ABOUT US
Outdoor Ability Foundation
Here at Outdoor Ability Foundation, 501 (c) (3), our mission is to provide physically disabled children, ages 8–19, with the freedom and independence to experience the great outdoors through access to all-terrain mobility equipment. We are committed to removing barriers, restoring opportunities, and inspiring confidence by helping these children explore, hunt, fish, and create lasting memories in the outdoors.
OUR JOURNEY
Grayson was born with Spina Bifida in 1999. As you can see from the pictures, he has not allowed it to slow him down very much.
He's been on many adventures that include hunting, fishing, water and snow skiing, ice hockey, hiking/camping with his Boy Scout Troop, and wheelchair basketball (the team he played with won the National Championship for their division in 2013).
He absolutely loves the outdoors more than anything. That comes with a few challenges when you have a disability. Grayson and I have enjoyed many outdoor experiences together and want to help other families do the same.
Our challenge in the past has been having the adapted "tools" to get where we want, when we want it for the activity. We know that other families/individuals face the same challenges and have limited funds available to purchase adaptive equipment. That is why we created Outdoor Ability Foundation 501 (c) 3.
We provide grants to purchase adaptive equipment like crossbow cocking devices, portable hunting blinds, fishing equipment, skiing equipment, etc. for those families, individuals, and groups needing this equipment to provide outdoor experiences for the disabled.
Grayson and I have enjoyed outdoor adventures for years but are just beginning our journey as Outdoor Ability Foundation to help others. Help us spread the word by sharing us on Facebook.
How our system works
Our Story & Program Model
Our program was inspired by our own journey when Grayson received his all-terrain wheelchair. We found a quality used chair that made the purchase far more affordable, but we still had only a couple of months to raise the funds. We poured everything into it by launching a GoFundMe, selling Mississippi Mud Brownies, organizing car washes, and doing whatever else it took to make it happen.
With just a couple of weeks remaining before the deadline, we had raised only half the amount needed. We were unsure how we’d close the gap and were determined not to borrow the money. That’s when a family friend and mentor stepped in and generously provided the remaining half, allowing us to get Grayson his chair.
That experience changed everything for us. It showed us the power of community, determination, and a timely helping hand. Because of it, the Outdoor Ability Foundation now follows a proven model when helping other families:
We help locate suitable, quality used equipment (to keep costs as low as possible), and we ask the family to raise 50% of the total cost. We provide guidance, resources, and support throughout the process, just like we received when we needed it most.