A man and woman from Colorado are inspiring internet users everywhere with their determination as they have teamed up to help one another overcome their disabilities while also enjoying the great outdoors.

Melanie Knecht was born with spina bifida, which has left her relying on a wheelchair to get around. Meanwhile, Trevor Hahn recently became blind after glaucoma five years ago. Both Melanie and Trevor live in Fort Collins, and when they met at an adaptive boxing class, they immediately hit it off.

They soon realized that they had a lot in common, since Melanie had a lifelong passion for camping and Trevor had always loved being outdoors. When Melanie told Trevor about a recent trip to Easter Island in which she was carried on someone’s back, the two of them came up with a brilliant idea.

 

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We have officially set a date and picked a 14er (but are keeping it a secret??)! With one month to go, we are training and preparing as much as we can! ??? Guiding Trevor has become more natural/easier, and Trevor is building up his strength carrying Melanie. Many people stopped to stare at us on this beautiful trail specifically, probably a little confused and definitely curious.? This is nothing new for Mel, and doesn’t bother Trevor obviously ?, but we love making new friends, so if you see us on the trails, please say “hello??”! Part of sharing this journey is creating a safe space to ask ability-related questions, which we are more than willing to discuss. FYI, most handicapable people would rather be asked a seemingly uncomfortable question, than have (most likely) false assumptions made about them. If there’s anything you’re dying to know, ASK!??? #hikingwithsight • • (Image description: Trevor and Melanie smiling on the Twin Sisters Trail with big boulders, surrounded by pine trees, under blue skies, with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak being majestic in the background)

A post shared by Trevor & Melanie (@hiking_with_sight) on Jul 11, 2019 at 8:13am PDT

Melanie and Trevor have since started going hikes together with her being carried on his back and acting as his eyes. Though they started small at first, next month they are planning to hike to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain.

“It just seemed like common sense,” Melanie said. “He’s the legs, I’m the eyes — boom! Together, we’re the dream team.”

To start their hikes, a friend will life Melanie into a carrier on Hahn’s back. From that point on, she acts as his eyes and directs him verbally on which way to go on the trail.

 

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We have officially set a date and picked a 14er (but are keeping it a secret??)! With one month to go, we are training and preparing as much as we can! ??? Guiding Trevor has become more natural/easier, and Trevor is building up his strength carrying Melanie. Many people stopped to stare at us on this beautiful trail specifically, probably a little confused and definitely curious.? This is nothing new for Mel, and doesn’t bother Trevor obviously ?, but we love making new friends, so if you see us on the trails, please say “hello??”! Part of sharing this journey is creating a safe space to ask ability-related questions, which we are more than willing to discuss. FYI, most handicapable people would rather be asked a seemingly uncomfortable question, than have (most likely) false assumptions made about them. If there’s anything you’re dying to know, ASK!??? #hikingwithsight • • (Image description: Trevor and Melanie smiling on the Twin Sisters Trail with big boulders, surrounded by pine trees, under blue skies, with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak being majestic in the background)

A post shared by Trevor & Melanie (@hiking_with_sight) on Jul 11, 2019 at 8:13am PDT

“It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life,” Trevor said. “The best part is being able to make her smile—that gives me purpose.”

Both Melania and Trevor get a ton of satisfaction from being able to do this without any assistance.

“That’s the human spirit,” Trevor said. “If you want something bad enough, and you find the right people—who also want what you want—you can do anything.”

 

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Hello, friends! We are Trevor and Melanie AKA Hiking with Sight, and together we are going to hike a 14,000 foot mountain in our beautiful home state of Colorado. In 2013, Trevor lost his vision to glaucoma, but has since been guided up mountains all over the world using a bell/voice system. Melanie, born with spina bifida, uses a wheelchair to get around. Trevor and Melanie became friends through their love of adaptive sports, which gave them the idea of utilizing both of their strengths to get outside! Melanie is the eyes of the operation, guiding Trevor as he hikes with Melanie on his back! Stay tuned to see how we creatively overcome challenges and summit mountains! #hikingwithsight #noeyesnolegsnoproblem

A post shared by Trevor & Melanie (@hiking_with_sight) on Feb 15, 2019 at 8:39am PST

In the end, Trevor and Melanie are hoping that their story will inspire others to be more inclusive towards people with disabilities.

“Don’t not include them because you think they won’t be able to do something.”