Franklin Hayes/Splash! Magazine Michael Larson, 14, enjoys a day of fishing on Santa Rosa Sound thanks to a De-Bug beach wheelchair, courtesy of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. For many wheelchair users or people with difficulty walking, sandy coastlines can seem like no man's land. Images arise of traditional wheelchairs sinking in the soft sand, or crutches rendered cumbersome by the uneven surface, making a trip to the water's edge seem more fantasy than reality.

However, there is hope for those with disabilities who long to feel the warm sun and hear the soothing crash of waves. The local branch of the National Park Service (NPS), the Gulf Islands National Seashore (GINS), offers wheelchair users a unique experience: getting up close and personal with nature using a custom beach wheelchair known as the DeBug.

"We offer a free beach wheelchair to any wheelchair user or anyone with mobility challenges who wants to go fishing or enjoy the water," said Park Ranger Amanda Carrigan Grissom, who also serves as accessibility coordinator.

Designers of the transportation system say the name De-Bug was derived from their last name, Deming, and the term beach buggy. Necessity is said to be the mother of all invention, and Deming Designs, Inc., a Pensacola based company, proves the old clich true. The company created the chairs used by GINS because of personal circumstances.

"My injury was the catalyst that inspired [my husband] to build the chair," Karen Deming said. Sixteen years ago, Deming was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed. She explained that her husband, who loves fishing, didn't want to enjoy his favorite hobby without his wife. Since 1994, Michael and Karen Deming have been

building the De-Bug, and have sold units to families, parks and municipalities all over the United States.

"It's the perfect thing for going out on the beach," Dan Thomason said. "It makes life more enjoyable." Thomason has a 16-year-old son with cerebral palsy, a debilitating disease that affects motor skills and often limits mobility. The Thomason's own a home in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., and love visiting the coastline. Thomason said his family had tried a variety of other means to expose their son to the natural serenity of the ocean, but nothing could compare to the De-Bug.

The GINS currently operates two beach wheelchairs, available at the Perdido Key Park seven days a week on a first-come, firstserved basis. De-Bug chairs may be checked out from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations are not required, but due to inventory, calling ahead is highly recommended. For more information about using a De-Bug from GINS, call (850) 916-3001. For more information about Deming Design and theDe-Bug, visitwww.beachwheelchair.com