About

Our vision is to create a world where every wheelchair user feels comfortable and in control of their temperature.

The WheelAir system is the first temperature and moisture control system designed to fit any wheelchair. It disperses air evenly across the seat surface to lower temperature, remove moisture build-up, and keep skin dry and clean.

BRAND STORY

Where did the idea come from?

The very first WheelAir was brought to life in 2015 by our Managing Director, Corien Staels, as her final university project during her textiles degree. Her university tutor, who was a wheelchair user, had told Corien of the problems associated with overheating. Corien thought… why don’t I solve that?

Looking into the issue of overheating further, Corien learned that overheating in a wheelchair is not only very uncomfortable, but also potentially dangerous. She learned that people were using ice-packs and water sprays to keep cool. It seemed ridiculous to her that in this day and age, there wasn’t a technological solution.

So, she came up with the WheelAir concept. A simple idea that has already made a lot of impact. The WheelAir system is designed to remove excess heat and moisture from the backs of wheelchair users and cool their core temperature. Not only this, the team is working hard to build a stylish brand that wheelchair users can relate to. The WheelAir has been described as ‘a breath of fresh air’ in the industry. Best of all, the WheelAir is already changing lives. One user, Jay, told us when she first tried the WheelAir that it was the first time in 20 years that she had been able to sit it in the sun without overheating. A momentous moment for both Jay and us.

Where WheelAir is Made

Book a Demo

OUR FOUNDER

Behind the idea and vision

Corien Staels

WheelAir Founder and Managing Director

Corien started her journey in fashion and business but took a turn and suddenly found herself in the mobility industry. She started WheelAir while studying her Masters in Glasgow and has worked tirelessly since, winning many prizes and awards along the way.

OUR TEAM

Our expertise and experience

The team behind WheelAir have years of product design experience and a deep understanding of the issues linked to overheating and over-sweating.

Corien Staels

Managing Director

Since learning about the challenges some wheelchair users experience with overheating and over sweating, Corien has been on a mission to make overheating and over sweating a thing of the past. Nothing motivates her more than hearing about how much of a positive impact WheelAir has had on someone's life.

Niels Kerkhoff

Chief Operating Officer

With 15 years of experience in operational roles in Telecom and Logistics, Niels is developing a Quality Management System, distribution, and supply chain configuration to strengthen WheelAir’s expansion. Niels' expertise will help WheelAir progress into the exciting next phase of growth.

Kayla Andrews

Marketing Manager

Kayla has a degree in Business & Management. Her focus is to spread awareness about overheating, over sweating, and microclimate management and how WheelAir can provide an effective solution for wheelchair users.

Matthew McGuinness

Commercial Manager

Matthew is a sales manager with over 11 years experience in the medical device industry. He is dedicated to introducing innovative healthcare products to market and WheelAir's ambition to improve people's lives. Having worked with partners worldwide; Matthew will bring creative and detailed strategies to achieve WheelAir's goals.

Nienke Conijn

Clinical Coordinator

Nienke has a bachelor degree in Medicine and is currently finishing a Research Masters in Clinical Epidemiology at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. She personally experiences the every day benefits of using a WheelAir, and is excited contribute to WheelAir’s growth. With her clinical knowledge and research background she will focus on gathering more clinical data for WheelAir products and provide educational material about heat, moisture, and the benefits of WheelAir.

Marloes Kijzers

Sales Representative

Marloes has a degree in Human Kinetic Technology and 4 years of Sales experience with custom built wheelchairs. During her experience in the wheelchair industry she learned about heat and moisture issues wheelchair users experience in their daily life. She is motivated to have a positive impact on people’s lives and aligns with WheelAir’s vision to create a world where every wheelchair user feels comfortable and in control of their temperature.

Case Studies

"WheelAir made an incredible difference to her life and she is so much happier"

Rosie

Rosie is a 16-year-old from Hertfordshire, England. Her mother shared Rosie's story, from struggling with temperature regulation and skin care management due to overheating and sweat build-up, to being able to take trips to the seaside and manage her temperature with the help of a WheelAir integration in her custom seating.

Read Rosie's case study

OUR PROS

The community of WheelAir

Our PRO community is a group of like minded people whom their peers look up to. They share their invaluable ideas and achievements with us and help us make WheelAir better and better for our growing user community. Being a PRO is about spreading a positive message about everything people can do with a disability and we value their involvement in WheelAir greatly.