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A shopping trolley dedicated to assist children with special needs is to be launched across the Target shopping chain in America.

Image source: Facebook/Caroline'scart
Image source: Facebook/Caroline’scart

The trolley, created by Mum, Drew Ann Long, is already found in smaller shops throughout America, but Target will be the largest chain store to implement the revolutionary trolleys in the USA.  The Trolleys are already in use here in Australia, and also countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Norway.

The retail giant has been testing the carts in some stores for the past year and has announced plans to roll them out to stores across the U.S. next month.

Image source: Facebook/caroline'scart
Image source: Facebook/caroline’scart

Drew Ann, who has been working tirelessly to raise awareness of her product for the last eight years, said she is thrilled with Target’s decision and believes it will prompt even more retailers to follow suit.

“I think Target doing this is really going to raise the bar,” she said. “This decision validates the need. If you’re going to provide for the able-bodied, why would you not provide for the disabled-bodied, when you have an option?”

Caroline’s Cart was inspired by and named for Drew Ann’s daughter, Caroline, who has Rett syndrome, a nervous system disorder that causes multiple disabilities.

Image source: facebook/caroline'scart
Image source: facebook/caroline’scart

Drew Ann designed Caroline’s Cart with a special seat for her daughter and plenty of space for her groceries, after experiencing how difficult it was to maneuver Caroline’s wheelchair and a traditional shopping trolley.

Originally sketching the design for Caroline’s Cart on a napkin, Drew Ann told AL.com that it’s exciting to see how far the idea has come.

She credits thousands of supporters, who have helped promote Caroline’s Cart on social media in all corners of the globe. Daily, she receives pictures from people using the carts, and it’s not just parents of special needs children.

The carts, with a seat and harness that can hold up to 250 pounds, are also popular among caregivers for seniors.

“This is something I did because I believed in it, and it just took time,” she said. “And it has grown from a napkin to nationwide Target!”

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  • The power of moms ..well done Drew Ann, not only have you helped your daughter Caroline but you have and will continue to help many other folk.

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  • Great idea and great to see larger chains get on board to make things a bit easier for those who need one

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  • wow it is a little bit shocking that this hasn’t already been done, when you think about it

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  • Fantastic news for alot of people who really need them to make life a little easier.

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  • What a great idea! Always lovely to see ideas like this being adapted universally to help people who need it.

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  • super invention – well done clever Mum

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  • What a clever mum. It’s a brilliant idea

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  • I was really impressed the first time I saw one of these trolleys and am thrilled to see the market expand even further for them. There is a great need for these, as well as the trolleys that hook directly to wheelchairs and I hope to see them more common across Australia too.

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  • I can see a really strong need for these. Good on her.

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  • A fantastic idea that will help so many – the elderly are quite frail at times and would appreciate this sort of assistance. Good on Target for being at the forefront of this service. I guess you’d have to ask for these sort of trolleys, but further info on how to access will be helpful to many.

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  • This is going to make shopping so much easier for so many.

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  • I haven’t seen them yet but I haven’t been to Target for a few weeks. They won’t have them in Adelaide CBD as they don’t have that type of trolley. I’m noy quite sure about the upper frame being so far forward on the lower frame though.

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  • This is so awesome. Well done and congratulations. I work as a disability support worker so I certainly understand the need for this.

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  • A fantastic invention and so happy to see major retailers embracing it.

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  • What a fantastic invention and great to see that target is jumping on board.

    Reply

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