Brad Soden has lived through more than most people could imagine.
A former United States soldier, he served during the first Iraq war, and when his military service ended, he continued saving lives as a firefighter. His bravery and dedication to helping others had always defined him.
Brad lived in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Liz and their three children. For years, life was everything they could have hoped for—a loving family, a sense of purpose, and plenty of adventures together. But everything changed on August 15, 1999, the day that would alter their lives forever.
That day, Brad and Liz were driving with their kids in their truck when disaster struck. Liz was behind the wheel when the left front tire suddenly blew out. The truck veered off the road and crashed.
Miraculously, the couple’s three young sons escaped with only a few minor bruises. Brad’s injuries were more serious—he had a broken leg—but it was Liz who suffered the worst. Her back was broken, and she was left paralyzed from the waist down.
Liz was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. When she finally woke up, the doctors delivered the devastating news that she would never walk again. The weight of that reality crushed her. In that moment, she believed her life was over. She also assumed Brad, who was her boyfriend at the time, would eventually leave her for someone “normal.”
But Brad’s response proved the depth of his love. Instead of walking away, he dropped to one knee right there in the hospital room and proposed to her. Liz, overwhelmed with emotion, said yes. Soon after, they were married and began navigating their new reality together.
Liz’s recovery was long and grueling, but she faced it with courage and determination. Her family stood by her every step of the way, cheering her on as she learned to adapt to life in a wheelchair. Still, it wasn’t easy. Liz was strong, but the adjustment was painful, especially because she had to give up one of her greatest joys—hiking with her family.
Before the accident, hiking had been a cherished family tradition. Afterward, Liz tried to join in, but it didn’t take long to realize that her wheelchair wasn’t built for rough terrain. The paths she once loved were now impossible to travel.
On one particular day, while following a moose trail, Liz’s wheelchair couldn’t handle the uneven ground. She had to stop and stay behind on the flat road while Brad and the kids continued ahead. With tears in her eyes, she urged them to keep going, pretending she was fine. But Brad couldn’t forget the image of his wife sitting alone on the trail. It broke his heart, and that moment changed everything for him.
He made a silent promise to himself that Liz would never be left behind again.
Brad’s background as an army maintenance technician—responsible for maintaining tanks—sparked an idea. What if he could build a special kind of wheelchair, one that could handle rugged terrain? He envisioned a machine that would let Liz experience the outdoors again, side by side with her family.
Turning that idea into reality, however, was no easy task.
Brad spent endless days in the garage, tinkering, sketching, and experimenting with designs. There were moments of frustration, nights when he barely came inside, and times when he doubted it would ever work. The sound of tools and machinery became part of the household soundtrack, something both Liz and their neighbors grew used to hearing.
One of the biggest challenges Brad faced was creating a powerful yet quiet electric motor—something strong enough to handle trails and campsites, but silent enough not to disturb the peace of nature.
After countless hours of trial and error, sweat, and determination, Brad finally did it. He called Liz out to the garage, his heart pounding with excitement. There, waiting for her, was a one-of-a-kind off-road wheelchair—complete with tank-like treads.
The moment Liz saw it, she was overwhelmed. It was more than a machine; it was freedom.
Word of Brad’s invention spread quickly. His design caught the attention of the high-tech engineers at NPC Robotics, who were deeply impressed by his ingenuity and devotion. They partnered with him to refine the prototype using modern technology. The final product was everything Brad had dreamed of—quiet, fast, durable, and perfectly suited for rough terrain.
Today, Liz doesn’t have to watch her family disappear down a trail without her. In fact, it’s usually Brad and the kids struggling to keep up with her.
Brad’s incredible creation not only restored his wife’s independence but also showed the world what love, determination, and creativity can achieve. He didn’t just build a wheelchair—he gave Liz back a part of her life she thought was lost forever.
It’s a beautiful reminder that true love finds a way, even when the road ahead seems impossible.