The feeling we get from getting back to nature and discovering all the wonders and experiences the great outdoors has to offer is indescribable. Being able the hear the rush of stream water, feel the earth beneath your feet, and see all the splendor before your eyes can be a spiritual experience that has brought quite a few people to tears. And for Trevor Hahn, he has always felt a powerful connection with the outside world — it’s something that really drives his passion. In the past, Trevor spent much of his free time outdoors, playing sports, hiking, and mountain climbing. Sadly, five years ago Trevor was diagnosed with glaucoma and lost his eyesight. This was soul-crushing, especially for someone who loved exploring the great outdoors. However, after becoming blind, Trevor began going to adaptive classes so that he could learn to do as much as he could for himself with his new condition. That’s where he met Melanie Knecht, a woman who was born with a condition called spina bifida. Because of her condition, Melanie cannot walk and could only get around using a wheelchair. That said, like Trevor, Melanie has always loved the outdoors and loves spending her weekends going on camping trips.
Melanie works hard to ensure that she stays fit and active, despite her condition. This is why she also takes adaptive classes and it was in an adaptive boxing class where she met Trevor for the first time. The two crossed paths again while taking an adaptive rock climbing class. They soon became great friends and learned that they both had a shared interest in outdoor activities. Soon both Trevor and Melanie thought up a great way they could both enjoy going on long hikes in the beautiful countryside by working together to use each other’s strengths forming a highly-effective adaptive hiking team. These days, Melanie explains that she helps Trevor by serving as his eyes, while he helps her by using his strong legs to help her get around. In other words, her eyes are his eyes and his legs are her legs.
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While strapped securely onto Trevor’s back, Melanie uses her eyes to guide her friend while Trevor uses his legs to hike beautiful Colorado trails. Melanie explains that while they are on hikes she
“describe[s] everything [she sees] and exactly how Trevor needs to move”
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Using this inspired tactic, the two have become quite the outdoor adventuring team. In fact, they are both now training for a grueling challenge known in the outdoor community as a fourteener. This entails climbing a mountain that stands over 14,000 high, an audacious goal for anyone.
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There’s no question that they both feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that they’ve found a way to surpass their physical limitations. However, they say that they both enjoy the experience because they know that they are helping one another. When they are together they must keep their focus on the things they can do as opposed to those they cannot.
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And it’s because of this experience, Trevor now says that he feel’s amazing, telling “Good Morning America” that he’s looking forward to helping his good friend experience her first walk on top of a mountain.
“It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life. Just getting on top of a mountain, a car can’t get to it, you just feel that sense of accomplishment. The best part is being able to make her smile. That gives me purpose.”
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Now, these two not only share a wonderful friendship, but are proving to be an inspiration to those with physical conditions such as theirs. Their partnership shows how determined minds can overcome obstacles with the right attitude and adaptation.
Source: Inspire More