Rethinking Accessibility and Dependency

A group of twentysomethings backpacking their way through Europe may not sound unusual, but for Kevan Chandler and his friends, their trip in 2016 was by no means a typical backpacking adventure. Chandler, born with the rare neuromuscular condition spinal muscular atrophy, has been wheelchair bound for most of his life. Because the planned trip included several places that were not wheelchair accessible, the friends decided to rig a backpack to carry Chandler and leave the wheelchair at home. We spoke to Chandler about the journey, how it led to the creation of the nonprofit We Carry Kevan, and why he is working to change the way people think about accessibility and dependency.