Throughout my entire life, I have had friends and family members with a variety of disabilities. It became very apparent to me at a young age that I needed to be as inclusive as possible. It could be as simple as being present for birthday parties, staying back and hanging out with those who operated at a different pace than the rest, or being present with those who weren’t able to participate in organized activities at all.
Growing up near the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, hiking and exploring the surrounding natural areas have been incredibly restorative for me. Nature is one of the most precious gifts we have been given, and there should be no shortage of people who are able to enjoy the outdoors. “The more the merrier” was a consistent mindset that I had (especially being raised in the south). Exclusion is something I have never been a fan of, and don’t tolerate well. I found the lack of equal access for those who needed accommodations or a little extra assistance unacceptable. It’s disturbingly ironic to me that the people who could benefit most from the therapeutic and healing aspects of the outdoors are often those who have the least access.
I am pleased to have recently learned about organizations which work to make the outdoors more accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families. One organization in particular that is making a huge impact on accessibility is the Lockwood Foundation, based in Pueblo West, Colorado. Lockwood is a community based organization that creates opportunities for those with limited mobility. They equip hikers who have physical disabilities with adaptive wheelchairs and companion volunteers to assist them in scaling mountain trails. Here they understand that everyone functions at a different level, and everyone should be given the opportunity to have their individual needs met. This is an amazing organization to get behind and support, as the Mass Emporium community is focused on adventure and inclusivity. In partnering with The Lockwood Foundation, a portion of all online sales will be donated to support their mission to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.
To learn more about The Lockwood Foundation, or to become a volunteer for hikes and events, please visit https://www.thelockwoodfoundation.org/.