New Shot-Put Chair Propels Student Toward State Championship Dreams

Jia Jun Wilbanks, an eighth grader at Southeastern Middle School, is redefining what it means to overcome obstacles. Born with spina bifida, he faces mobility challenges and, until recently, believed traditional sports with his classmates were out of reach.

 

Thanks to the unwavering support of coaches, teammates, family and friends though, he’s found his strength — and his passion — through seated shot-put.

 

Jia Jun’s journey into track and field started last year with a simple yet unstable homemade shot-put chair, lovingly made by his father, using PVC pipe and zip ties. It met the minimum requirements, but it was difficult to move and lacked the stability needed for real success.

 

Like that chair, his first season on the team was full of trials and learning experiences. With very few seated athletes competing in his division, everything from scheduling to equipment felt experimental.

 

“As a mom, I can always hear people in the stands noting when he is about to compete because he is coming to a starting line in a wheelchair or having a shot-put chair hauled out,” said Jia Jun’s mom, Marie. “People are very interested and usually very supportive.” 

 

Despite those first-year challenges, Jia Jun remained optimistic. A turning point came when another seated athlete let him borrow her professionally designed shot-put chair.

 

The difference was immediate and profound.

 

“He threw several feet farther than his existing record, and it was because the chair was properly designed,” Marie said. “We knew then that we needed to find a way for him to get a true shot-put chair!”

 

Whether by coincidence, perfect timing or fate, that was the moment Geralyn Yingling, Executive Assistant at Health Care Logistics® (HCL®), saw a social media post by her friend Marie with a picture of Jia Jun seated in his homemade shot-put chair.

 

“Her post sparked my interest,” Yingling said.

 

What if HCL®’s manufacturing teams could create a more reliable chair for Jia Jun? It’s the question Yingling asked President Bethany Reid, who set the project in motion. 

 

While HCL® has designed many custom projects for local organizations, most of its manufactured products end up in hospitals or pharmacies. Once those items go out the door, employees typically don’t get to see the impact they have. 

 

 

“These types of projects are different,” said Anthony Chiarappa, Vice President of Manufacturing. “We get to help people within our own community and get to see the result! Having the opportunity to help a local family be able to have their son compete in a sport he loves is a huge win.”

 

Designing the chair came with challenges, especially learning the rules and regulations of seated shot-put to meet the athletic league’s regulations.

 

 

“Our designers did an excellent job learning what was allowed for this chair,” Chiarappa said. “The last thing we wanted to do was create an item that wouldn’t be compliant for Jia Jun’s sport.”  

 

Once the chair was complete, there was just one thing left to do — present it to the Wilbanks family. Marie was overwhelmed by the sight of so many manufacturing team members — every person who worked on the project — eager to witness its handoff.

 

 

“I have known that HCL® is one of our biggest champions within the Pickaway County community,” she said, “and I know that they are leaders in their support of our disability community.  I have known for so long that HCL® has the best, most kind people.  But I never considered that this generosity would have such a direct impact on my family.”

 

When Jia Jun showed up for warm-ups with his new chair, his teammates applauded him.

 

“He felt so confident,” Marie said. “And he was beyond excited to show off for others.”  

 

With his new chair, Jia Jun has his sights set on an ambitious goal: qualifying for the state championship and breaking the state record.

 

 

“He qualified for state last year, and finished in third place, using his chair that didn’t really work,” Marie said, “so this is making him feel unstoppable. … We believe he has a tremendous chance to qualify and win this year!”  

 

Since joining the track team, Marie said Jia Jun’s confidence has soared. The once-shy middle schooler, hesitant to stand out, now has the courage to participate in extracurricular activities without hesitation.

 

“Middle school is difficult for everyone, and I think most of us remember how badly we just wanted to be like everyone else. That is what Jia Jun wants — to be just like his peers.”

 

Unfortunately, this isn't how his body works. 

 

“Before track, he was struggling in school and had low self-esteem,” she said. “He was afraid to participate in anything that would make him feel or look different from others.  He was terrified of athletics because typical athletic experiences were beyond what his body could handle.”

 

Once Jia Jun realized he could do something well, and his peers would cheer him on, he developed an almost visible sense of belonging. Since that first season, he has taken on leadership roles in his 4-H group, improved his grades and landed a role in the middle school play.

 

 “It’s like watching someone come to life,” Marie said. “He now has something that makes him feel valued, and that success has caused a true ripple effect. …  It's like watching your child find a life raft when you were stuck watching them almost drown.”  

 

Through his journey, the Wilbanks family hopes to spread awareness about seated sports. While people often assume these events are part of Special Olympics, that’s not always the case. Seated sports provide opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities who do not have intellectual disabilities.

 

“I encourage families to approach their school districts and athletics programs to ask about seated sports,” Marie said. “These opportunities exist but are underutilized.  I especially suggest that girls ask about seated sports. There are far more boys who are participating, and the field really needs female athletes!”

 

This project is an example of the potential that exists when a community comes together to support its own.

 

“Our team is a great group of people who understand the goal of HCL®: take care of the customer,” Chiarappa said. “The team knew how important this project was and took over to ensure that the final product was exactly what Jia Jun needed to compete at a high level. Some of the materials and manufacturing processes were new to us, but there was never a doubt that the HCL® manufacturing team would knock this out of the park.”

 

Yingling agreed.

 

“HCL® never disappoints,” she said. “They come through for one another, the community and even other communities each and every time.”

 

Marie said being involved in the design process, and now watching Jia Jun with his new shot-put chair, is tough to put into words.

 

 

“This team dreamed up this entire project, made magic and we are humbled by this gift. I am forever in debt to Bethany, Geralyn and every person who touched this to make it come to fruition.”  

 

And what does Jia Jun think? In true middle-school fashion, his review was a simple but solid endorsement:

"It is so great!"