Redefining Accessibility

Kevan Chandler grew up in the foothills of North Carolina. He is the youngest of three siblings and the second to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, type 2, which is a rare neuromuscular disease.

In the summer of 2016, Kevan and his friends took a trip across Europe, leaving his wheelchair at home, his friends carried him for three weeks in a backpack.

This is his story!

"Hi, My name is Kevan Chandler. I am 35 years old and live in Fort Wayne, IN, with my beautiful wife, Katie. I was born with a disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which weakens my muscles so that I can’t walk. I usually use a wheelchair to get around, but I have also found that my best resource for accessibility is friendship.

In 2015, I asked a few dear friends to help me realize a lifelong dream to travel to Europe. They all eagerly got on board to make it happen. We started a campaign called “We Carry Kevan” to raise money for our adventure. We also adapted a kid carrier backpack so the guys could carry me where my wheelchair couldn’t go… which was most of the places we were planning to visit!

That summer, we travelled Europe for three weeks, leaving my wheelchair at home: France, to visit the home of Django Reinhardt; England, to explore the world of Kensington, and Ireland, to brave the island of Skellig Michael.

After this amazing experience, I wanted to help others redefine accessibility in their own lives like my friends and I had done. So “We Carry Kevan” became an officially incorporated non-profit organization, to provide more specialized backpacks and ongoing supportive care to families with disabilities all over the world.

I took another big trip with my friends in 2018, this time to China. We saw some unbelievable things and even walked on the Great Wall. We also visited care centres for children with disabilities and got to share backpacks and the message of hope.

Today we serve over 650 families in more than 30 countries… and we can’t wait to see where the adventure takes us next."