British Adventurer Embarks on Trip Around the World in a Wheelchair

posted on Jan 27 by Guest Author in the Disability News, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Sports category

Andy Campbell is a British adventurer who refuses to let a little thing like needing a wheelchair get in the way of his dreams. In fact, Andy is about to embark on a journey like no othe–circumnavigating the world using his arms. His journey will take two years and involve his wheelchair, a paraglider, and a kayak. The trip is a fundraiser to support a non-profit group dedicated to making outdoor adaptive equipment available to those with disabilities who could not otherwise afford it.

Eight years ago, Andy fell during a rock climbing expedition and since then has had to rely on a wheelchair. Despite the injury, Andy regularly rock climbs, skis, kayaks, paraglides, and scuba dives. But disabled athletes have more than their disabilities to keep them from pursuing outdoor sports. The average off-road wheelchair comes with a price tag of $3,000, and an adaptive climbing harness costs about $1,400.

Realizing that most people cannot afford adaptive gear, Andy is setting off on a two-year journey that will begin in his home city of London. He will travel 30,000 miles before returning home. His plan has him crossing Europe and Asia with his wheelchair, paraglider, kayak, and two assistants to help with the most difficult terrain. Then he will fly across the Pacific Ocean to North America, where he will begin the second leg of his journey from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico. That route will have him kayaking the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to reach the Gulf, and then roll his specially designed wheelchair down the Pan-American Highway.

Andy’s goal is to raise $1.54 million for his new charity, the Chutkara Initiative. Funds raised from his adventure will be used to provide adaptive gear to others that may want to follow in his path. You can follow his adventure through his website (pushingthelimits.com), or cheer him on through Facebook (facebook.com/andycampbell.13) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/andy_campbell).

Source:
gadling.com/2012/01/08/british-adventurer-plans-to-circumnavigate-the-globe-in-a-wheelc/

Image source:
pushingthelimits.com