Who we are

In 2022, Kent Madison’s quest for accessible campsites and outdoor adventures for his family led him to a revelation that has now come to fruition with the creation of Wheelable Wilderness.

Kent, paralyzed from a motor vehicle accident as a teenager, has spent 17 years mastering self-advocacy and navigating life as a quadriplegic. His resolve was put to the test during a family vacation in 2022, when a campsite he had booked as “Handicap Accessible” was mistakenly assigned to another family. Forced into an inaccessible site with a rock wall barrier that meant he’d be sitting in his wheelchair in the roadway, watching his family make s’mores from a distance. highlighted the challenges of inclusive travel. This experience prompted him to question: What do families need when traveling with multiple generations and diverse disabilities? How can they fulfill their adventure dreams and check off their bucket lists? What can be done to ensure they share the same experiences and memories as any other families?

Driven by these questions, Kent and his family are establishing Wheelable Wilderness in 2024, a nonprofit dedicated to making adventures accessible for everyone.