Colorful Wheels Made with Love And Creativity

Before getting into the details of this colorful and distinguished world, there is an important thing for you to know: never allow anyone to get in the way of your dreams, happiness, and success. You should believe in yourself in the first place. This is the message of the story you are going to be introduced to. 

We’ll take you to Ireland, particularly to the west of the country where the coastal city of Galway is located. There, we will meet Ailbhe Keane, the founder and innovative director of Izzy Wheels Company. This company is named after Isabel who is Ailbhe’s sister. These are pretty girls who always put a smile on their faces!

The special world of these little girls! 

Izzy and Ailbhe have always had a great sister-sister relationship; they spend time together playing and having fun in a world of their own full of costumes and clothes. This fun, later on, led to decorating the wheels of Izzy’s wheelchair. 

Using a wheelchair was not Izzy's own choice. She was born with hydrocephalus, meaning that she cannot move the lower part of her body from her waist down to her feet.

She does not feel this area at all, as clarified by Ailbhe to Tiny Hand. Ailbhe added, "Isabel used to and will continue to use the wheelchair for the rest of her life.” 

However, decorating Isabel’s wheels has always been a good and available option for her. Ailbhe had always supported her in the idea of decorating her wheelchair, particularly on special occasions in order to be fully neat along with the stylish wheelchair, too. 

Just like the other passionate girls, the dream of Ailbhe and Isabel did not stop at that point as they kept pursuing it as they grew up.

Ailbhe’s love for art and joyful design, as she describes it, and Izzy’s positive outlook towards her wheelchair helped in the success they reached. In fact, Izzy looks at her wheelchair as a symbol of “freedom”, according to Ailbhe. Hence, the project of Izzy Wheels was launched. 

Q: What do you say to those who think choices are limited for people with special needs? 

A: "The world of fashion has always neglected the individualistic needs of disabled persons; therefore, mega fashion companies should be more aware in terms of their designs. We see that grand brands started paying attention to disabled people’s demands.

So, we think that in the coming few years, we will see more brands that satisfy everyone's needs." 

"Izzy Wheels project is my favorite.”Ailbhe said, She makes colorful covers for the wheels of wheelchairs, where these decorations allow people using them to express their feelings and personalities.

This exactly what happened with Izzy who used to decorate the wheels of her wheelchair. This created a positive outlook towards her physical disability and made her love her wheelchair.

Today, Ailbhe works with artists and grand brands from all over the world to make designs for wheels’ covers.

Since 2017, the two sisters' company has cooperated with 80 various artists, painters, graphic designers, fashion designers and, recently, with both Barbie and Hello Kitty brands. Ailbhe said, "My sister is a source of inspiration for these brands, as well as a symbol of freedom and beauty.” 

Izzy Wheels Company is the first of its kind in this field; it is the first company to deal with famous artists and the world's leading brands.

Ailbhe said, "Our company bridges the gap between disability and fashion.” The amazing thing in this work is that they regularly receive positive feedback from people who used and installed these colorful wheels on their wheelchairs. 

Ailbhe said, "We receive daily messages expressing how our wheels’ covers changed the relationship of a crippled person with his/her wheelchair and how these decorated wheels broke the ice with other people.

This leads to conversations with strangers whom they encounter in streets and tell them how much they love these wheels.” 

Today’s number of crippled people around the world is 75 million who either need or use wheelchairs; this percentage constitutes 1% of the total world population! 

"Izzy Wheels Company makes wheelchairs suitable and appealing to crippled individuals and not just a mere practical thing. It is important to have elegant wheels on your wheelchairs that suit your clothes and show your interests.” Izzy said.

Q: What makes both of you so special?

A: "We are extremely enthusiastic about what we do and we dedicate our passion to our brand. We both like fashion and vivid colors that have become a great part of our brand. Our company is the first of its kind to work with world-renowned artists and leading brands to bridge the gap between disability and fashion." 

A year after the launch of Izzy Wheels project, the two girls became the focus of the world. They were invited to the office of Teen Vogue Magazine in New York City; what’s more, in 2018, they were chosen among the 2018 Class of FORBES 30 Under 30.

Additionally, the BBC channel produced a documentary about the story of this project. Ailbhe said, "It was in 2018 that things became perfect for us; I really hope this amazing year would return." 

Ailbhe and her sister, Izzy, are progressing with their project, totally ignoring any criticism from any source. Ailbhe said, "As a designer, you should not take things personally if people do not like your style!”