Brad Soden, a combat veteran, found profound motivation in his wife’s tears as he dedicated years to designing a wheelchair tailored to her needs. Liz Soden, disabled in a vehicle accident shortly before their wedding, grappled with the constant frustration of missing family hikes and camping trips with their five children.

Determined to make a difference, Brad, speaking with Matt Lauer on TODAY, shared, “I’m motivated when you make her cry.” He vowed to bring about a change. Despite lacking a college degree or engineering background, Brad, a plumber, overcame numerous challenges to create a wheelchair featuring tank-like treads, durable enough for off-road use and powerful enough for mountainous terrain.

Reflecting on the process, Brad mentioned, “We lit a couple fires, but since we were nearby, we were able to quickly put them out.” The end result was the “Tankchair,” providing Liz the independence she longed for and becoming Brad’s full-time pursuit.

Liz, now liberated to partake in trekking and camping, expressed to Lauer, “I could go trekking and camping. When we went to the snow, I used to sit in the car. I can now accompany my kids outside and chase them around as well. I’m no longer a prisoner in the car or at home—I’m just trekking and going out.”

Although Tankchairs aren’t covered by insurance due to their classification as recreational vehicles, Brad aims to donate them to injured veterans. With a waiting list of three months and a cost ranging from $12,000 to $15,000, the chair, capable of reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour, has gained popularity among disabled warriors.