Extreme Motus Stories: Henry Evans, Inventor & Brainstem-Stroke Survivor

Meet Henry Evans

When Henry first reached out, I could tell within five minutes that he enjoyed building and designing his own adaptive equipment. He’s the kind of person who hears “we don’t make that” and thinks “well, I’ll figure it out.”

One of the trickiest parts of building the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair is that no single chair works perfectly for everyone right out of the box. Bodies are different. Disabilities are different. Frequently our customers need to modify the chair so it works for their specific situation. The requests run the full range — “If you can make the chair lower I’ll buy it,” “If you can make the chair higher I’ll buy it” — and we do our best to accommodate.

Henry’s case was a few of those at once. He wanted a front wheel that could turn. He wanted the chair more reclined. He wanted it longer. We do offer a longer version for tall riders, and I started to explain how hard the rest of the modifications would be. He cut me off:

“Just send the chair. I’ll do it myself.”

Henry took delivery in August 2022 and went straight to work. I recently caught up with him to ask what he’d changed and what he’d learned, so other Motus owners — current and prospective — can benefit from his ingenuity.

Why he chose the Motus

In Henry’s own words:

While browsing the internet one day, I was very excited to see the Extreme Motus: here was something that could finally give me a way to go on hikes with my family on the beautiful trails around our home.

I’m 6’4″, so I bought the Extreme Motus knowing I would have to modify it. The modifications were mostly made from scraps of wood or metal lying around my workshop. All of them are easily removable / unboltable; we made NO permanent modifications. When I say ‘we’, I am referring to the fact that I designed them and told my caregivers how to build them.

Henry’s combination of attitude and engineering brain has let him design and build whatever he and his caregivers need. The result: he gets the outdoor adventures he came to the chair for, and the chair stays just as it shipped — only smarter.

Q&A with Henry

Favorite adventure with the Motus so far?

“Honestly, I am just getting started and have just taken a few not-terribly-ambitious hikes with my family so far.”

What is your disability? What are some challenges you face?

“I had a brainstem stroke at age 40 and am 99% paralyzed and mute (I have a little residual movement in my head and one thumb).”

“EVERYTHING is a challenge — I am 100% dependent on other people for EVERYTHING. It’s easier to list what wasn’t compromised: my mind, my senses, my internal organs, and my INVOLUNTARY nervous system (I breathe autonomously, but can’t hold my breath or talk/blow).”

Advice for people struggling with their disability?

You have nothing to say about the cards you are dealt in life, but everything to say about how you play them.

Other equipment you’ve modified or invented?

“Many — see my website and TEDx Talks. r4h.org — click ‘R4H Devices’ for the full list.”

And here’s Henry rolling in the modified Motus: YouTube Short.

Henry’s modifications, video by video

Custom cushions

Pivoting front wheel

Extra length for tall riders

Follow Henry’s work

• Henry’s blog
• r4h.org — Robots for Humanity
• Henry on YouTube
• Direct contact: hevans1000 AT gmail.com

If you decide to purchase an Extreme Motus through Henry’s referral, he’s offered to mail you a check for $50.

Frequently asked questions

Can I modify my Extreme Motus?
Yes. Many owners do. Henry’s modifications are all bolt-on or removable — no permanent changes — which is the approach we recommend so you don’t void anything and can return the chair to stock if you need to.

Does Extreme Motus offer a longer version for tall riders?
Yes — we make a longer-frame variant for taller users. Reach out before ordering and we’ll size it right. Henry chose to modify the standard frame himself, but you don’t have to.

What’s the warranty implication of modifying the chair?
Bolt-on, reversible modifications generally don’t void the warranty. Permanent changes (welding, drilling structural members) can — when in doubt, contact us first.

Will Extreme Motus help me design a custom modification?
Sometimes, yes. We’ve helped customers spec out everything from custom seat cushions to mounts for power-assist motors. Email us with what you’re trying to solve and we’ll work with you.

Is the Motus a good fit for someone with severe disability like Henry’s?
With the right caregiver setup and customization, yes. Henry’s example shows what’s possible. The chair is designed to be pushed, so a capable attendant is essential for serious off-road use.