Quinn Brett and Jason Stoffer share their adventurous spirits and experiences before and after their spinal cord injuries, including crossing the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, on hand trikes, and their work with Unite to Fight Paralysis; aiming to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries through advocacy, education, and fundraising for research towards better treatments and potential cures.
This duo took the Grand Canyon head-on, from one side to the other and back again, with nothing but their grit and trusty hand cycles — or "trikes" as they like to call them. Why trikes? Because they are both paralyzed from the waist down. Jason was injured in a rollover vehicle crash. Quinn, from a fall while climbing a giant wall of granite, the famed El Capitan in California.
Their journey, marked by both physical, mental, and bureaucratic challenges, sheds light on wider issues faced by individuals with disabilities, offering insights that are as instructive as they are inspiring.
00:25 Adventures and Challenges: Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Experience
02:17 Meeting at Craig Hospital: A Bond Formed Through Rehabilitation
02:26 Exploring the Differences in Spinal Cord Injuries and Mobility
05:25 The Technicalities and Thrills of Hand Cycling and Trikes
11:19 The Grand Canyon Adventure: Planning, Teamwork, and Execution
17:12 Navigating the Technical Challenges of the Grand Canyon Trails
24:14 The Technicalities and Public Reactions to Adaptive Mobility Devices
24:46 Understanding and Educating on Accessibility in Nature
28:04 The Complexities of Adaptive Equipment and Accessibility Rights
33:02 Reflecting on Past Adventures and the Impact of Injuries
35:24 The Journey of Recovery and Advocacy for Spinal Cord Injuries
43:24 The Role of Unite to Fight Paralysis in Advancing Research and Advocacy