchair

Hippocampe All-Terrain / Ski / Beach Wheelchair by Vipamat View Product

• Portable and lightweight - Designed for quick set-up and breakdown

• Composed of stainless steel materials - The neoprene covering stainless exterior won’t become hot to the touch in the sunlight

• No jamming due to oxidization - Product materials prevent loss of integrity while resisting rust and build-up

• Closed-cell foam - Seat is closed-cell foam to promote water resistance

• Dual functionality - Can be operated independently for greater autonomy, or by an assistive caregiver

Hippocampe Pool Access Wheelchair

Hippocampe Pool Access Wheelchair by Vipamat View Product

• Floats in water - When not holding user’s body weight, chair is buoyant and can remain in water during aquatic play

• Low seating - Keeps users stable and secure while maneuvering inclines and uneven ground 

• Rust resistant - Materials won’t disintegrate or corrode with exposure to the elements

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling up a snowy mountain or getting into a swimming pool beyond just dipping your ankles in, the Hippocampe Beach and All-Terrain Wheelchair and the Pool Access Wheelchair are your solution! These chairs provide a revolutionary way for limited mobility individuals to experience full social inclusion for what may be the very first time.

Check out RehabMart's blog, Caregiver University. Their blog provides free, educational resources for caregivers and their families.