US teenager challenges politicians to spend a day in a wheelchair

A US teenager has challenged local leaders to go about their day in a wheelchair to understand the difficulties people with disabilities face.

Alex Johnson, a 14-year-old from Tennessee, has a rare skeletal disorder which means he uses a wheelchair. He created the 'Spend a Day in My Wheels' challenge as a way to raise awareness for people with mobility devices.

Johnson proposed 10 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives participate in the challenge - and they agreed.

State Representative Clark Boyd said the challenge was eye-opening.

"I expected it to be difficult, but I had no idea how frustrating it could be just to get around," he said last week. 

State Representative Clark Boyd, Nathan Johnson, and Alex Johnson.
State Representative Clark Boyd, Nathan Johnson, and Alex Johnson. Photo credit: Tennessee House Republican Caucus

Johnson first came up with the challenge three years ago as a way to show his classmates his perspective on the world.

"My challenge gives people a real-life perspective of the difficulties wheelchair users face on a daily basis," he said.

"My hope is that through my challenge we can make the world more accessible."

Boyd said he respects Johnson's efforts.

"Our whole community is very proud of Alex and proud of the effort he's made to create greater understanding about what it's like to live with a disability.

"He's an amazing young man who has found a way to use his disability as an ability to educate others."