One thing all the drama we experienced years ago with Scott’s injury taught me is this: society has done a pretty good job stepping up when it comes to caring for our wounded veterans. Much of this progress has been led by Vietnam veterans and their determination to ensure that what they endured in the 1970s would never, ever be repeated. Because of that resolve, there are now countless benevolent organizations doing truly incredible work.
Over time, our path crossed with Gary and Mari Linfoot. Gary, a former 160th pilot, was injured in a helicopter crash in 2008 that resulted in a spinal cord injury and he lost of use of his legs. During his recovery journey, Gary became involved with an organization that has been working to design a wheelchair capable of meeting as many needs as possible—and the list grew long. The goal was to create something that could handle all terrain (including sand), climb vertically, allow users to meet others eye-to-eye, and function in real-world environments. It was an ambitious and daunting challenge.
Along the way, they connected with the inventor of what we have come to know as the Segway. The original concept behind the Segway stemmed from the desire to create a truly universal wheelchair. As the story goes (at least as I know it), the inventor noticed employees using the base platform in a way that later evolved into the Segway. That product ultimately went to market to help fund continued development of the more complex medical device—later becoming the iBOT.
Not long after receiving his iBOT, Gary asked Scott if he’d be interested in helping push it to its limits—taking it off-road, driving it on the beach and in deep sand, getting it muddy, testing battery life, and seeing how it performed in every environment imaginable. In many ways, Scott became part of the R&D process. (Unofficially, of course. 😄)
Through all of this, Gary and Mari recognized something bigger. They found an unmet need in our community. We've been blessed with access to many benevolent organizations. Outside of the military community, the resources become pretty limited. As often happens when someone sees a gap that desperately needs filling, an idea takes shape and gains purpose. They founded the American Mobility Project, with a mission to bring mobility to people who don’t have access to the same resources they—and we—have had since injury.
It never makes sense why bad things happen to good people. But moments like these remind me that sometimes purpose emerges from hardship, giving rise to meaningful work that helps others reclaim independence and dignity.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the honor of photographing their annual fundraiser—an evening defined by community, generosity, and like-minded people coming together to help others. It’s a night filled with powerful stories of resilience, connection, and what’s possible when people show up for one another.
This year’s American Mobility Project fundraiser is right around the corner and will be held Tuesday, February 24. I’m deeply grateful to have met Gary and Mari all those years ago and to be a small part of the work they continue to do. If you’d like to be part of their mission and support the selfless work they do, I encourage you to learn more and to be a part of this amazing community that gives back. www.americanmobilityproject.org/news
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