ROLL BOLDLY Happy New Year 2022
BY GEOFF BABB
I know that Fall Roll Boldly newsletter was just two short holiday months ago but I wanted to share a few things that have happened since then:
We had a white Christmas in Bend and a peaceful walk with friends along the Deschutes River.
Geoff and Yvonne Babb enjoy a White Christmas in the AdvenChair hiking wheelchair along the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon.
Elizabeth Ruiz of Scripps News Service produced a very nice follow-up video to one that she had done a year ago. I particularly like this one because it includes Patrik Nabulek and Anne Trehue as they share their experiences and visions with their AdvenChair. Thank you for telling our story Elizabeth!
Patrik Nabulek in the AdvenChair adventure wheelchair with his mother, Anne Trehue
Jule Gilfillen of Oregon Public Broadcasting told the story of the Advenchair on Oregon Field Guide. Marcia Volk of Smithrock.com provided the background on the filming of the Adventure Wheelchair at Smith Rock State Park.
The really neat backstory is that Jule and I discovered early on that her dad, Warren “Mr. Gil” Gilfillen, interviewed me for my first position with Multnomah County, Oregon, (Portland) Outdoor School 40 years ago. This job was not only the impetus for wanting to use the AdvenChair to give kids with disabilities the opportunity to fully participate in outdoor school, but it also allowed me to meet my wife of now 36 years!
Adventure Wheelchair filming for Oregon Field Guide for Oregon Public Broadcasting
I am grateful that we were able to help Robert and Nelly Kapen to knock Machu Picchu off their bucket list. Travel to Peru with this compilation by Cam Davis and blog and videos by “Team Kapen”.
Robert Kapen going along the treacherous steep path up Machu Picchu in the AdvenChair.
Team Kapen the AdvenChair adventure wheelchair in Machu Picchu
I am thankful for the financial support of Mark Meyers and his family toward an update to the AdvenChair brochure.
I am ever so grateful for the incredible work of the AdvenChair Leadership Team consisting of Jack Arnold, Dave Green, Brian Leininger, John Hunsaker, Amy Kazmier, and Brian Tandy, and office support of Lizzie Schneider.
And finally, many thanks to the Backcountry Information Center staff at Grand Canyon National Park for our permit to camp on the Bright Angel Trail for Grand AdvenChair 2 in April 2022.
Thanks to so many for so much!
Geoff Babb, AdvenChairman
Thank you for supporting our adventure!
AdvenChair.com