We Win Wednesday: Local Brothers Save Cedar City Wheelchair Cushion Company

A pair of brothers from Cedar City have stepped in to preserve a specialized cushion system that has helped many wheelchair users avoid painful and dangerous pressure injuries.

For Jarom Hlebasko, the product isn’t just helpful technology. It’s something that dramatically improved his quality of life after decades of living with paralysis.

When the company that produced the cushions announced it was shutting down, Hlebasko feared the solution he relied on might disappear.

Instead, he and his brother decided to buy the business themselves.

A Life-Changing Accident After High School

More than two decades ago, Hlebasko’s life changed in an instant.

Shortly after graduating high school, he was spending time outdoors with friends during the winter. While playing in the snow, he made one final jump before leaving.

That jump ended in tragedy.

Hidden beneath the snow was a slope that caused him to strike his head and break his neck, shattering a vertebra in his spine. The injury left him a quadriplegic, requiring the use of a wheelchair.

His younger brother, Jake Hlebasko, remembers the shock the family experienced when the accident happened.

Life at home changed overnight as the family adapted to new challenges and daily care routines.

The Painful Reality of Pressure Injuries

For many wheelchair users, pressure sores — also known as pressure ulcers — are a serious medical concern.

They occur when constant pressure reduces blood flow to parts of the body, particularly areas where bone is close to the skin.

For Hlebasko, the complications were severe.

Over the years, he required multiple surgeries to repair tissue damage caused by pressure sores. Each time the condition worsened, recovery meant spending months confined to bed while wounds healed.

The long recovery periods also meant missing out on everyday moments with family.

Discovering a Technology That Made a Difference

Eventually, Hlebasko began searching for ways to reduce the risk of pressure injuries.

His research led him to a specialized cushion system produced by Aquila Corp.

The cushions are designed to custom fit each wheelchair user and include a system that automatically shifts pressure points every minute.

This technology helps maintain healthy circulation and reduces prolonged pressure on sensitive areas.

For Hlebasko, the difference was dramatic.

After switching to the cushion system, he said he went seven years without developing another pressure sore.

Panic When the Company Announced It Was Closing

In 2024, Hlebasko tried contacting the company to replace his cushion.

At first, he received no response.

When he finally heard back, he learned the manufacturer was planning to stop producing the product entirely.

For someone who depended on the technology, the news was devastating.

Rather than give up, he asked the company an unexpected question: Would they consider selling the business?

Brothers Step In to Continue the Product

Hlebasko reached out to his brother Jake, who works as a pilot and had been exploring potential business opportunities.

After discussions with the previous owner, the brothers decided to purchase the company and continue producing the cushion systems.

They have now been operating the business for several months.

Both brothers say the decision has allowed them to help other wheelchair users facing the same challenges.

A Mission Focused on Quality of Life

The brothers say the response from customers has been encouraging.

Many wheelchair users have expressed relief that the product will continue to be available.

For Jarom Hlebasko, the effort is deeply personal.

The cushion system helped him return to spending more time with his family and participating in everyday activities that were once difficult due to repeated medical complications.

Now, the brothers hope their work will allow others living with disabilities to experience the same improvements in comfort and mobility.

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