"You are the first step in trying to determine how we can provide more access to wilderness for individuals with mobility needs,” Corrigan said after they reached the campsite. The four who rode the route were Carly Pearson, Daniel Penley, Kaitlyn Lengel and Vicky Wallace. “This national park belongs to you,” Corrigan said.
“Once we make history we don’t go backward,” said Pearson, the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for Knox County and an organizer of the event. She completed the trail in a chair despite being paralyzed due to injuries in 2002 at age 27. Before that she’d been working in the forests of Oregon fighting wildfires.
“That was definitely a big blow not being able to get back out into that kind of world again,” she said.
She appreciated being able to share the park with her daughter and not having to just stick to overlooks and paved areas.
“It’s home. I grew up here. It’s like a great big wooded backyard,” she said of the national park.
“I think it’s awesome. Look, we’re under the trees, we’re sitting in the beautiful open understory with a group of friends. My daughter’s here, she’s able to enjoy this experience with me. We’re going to set up our tents. We’re going to be able to take a little nap if we want. Out here in nature away from all of the hustle and bustle of the everyday. Which is awesome,” she said.
This event was the first of many events Catalyst and its partners have planned in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year adapted to people living with disabilities. These include more GRIT Freedom Chair hikes with chairs available on a first-come first-serve basis. Catalyst will also be leading adaptive mountain bike rides while providing adaptive bikes, a kayak tour of Fontana Lake with kayaks provided for adaptive athletes, and a combination hike and boat tour. A list with dates and more information on accessible events throughout the Southeast is on Catalyst’s website.
Pearson said that people are not always able to purchase equipment like GRIT Freedom chairs, often due to medical expenses. This makes free events with the chairs even more valuable.
“We’re bridging that gap,” she said.
“No matter where you’re at with your bucket list of wanting to get outside, it’s trying to make sure that you can make that happen whatever that looks like,” she said. “It’s a matter of trying to take that first push forward, as I say, or first step forward, whatever you have the capability of doing, and get started to do something instead of looking out a window and saying ‘Oh I wish I could do that.”
Eds. note: Corrigan’s quote in the fourth paragraph should have read: "You are the first step in trying to determine how we can provide more access to wilderness for individuals with mobility needs." It has been corrected.