Fixing the Gap in Mobility Care: How WheelCare Health Brings Repairs to the People

by Kaydence Smith, Staff Writer

Kirk Knestis is the founder of WheelCare Health. Photo contributed by Knestis.

When most people think of accessible healthcare, they picture doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital bills. But what happens when your wheelchair or mobility scooter breaks down—and there’s no easy way to fix it?

That’s the problem WheelCare Health, a new Northern Virginia nonprofit, set out to solve.

WheelCare Health brings mobile repair services directly to the people who rely most on mobility devices—seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. For Kirk Knestis, the organization’s founder, the idea started with a newspaper article and an offhand remark from his wife.

“She showed me this article about someone whose wheelchair broke and couldn’t get it fixed,” Knestis recalls. “They were essentially stuck—no transport, no help, no one to call.” His wife suggested it might be the perfect project for him in retirement.

When the time came, Knestis drew on his background in engineering, design, teaching, and consulting to navigate the world of aging services and turn that idea into reality.

By April of this year, WheelCare Health became an official nonprofit with a mission to provide accessible, affordable, on-site repair and maintenance for manual wheelchairs and basic electric mobility devices in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

Although the concept sounds simple, it fills a significant gap in the community. “There’s just no obvious place to go when a rollator’s brakes stop working or a scooter needs repair,” Knestis explains. A few retailers offer limited services, but many don’t provide on-site repairs, leaving people to rely on family members or building maintenance staff for help.

WheelCare’s model is different: a mobile workshop that hosts roll-in clinics at senior centers, community events, and other locations. The team provides free assessments and, in many cases, same-day fixes for common issues such as brake adjustments or wheel alignments.

Another innovative feature is WheelCare’s recycling program. The nonprofit accepts donations of scooters, wheelchairs, and parts, evaluating each for reuse. Usable devices are refurbished and offered at low or no cost. For example, if a refurbished wheelchair is priced at $65, a donor can cover that amount so the device is given free to someone in need. Donations of equipment, parts, or funds all make a meaningful difference—and because WheelCare Health is a registered 501(c)(3), contributions are tax-deductible.

While some have already suggested franchising the model or expanding to other regions, Knestis is keeping his focus close to home. “If I can help our neighbors, I’ll consider it a success.”

WheelCare Health may be new, but for many in the community, its impact is already rolling in. To learn more, get involved, or take advantage of WheelCare’s services, visit www.wheelcare.health/