February 2024/ Issue #8

The artwork that nature presents to us daily is beyond imagination. The only thing required for us to enjoy it is to stop, look, and listen. If we cannot do any of those, then we miss out on the natural treat...or do we?
I understand that if we lose a sense, say vision, for instance, we gain more sensitivity in other areas like hearing or smell. Likewise, if we cannot hear, we can see or smell better. These are wonderful ways the body helps us cope with a malfunctioning part.
I have seen animals with broken legs or missing a limb, sprinting through the woods. I have friends who are missing limbs and they continue through life with aplomb. I am mesmerized by how well we can adapt and move forward. A friend of mine is a volunteer with an organization that takes people with disabilities skiing. The stories of how quickly people adapt and learn how to ski are mindblowing. I guess, in a way, we are all just animals tromping through the woods of life.

<<< What does that mean?
The first question, what is Candid, can be answered by this quote straight from their website. "Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it." Earning the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid is a giant leap forward for Mobility Mountain. This seal lets donors know that we are a recognized charity.
It makes our goals, achievements, programs, and progress, clear to the public. This helps potential donors find financial information about Mobility Mountain, to help them make informed decisions when considering support for our mission. The Platinum Seal of Transparency sets us apart by providing proof that we are a legitimate organization, on a mission to do good things.
We are incredibly proud and humbled to receive the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and are committed to continuing to be transparent and accountable to our donors and the community.
Check out Mobility Mountain's Guidestar profile here.

The Inception of Mobility Mountain (part 8)
by Jeffrey W Pryor
The thought was in my head, “Am I ready?” I looked around the room, then back at the judge, and smiled, “Yes Sir, I am always ready.” I began pitching my idea for a campground designed specifically for persons with disabilities. As I spoke, I kept thinking about the word, “specifically,” and what it means. I could not seem to put enough emphasis on the idea that this campground would be solely designed for disabled adventurers. The entire campground, all of the programs, the lake, the trails, the lighting, everything.
As I continued talking, I could see some look of comprehension on the faces of the judges. Before long, my time was up and the judges moved on. I stood there looking at my posterboard and felt exhausted. I wondered if I had convinced anyone of the need to build this place, this dream, this effort to do things better. I watched the judges leave the room to decide who were the winners and who were the losers. Little did I know that soon, I would be battling it out with three other veteran entrepreneurs in front of the class, for the title.
When the day came to a close, I was wiped out. I gave it my best shot and hoped that I planted a seed somewhere. It was on the last day of the program, at the banquet held for our group of veteran entrepreneurs, that I was awarded the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award of 2023, by the Oklahoma State University Riata Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I accepted the award in my 20-dollar suit and hiking boots. I felt like I had accomplished what I came to do, now it was time to get to work. Funny thing, in 2024 I called the judge who asked me if I was ready, and I asked him if he would be interested in being a board member for Mobility Mountain. After a 15-second pause, which seemed to last for days, he said “Jeffrey, I’d be honored to.”
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