It’s in the name, after all. Just Google it:
Anthro may refer to: Anthropo-, a prefix meaning human, humanoid, or human-like. Anthropology, the scientific study of humanity.
Founded by CEO Steven DuFresne and a team of professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience in the production of high-quality wheelchair seating products, Anthros can boast an origin story unlike many others—which has resulted in a product and mission unlike many others.
Every owner of an Anthros chair gets a one-on-one consultation on how to get the most out of their sit because the team wants to give the user more than just comfort. They want to change the trajectory of your health journey, ending the epidemics of sciatica, cervical kyphosis (reverse curvature of the neck), and more.
Serving the Global Wheelchair Community: At the Lake
But that’s not all. The Anthros Foundation (the company’s 501c3) is giving back to the community it was built off of with a percentage of every dollar earned going to organizations that serve the global wheelchair community. And one big way they are doing so is with the At the Lake adaptive sports events, lasting two days each, with both Wisconsin and now a Michigan edition just added this year.
Free to the public, approximately 800 people are hosted, from athletes to their loved ones and caregivers and, of course, the volunteers who make it all happen.
“I often tell people, I can’t tell who gets the most out of these days,” DuFresne said, who revealed that he thinks it’s the volunteers. VP of Sales Dave Veeneman, who has served as an “athlete buddy,” agreed: “From the parents who tell us it’s the highlight of their year, to watching the kids’ faces light up, it just gives so much more meaning to what we do during the day.”
And it all comes full circle as any monies raised above and beyond the needs/costs of these events goes towards The Anthros Foundation and purchasing new Beeline Wheelchairs to distribute to those in developing countries who lack access to basic mobility equipment they need for fundamental, daily living activities. The foundation recently raised $20,000 that allowed them to outfit 57 children in Guatemala with custom Beeline Wheelchairs.
“Poverty breeds more disability because there’s no access to the proper prenatal care needed to prevent spina bifida and cerebral palsy,” DuFresne explained. “So, the ultimate dream is for the Anthros Foundation to purchase and donate medication. I can’t prevent a spinal cord injury from happening, and I can’t stop somebody from getting into a tragic accident, but we can make a dent in stopping some of these childhood-borne diseases with early intervention. So, we have a bigger path to follow to try to make change globally than just building wheelchairs.”
Besides helping Beeline expand as a fellow grassroots endeavor, Anthros also has plans to develop their chair for the next price point down. Mid-market is their next target audience, but the mission always remains the same: not just sitting better, but living better.
