In 2005, I sustained a spinal cord injury at the age of 46 after falling from the top of a 30-foot ladder while cutting a tree branch with a chainsaw. The injury resulted in paralysis from my lower chest down to my toes. After surgery to fuse the vertebrae in my back, I spent four months in rehab and a nursing home, learning how to live with my new reality.

Before my injury, I loved hiking on the Appalachian Trail and exploring National Parks. In my new situation, I discovered handcycling as a way to reconnect with nature. I joined Pennsylvania Adapted Sports and began handcycling in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. In 2012, I bought my own Freedom Ryder Handcycle to ride on the Perkiomen Trail, just a mile from my home. The handcycle has an e-bike system to help me tackle steep hills, but the BionX motor assist is now unrepairable and needs to be replaced.

I'll be 67 years old this week, and I truly want to continue handcycling to stay healthy and happy. Installing a new motor assist system will allow me to keep riding and enjoying the outdoors. If you have a heart to help with this, I would really appreciate your support.