March 2024/ Issue 9
Roots
Sometimes we search for a long time seeking a place to call home, a place to take ownership of, a place to put down our roots. In the quest for land to build Mobility Mountain, I have been to several states, mountains, lakes, valleys, and plains. In all the places I have been, I see one common thread, the roots are always planted deep. Like the wildflower in the image, a person can only imagine how hard it is to plant roots on a rocky surface, yet it does so with vigor.
Mobility Mountain will plant its roots where it is supposed to, whether in Georgia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, or on the moon. The search has been exhausting, but so worth the time invested. The idea that we will plant our roots in the perfect place and start Making Nature Accessible is exciting. It is almost like a Goldilocks and the Three Bears story… this porridge is too cold, this porridge is too hot, this porridge is just right. That is where we are currently, looking for the perfect porridge.
We appreciate your patience and support during these challenging times. The wonderful part about all of this searching, is that we have time to work on our programming to ensure that it is in line with our mission. It is easy to lose sight of the prize, when you are sprinting to the finish line. Maybe sometime soon we will find the perfect porridge and be able to taste a little goodness.
Adapted UTV Trail
At Mobility Mountain, we want to create an opportunity for guests to experience independence. The research into Adapted UTVs and Off-road capable adaptive equipment has led us down a myriad of rabbit holes. There are some amazing companies doing a lot of good work, and the equipment that exists runs the gamut of styles and uses. Some adaptive equipment utilizes tracks, like an Army tank or skid loader would. These are a little bigger in most cases, but can go just about anywhere, it seems. I had the experience of piloting one of these, the Eco Rover (https://www.ecoroverchairs.com/), around a field and up and down some hills. It was a remarkable mobility rig.
Another company, Outrider USA, (https://outriderusa.com/) has created the Coyote 4WD, an incredible piece of equipment. These have a low center of gravity and can tackle just about anything. The level of quality is impressive, and they are made in the USA, which is win-win in our book. The next level that we were looking at was UTVs that have been altered for wheelchair use. There are a couple of manufacturers that perform the adaptive work to stock UTVs, based on select platforms from Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, and a couple others. These are bigger and can generally hold more than two people, sometimes up to five. Some are enclosed with heat and air conditioning.
If you are wondering why we are looking at these, here is an answer. We have full intentions of offering a selection of adaptive gear, that provide access to nature. That includes off-road equipment such as these, to transport someone to a mountain peak or a scenic overlook, completely on their own. We think that might be a fun thing to experience and want to incorporate this initiative into our future plans. Thanks for reading this, and feel free to check out some adaptive off-road equipment available out there.
https://reactiveadaptations.com https://actiontrackchair.com/ https://www.advenchair.com/ https://freedomtrax.com/ https://www.gogrit.us/ https://www.terrainhopperusa.com/ https://moveunitedsport.org/sports/adaptive-equipment/hiking-equipment/
The SITREP (Situation Report)
By Jeffrey Pryor
Things have been progressing behind the scenes for a bit now. We have our nonprofit status from the IRS, and we are listed on one of the top charity websites. In our quest to build Mobility Mountain, I realized that I needed help with applying for grants. I created an ad and hoped for the best. After sifting through the typical spam, I saw one response that got my attention. I replied, sort of skeptically, and thought nothing about it. Soon, though, we were in a deep conversation about goals and dreams of Making Nature Accessible.
I pulled the trigger and brought this grant writer aboard. So far, we have been plowing through a lot of grants that we qualify for. We applied with AARP, the VA, Yamaha, Bass Pro Shop, and more to follow. The time it takes to comprehend and build a grant application is absurd, but necessary. This process will enable us to move forward acquiring land, equipment, and facilities. I am beyond excited to see the progression as we inch along in this endeavor. I have faith that when the time is right, the land will appear, sort of magically out of nowhere. Unfortunately, I seem to be competing with developers who are sucking up vasts swaths of land, to plant cookie cutter houses and summer homes for people who have no concept of conservation or nature. It is sad to see so much development in such beautiful areas. I call it encroachment. I believe the animals would say the same thing. After all, we are all just animals. Thanks for reading.
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