Gabriel’s Story: From Wheelchair User to Wheelchair Builder

When Gabriel Zepeda was 18 years old, his life changed in an instant. A drunk driver crashed into his truck, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Like many people adjusting to life with a disability, Gabriel faced not only physical challenges but also the question of what the future would look like.

Today, that future looks very different.

Gabriel Zepeda (right) makes an all-terrain wheelchair. He's been making wheelchairs for low-income Mexicans for 27 years.

As ARSOBO's expert craftsman, Gabriel builds RoughRider all-terrain wheelchairs that help people regain their mobility and independence. Every wheelchair is carefully customized to match the user's size, lifestyle, and individual needs because Gabriel understands firsthand how life-changing the right mobility device can be.

Gabriel Zepeda has made thousands of customized wheelchairs for children.

Trained by Ralf Hotchkiss, the inventor of the RoughRider wheelchair, Gabriel combines technical skill with personal experience. Using locally available materials such as steel tubing and mountain bike wheels, he builds wheelchairs that are durable, affordable, and easy to repair within local communities.

For Gabriel, every wheelchair is more than a product—it represents freedom, dignity, and opportunity for someone facing challenges similar to his own.

His story reflects one of ARSOBO's core beliefs: Built by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities

Every wheelchair Gabriel builds carries forward that mission, helping another person move toward a more independent future.