Army vet can keep up with 2 young kids with his new all-terrain transport

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A local Army veteran has a new set of wheels, thanks in part to the employees of a Preble County company.

Justin Shellhammer says he’s no superhero, but those who know him would probably disagree. Back in 2005, he was serving in the Army when his life changed forever when he stepped on a landmine.

Despite losing his leg, Justin doesn’t regret his decision to serve.

“I’d do it all over again,” he said. “We need people to stand up for our country and we need people to join the military and to be able to sign their ultimate line and be able to give their lives to our country if need be.

“I was privileged and honored to be able to do that.”

Justin spent months in military hospitals, determined to recover. And recover he did.

He became a law enforcement officer before eventually retiring. Now he says he has the hardest job he’s ever known: a stay-at-home dad.

Justin doesn’t want to miss a moment of his kids’ childhoods, which can be hard without the right set of wheels.

Ener McCabe Outdoor Mobility and Bullen Ultrasonics .

McCabe Outdoor Mobility provided Justin with an all-terrain “Zoom Chair” that will let him handle much of what Mother Nature throws in his way.

“You can go in the sand like you saw, you go in the grass and it doesn’t slow you down,” said Justin.

“Giving someone like Justin the opportunity to get back out and do things like they did before, it’s just a blessing to us to be able to do it,” said Jade Rigsby, owner of McCabe Outdoor Mobility.

This kind of equipment doesn’t come cheap, however. That’s where Bullen Ultrasonics stepped in. The employees at the machining specialist – particularly those who had served in the military themselves – donated $5,000 toward Justin’s new chair.

“Our core values are excellence, humility, integrity, and teamwork,” said Bullen President Tim Beatty. “And this group of veterans have displayed every single one of those core values by helping out somebody like Justin.”

Justin is thrilled to be able to keep up with his young kids.

“I can pass them now, and say let’s have a race,” said Justin. “And now I can smoke them.

“And yeah, Dad’s got his own Power Wheels now.”

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