Nothing shifts perspective quite like a sudden change in mobility, and I’m always curious about how people process those changes. So I rushed to connect with a woman sporting an ankle boot as I rolled home with Gus who pulled to make contact, too. She told me about her work for a company called Bodypoint. They craft assistive equipment for wheelchair users: seating, harnesses, and positioning systems. The manufacturing facility is co-housed with their administration hub here in Pioneer Square, Seattle. She gave us an informal tour and suggested I return.

When I arrived for my formal tour, I spotted a sign announcing my visit. Nice! Already I felt acknowledged. I met almost every staffer in the joint: designers and engineers, sales reps and managers. My guide, Jill, was passionate about the products they produce and the services they provide. Caring people. Solid products. Best of intentions. Tackling unsolved problems. Those are the headlines.

The co-founders started Bodypoint in 1991 as a spin-off from Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. They believe all wheelchair users need customization to improve the quality of their lives, extend their range of motion, and participate fully in life’s adventures, whatever they choose. “Strengthen Your Position!” resonates as a campaign slogan for me, and it’s been a successful vision statement for this company. They use the needs and demands of the end user to guide the development of future offerings.

I witnessed impressive things at Bodypoint: sleek production lines and high-tech workshops, modern testing areas and vast inventories. But I did not spot one other wheelchair user in the building. I hesitated to ask a burning question. “Is it that difficult to find qualified wheelchair users to work here?” Then my internal editor countered me: “Does it matter, given the importance of their work in the world?” Bodypoint is solely dedicated to alleviating some of the pain and frustration wheelchair users face. Bravo! What more could I want?

Me, I guess. Someone like me. Or at least a little like me. A bit of a mirror. I want to talk to a person who negotiates the world as I do. Someone with a similar lived experience, with a large knowledge base. And it seemed of the upmost importance that the knowledge be visceral not simply theoretical. So I had to ask. Not on the spot. But post tour, after I worked through what I really wanted to know and steeled myself for disappointment.

But the answer was yes, an unqualified yes. Bodypoint’s Northwest representation and two of their international owners ride wheelchairs. So that’s a start. We can all build from that first wheel in the door.

Picture a pipeline, readers, of us wheeled ones being fully present and visible in education and service industries and manufacturing and high tech. Think of the experience we bring. Imagine dedicated outreach programs that provide true paths to higher skilled jobs, with intentional and sustainable tracks for cause-oriented enterprises. For my part, I’m going to keep asking questions to help build it.