Hello, Winnie Griggs here. I hope all of you are having a lovely May.
A few years ago, I found myself rolling through life in a way I never expected—literally. After a series of foot surgeries, I spent several weeks where I had strict doctor’s orders not to let my foot touch the floor. During that time I made use of a wheelchair and a knee scooter. And while I was grateful for the mobility, I quickly discovered how those devices shaped not just how I moved, but how I experienced the world.
Simple things—like going outside, feeling the breeze or warm sunshine on my face—became things to be carefully organized and usually involved the help of others.
That experience stayed with me.
So when I sat down to write Luke, my upcoming July release, I found myself drawing on those memories in a very personal way. Luke Dawson, my wounded Texas Ranger hero, suffers a serious injury early in the book—three broken ribs, thanks to an ambush gone wrong. His path to recovery is slow, painful, and not something he’s thrilled about. But helping him along that road is Hattie Brooks, the heroine—his former sweetheart and now the quietly capable assistant to her uncle, the town doctor.
Hattie isn’t just administering medicine and checking his bandages. She’s taking him out into her herb garden. Letting him soak up the Texas sun. Offering fresh air and green things and the quiet rhythm of growing life as part of his healing.
And yes, she’s doing it with the help of a wheeled chair. But I couldn’t just draw on my own experience, I had to research what wheelchairs were like in the late 19th century and what their availability was. Here is a little of what I found.
A Bit of History:
I used to think of wheelchairs as a modern invention, but the truth is, humans have been building ways to move the injured and infirm for centuries.
The earliest known mobility chairs date back to ancient China and Greece. Fast-forward to the 1500s, and I learned that King Philip II of Spain used an ornate chair with footrests and wheels—though it required someone to push him. In 18th-century England, the “Bath Chair” became a common sight, named for the spa town where invalids were rolled out to take in the healing waters or sea air.
Of course, these early chairs looked more like rickshaws or high-backed baby strollers than what we know today. But their purpose was the same: to give an individual a bit of independence, to give them some form of mobility, however limited, during their convalescence—or at least provide comfort.
In 19th-century America, especially in rural towns like my fictional town of Tucker’s Gap, Texas, wheeled chairs weren’t exactly common. But they existed. A resourceful doctor or carpenter might fashion one out of wagon wheels or rocker frames. Or, as I imagine in Luke, a progressive or enterprising doctor might acquire one for their clinic to help their patients.
Interesting Facts & Trivia About Wheelchairs
- The first recorded wheelchair dates back to 6th-century China. Although rudimentary wheeled furniture existed earlier, an image from around 525 A.D. shows a device clearly designed for mobility assistance.
- Early wheelchairs were symbols of status as well as necessity. They were often custom-made, ornate, and considered a luxury—used by wealthier invalids who could afford attendants to push them.
- Self-propelling wheelchairs didn’t become common until the 20th century. Before that, most designs required a caregiver to push from behind. The first modern self-propelling model appeared in the 1930s, changing mobility and independence dramatically.
- Wheelchair racing has been part of the Paralympics since 1960. Since their introduction in the first Paralympic Games in Rome, racing wheelchairs have become marvels of speed, engineering, and athleticism.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt used a wheelchair—but the public rarely saw it. Due to stigma at the time and press cooperation, very few photos exist of the U.S. president in his wheelchair. His disability was widely known but visually hidden.
- The world’s fastest motorized wheelchair hit a jaw-dropping 61.18 mph (98.3 km/h). Inventor Jason Liversidge set the record in the UK in 2020.
- Hein Wagner, a blind adventurer, completed 1,000 km (621 miles) across South Africa in a manual wheelchair alongside adventurer Jaco van Gass. This currently holds the record for the Longest Distance Traveled in a Manual Wheelchair
- The Most Ornate Historical Wheelchair: A mid-1800s Victorian invalid carriage designed for British nobility featured velvet upholstery, brass trim, lace curtains, and a parasol. These weren’t just for comfort—they were a status symbol!
- Created by artist Tommy Hollenstein, the smallest functioning wheelchair (used for a doll as art) measures just 4.5 inches tall and includes tiny rubber wheels that actually turn.
- The oldest preserved wheelchair is an elegant wood and iron rolling chair from the 18th century. It is displayed at the Museum of the History of Medicine in Paris. It belonged to a French noblewoman and has a surprisingly modern silhouette.
- The Longest Use of a Personal Wheelchair is difficult to track officially, but many veterans from WWI and WWII used the same personally fitted wheelchairs for decades, often retrofitting them with homemade parts—a testament to both durability and limited access to medical tech in early 20th-century rural areas.
Back to my story:
Luke might be stubborn and hurting, but Hattie knows something he doesn’t yet: recovery isn’t just about the body—it’s about the spirit. And sometimes, a slow ride through a garden can work more wonders than any medicine.
Looking Ahead
Luke releases at the end of July, and I can’t wait to share more with you about these two characters who have unfinished business, unspoken feelings, and one last chance to get it right.
Until then, I’d love to know—have you ever had a season where your mobility was limited? What made you feel most yourself during that time? Or have you ever used the simple power of nature—sunlight, herbs, fresh air—to help someone you love heal?
And to check out all of the books in this great new series, go to the Amazon Series page HERE
Let’s chat. Leave a comment to entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.
Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.
I have never thought about the history of a wheelchair, it was very interesting!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I personally use time at the ocean to recharge my mind and soul. Something about the vastness of it all, and the reminder of how God controls it all- helps reset me. When my mom was still alive, we used a wheelchair to take her many places. Somedays it was a real challenge, not everyplace is handicap accessible. She enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine and listening to nature.
That sounds like a lovely way to recharge! And yes, when I was on my knee scooter for so long, it really opened my eyes to the need for handicap accessible public spaces. Even using a public restroom I sometimes needed help just to open the heavy door to enter.
The first time I saw “bath chair” in a book, I had to research it to see what it looked like.
Sounds like you’re a lot like me, you NEED to know! 🙂
I spent the summer of 1972 in a splint and then full cast on my left leg after getting kicked by my sister’s horse – no weight could be put on the leg, and the splint first was to make sure it was healing as there was a severe threat of lockjaw!
Yikes! That sounds very painful. Glad things turned out okay
i didn’t realize the history of wheelchairs went that far back in history. This is a very interesting read. Thank you for sharing it with us.
You’re quite welcome
I wish there were more stories out there that included disabilities and diseases. There are some with menral illness but not really other things. I’m talking like diabetes (type 1 *me and type 2), dementia, kidney disease (again me), vision problems (me again lol), MS, cancer ……
Not so easily done with hisorical books but contempory or even a rom com…..
I agree. But we are seeing more of them these days
It’s fascinating that Wheelchairs have such a long history. Thanks for sharing. I have had my share of being the person who has to wheel someone around. My mother ended her last couple of years in a wheelchair and one of my brother’s has to use a wheelchair. He has MS.
Bless you for being a caregiver. That’s a difficult and often unsung hero role to carry out
Hey Winnie! Interesting information on wheelchairs! My brother is a quadriplegic. He has been since he was 19. Farming accident with a 1000 lb hay bale that fell on him in 1981. Anyway, I don’t know first hand what it’s is like to be in a wheelchair, but I know what it is like to see one in it for many years. I helped him for 10 years(on the weekends) until my husband and I moved away. Although I can’t help him now, I still go see him once a week and help him with book work. Now he is bedridden. All his life he has never gotten a break. He did well being pretty independent, for over 35 years. Driving his own van. But, a quad has very limited mobility. He was always outside, now he is lucky to see out a window. All went down hill last fall with a bedsore last fall. But, he has lived longer than they said he would. They gave him 10 years. That’s what they told my parents. It’s been over 43 years. He is 63. He is the most inspiring person I know.
Can’t wait to read your book! I love this series!
Many blessings Winnie!
Thank you for sharing his story, I will add him to my prayers
Interesting facts. I was aware of so me of them. My daughter who is an amputee periodically needs a wheelchair due to issues with mobility. Right now she is trying to get the hardware to support the leg internally. So she has no leg and hence a wheelchair.
I am wishing her well and her quest. Prayers!
I spring my knee one time and was crouches for a few weeks and it was awful. My mother was in bad shape and she had to use a wheel chair for a while. Its not pleasant thing but its nice to have something to fall back one when needed.
I did try crutches at one point and just couldn’t handle it. Very grateful I was able to use a knee scooter for most of my recovery.
Such interesting facts! My daughter had to use one for a few weeks when she had surgery for her Blount’s Disease and then leg braces afterwards, but she didn’t like the wheelchair, said she felt helpless.
I can certainly relate to that helpless feeling. Glad it was only for a few weeks for her
I use a wheelchair sometimes because I can’t walk very long. Thank you for sharing this. The book sounds amazing.
Isn’t it wonderful that we have these devices to help us when we need it. God is good!
When my youngest brother was treated for Perthes as a child, he used a wheelchair.
And I’ll wedge her He was very grateful to have a helpful big sister like you to take care of him
I only had need of a wheelchair once after I had surgery and wanted to get out of the house. We went shopping and my husband pushed me in a wheelchair because I wasn’t able to walk around.
I also worked I a nursing home for several years so I understand how much it means to someone to have mobility even if it is limited.
What a nice husband you have to take you to the mall and push you around with the wheelchair. And God bless you for being a nursing home caregiver.
Interesting info about wheelchairs. I didn’t realize they were that old. I had a couple of granddaughters that had mobility issues after surgery and were required to use them for a short time.
Yes they’ve had an interesting history. And I’m glad your granddaughters only needed them for a short period of time
This is really interesting! I’ve watched old westerns that had people using wheelchairs in them, so some of this I knew. At different times, both of my parents had to use wheelchairs, though neither for very long. I actually have a “transport chair” in my shed that I’ve loaned out a few times!! You never know when someone might need one! I haven’t had a problem with mobility. I did have quite a few months with my right arm out of commission due to a bad wrist break, though. The first 8 weeks after it was broken I had an external fixator, went to splints, then five months to the day from my first surgery I had a second one that put me in a cast from my fingers to halfway between my elbow and my shoulder. Then, I was in casts for a total of I think 6 weeks before going back to splints for part of the time. We really don’t know how much we need “parts” for until we have to do without them!
Oh my that’s quite a long time to be without your arm. Bless your heart I know that must have been hard for you.
While up on our property up north in 2020 I broke my ankle in 3 places and was required to use a mobility device for about a month. I declined a wheelchair and instead used both a walker with wheels and a place to sit as well as my rolling office chair. Surprisingly, as long as I was in the house the office chair was better than the walker, but if I wanted to go outside I used the walker and just bent my knee and put it on the seat to be able to get out the door. That was I was able to tend to my herb garden without help. During that time I strengthened my hopping skills! LOL
Lol on the hopping skills. It sounds like you turned your walker into something like the knee scooter I’ve been using off and on for 5 years
My identical twin sister used a wheelchair before she went home to Jesus. It was a big help to me so I could keep her home with me.
Bless you for taking such good care of your sister. I know she must have loved you all the more for it
Interesting post about the history of the wheelchair. It is one of those things that you are so used to in this day and age that you think of how difficult it was for people who were incapacitated in those days to get around.
Glad you enjoyed the post. And yes we have it easy compared to what they did back in the day
Hi, this post very interesting, Thank you for sharing this. I have never had to use a wheel chair, only time I have been on a wheel chair are when I had my 2 children and they wheeled me out from the hospital and I have had several surgeries and they wheeled me out on a wheel chair to the vehicle. My dad was on a wheelchair for about a year before he passed, I used to go help my mom with him. My mom also had to use a wheelchair for about the last 6 months of her life and my 5 siblings and I would take turns going to help her. Wheel chairs are a very good and very helpful invention , people can go outdoors and enjoy the day. Have a great rest of the day and week. Your book sounds and looks like a great read.
Yes wheelchairs are one of those things that make life a lot easier and more pleasant for those with mobility issues. Bless you for being so helpful to your parents when they had problems with mobility
It’s a very interesting post. Thank you for sharing.
You’re quite welcome. Thank you for stopping by
Interesting info
Glad you enjoyed it
Never really thought about the history of a wheelchair for a person but it makes sense to make it as comfortable as possible for the person who’s using it. I know my Mom can’t walk anymore and has to use a Transport Chair which is a type of wheelchair sometimes.
Looking forward to reading in print so I can review it plus you’re a new author for me so I do hope I win this book
So glad the book sounded interesting to you. Thank you for stopping by
Several family members have at times had their mobility impacted either because they were on crutches or recovering from a serious surgery which weakened them, making it necessary for them to take it easy. Sitting around the house is no way to recover. It tends to make people depressed and I think it slows their recovery. Getting out in the sunshine and fresh air does wonders for the spirit and does the body good. I noticed if I could get them outside for at least a half hour a day, their attitude improved and the seemed to heal better and faster.
There is lots of evidence that sunshine and fresh air or good for you. You’re a good friend to try to help them out that way. Thanks for stopping by
Hi Winne, Yes, I have had mobility issues. Last year I had major back surgery & couldn’t go anywhere in a car for 4 months (only to doctor appointments). To get my strength back & mobility I could go outside & walk with my walker up & down our driveway. I, appreciated everything my husband & family did for me during this down time. Just, being outside & sitting in the sun was Awesome!!! I, went to therapy & now I am fully recovered & finally now have been cleared to do almost everything I did before surgery. Within in reason, as I am now 80 yrs. old.
Your new series coming out sounds like very good reading, will add these books to my TBR list. Your reader, Lois
Glad to hear you are back to your normal self! My surgery was on my foot so I wasn’t able to walk even up and down my driveway. But my knee scooter was a lifesaver, I could zip around the house and in and out of doctor offices and such
I didn’t use a wheelchair, but when I was in 10th grade, I injured my back. I wasn’t allowed to carry my backpack and my walking was suppose to be very limited. My school was not set up for that & the person who assured my mom that he would treat me as his own and take care of me getting me to my classes failed miserable. I called my mom in tears after 3 classes because the janitor had to bring me to my 2nd class & thankfully my next door neighbor carried my backpack to my 3rd class. I ran out of luck there and couldn’t even make it to the office to call home. In between was my brother’s SLD teacher’s classroom, so I stopped there to see if my brother was there. When she saw me crying(from the pain), she had me come in, my brother wasn’t there yet, but she had a phone in her class, so she called my mom for me. Then she went to the office with my mom and told them I would be staying in her until my back was better and my teachers could have the work sent to me.
What an awful experience! So sorry you had to go through that.
I’ve never had limited mobility for very long at a time, thankfully. A few sprained ankles that required some rest, and a few surgeries where I had to be careful not to move too much for a little while after, but nothing major or long lasting.
Very interesting post. I wouldn’t say my mobility was limited but I sprained my right hand/wrist when I was younger which caused major issues since I’m right-handed. My dad had to write my homework and I couldn’t tie my shoes. Thanks for the chance to win a book.