Growing up on the Emerald Coast, my family and I lived for the outdoors — hunting, fishing, boating, camping and soaking up every bit of nature we could. Some of my most cherished memories are the adventures I shared with my dad.
Everything changed the day after Christmas in 1997. We were hit head-on by a drunk driver, and life was never the same. I suffered multiple broken bones and injuries that left me dependent on a wheelchair. My dad’s injuries caused immediate, permanent paralysis. From that moment on, we had to learn a new way to embrace the outdoor lifestyle we loved — and in doing so, we discovered we were not alone.
Nearly 30 years later, I’ve learned that losing independence is one of the most difficult challenges anyone can face. That’s why I’ve turned what was once a stumbling block into a stepping stone — to help others rediscover freedom and independence in the outdoors.
From that mission, Whole Outdoors was born. Our vision is to provide Wheelchair, Handicap, Outdoor, Lifestyle, Experiences (whole) — creating opportunities for those with mobility challenges to reconnect with nature and reclaim their independence.
At Whole Outdoors, we believe nature should be accessible to everyone — so we’ve made outdoor accessibility our nature. Visit wholeoutdoors.org.
