Authors Published Book Explaining Wheelchair Use
A new children's book helps families discuss mobility aids through the story of a real-life couple.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Special Needs
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Juan and Valeria Hernandez have published 'Why Does Daddy Use Wheels,' a children's book that reached number one in Amazon's Children's Physical Disabilities category. The book aims to help parents explain wheelchair use to young children by normalizing the experience within a family dynamic.
Why it matters
The authors created the book after finding a lack of children's literature that addresses wheelchair use in an accessible way for toddlers. This resource provides families with a tool to normalize mobility aids and explain spinal cord injuries to their children.
The book holds the number one ranking in the Amazon Children's Physical Disabilities category. It serves a US population where 300,000 individuals live with a spinal cord injury, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The players
Juan Hernandez
The co-author and subject of the book who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2021.
Valeria Hernandez
The co-author who helped create the book to explain mobility aids to her toddler.
National Institutes of Health
The federal medical research agency that tracks spinal cord injury statistics.
The details
Juan Hernandez, who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2021, and his wife Valeria wrote the book to explain his use of a wheelchair to their toddler son. By portraying their own family life, they provide a narrative that shows wheelchair use as a normal part of daily routine. The book is available in both English and Spanish to reach a wider audience of families navigating similar conversations.
Timeline
Juan Hernandez suffered a spinal cord injury in 2021.
Juan Hernandez walked at his wedding in 2023.
The couple welcomed their daughter Mila in September 2026.
The book was published in October 2026.
The Home Front
This publication addresses a documented gap in educational literature for the 300,000 Americans currently living with a spinal cord injury. It follows a trend of increasing demand for inclusive children's media that reflects diverse family life and accessibility needs.
If you are looking for ways to explain accessibility or mobility equipment to your children, consider adding this title to your home library. You can check the book's availability through standard online retailers to see if it fits your family's needs.
The takeaway
The Hernandez family created this book to bridge the gap in available literature for children growing up with parents who use mobility aids. Families can use this resource as a conversation starter to normalize accessibility equipment during daily routines at home.
Further reading
For more resources on supporting children through life changes, see our Special Needs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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