Seating
Each Sunrise Medical Zippie Youngster 3 Folding Wheelchair is bespoke built from a wide range of options, allowing you to maximise your child's comfort, freedom, fun and safety. While more basic paediatric wheelchairs have limited post-supply adjustments - or require additional parts to do so, the Youngster 3 features a unique patented cross-brace that allows 2 cm of seat width adjustment, while the seat tubes allow 4 cm of seat depth adjustment - all without extra parts required. Combined with other adjustments such as to the backrest height and legrest length, this means that when your child grows, so does their lightweight wheelchair - so it will last you for several years.
To ensure your child's comfort and support, the seat is fully configurable, and features a new selection of back upholsteries including the popular EXO Pro sized-down from the adult Quickie range, as well as the Jay range of posture-supporting backrests. With a wide range of seat sizes, the Youngster 3 can provide a perfect fit, and can be supplied with comfort-focused cushions such as the Jay Zip, or more advanced pressure relieving ones if required. Should you have an existing pressure cushion, for example supplied by the NHS, that can be easily fitted to your Youngster 3.
Transport
Ideal for either pushing or self-propelling, the Youngster 3 can be built with a selection of push handles, including height adjustable and side angled one, to allow a comfortable pushing position without back strain. The easy folding mechanism and quick release wheels allow the chair to be folded up to a neat compact size with a smart folding fixation to hold it in place; the light aluminium frame then lets you easily lift it into a car for transport. The Youngster 3 is also crash-tested, allowing it to be safely used for occupied transport when tied down in a suitably adapted vehicle.
Propelling
Alternatively, your child can explore their world by self-propelling, being active and playing with friends. A choice of lightweight wheels and tyres in three sizes, as well as ergonomic handrims, helps to ensure a comfortable and efficient drive, while the unique Safari brake carefully integrated into the skirtguard panel, allows quick and easy braking without your child having to lean forward. A range of anti-tips further enhances your child's stability, ensuring the Zippie Youngster 3 is a safe wheelchair to use.
Appearance
The new frame design of the Youngster 3 gives your wheelchair a stylish and unique look - with a choice of 32 frame colours (from Mars Red to Sun Yellow) and a 32 spoke guards (including "Princess", "Happy Lions" and "Pirates") so the chair matches your child's style. You can even get unique light up front castors should you want to turn heads with the flashiest of wheelchairs.
Our Verdict
We think the Youngster 3 is an outstanding wheelchair - lightweight, funky and highly adjustable, so you won't need to replace it after a growth spurt. It's the perfect partner for everyday use, and is great for transport in a car, with innovative new lightweight options using the latest technology from the market-leading Quickie adult wheelchair range. While teenagers will be better suited to the Life F Teens that can cater to taller people, the Youngster 3 is the folding wheelchair of choice for young children.