Nathan Ogden is quadriplegic, but he's about to take a ride most would never attempt.
Ogden has broken his neck not once, but twice.
"I broke my neck 15 years ago snow skiing and was paralyzed," he said. "Then, was dropped off an x-ray table and broke my neck again."
Ogden is about to trade his wheelchair for a bike.
He explained his mission to "Chair the Hope" at Tuesday's Meridian Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
"I know what it's like to not be able to move and do what I want to do, and I know throughout the world there are so many, not just kids but adults, that are unable to get around their village or city that they're in," Ogden said.
With the help of his wife and four kids, Ogden will bike in a relay from Bend, Oregon to Los Angeles.
"The whole purpose is we're starting up where it all started for me: in the snow," he said. "I wrote a book called Unfrozen which talks about how to go from being mentally stuck and kind of thawing your life out. So we figured what better way to start than in the snow and end up in L.A. where it's pretty warm."
The goal is to raise $100,000 for the Wheelchair Foundation.
"Each wheelchair only costs $150," Ogden said.
Ogden and his family plan to hand-deliver some of the wheelchairs to families in a developing nation.
Though the money goes to help mobilize other across the world, Ogden says he hopes the inspiration behind his mission touches closer to home.
"I want people to know that you can do hard things and that you should put your mind out there and dream bigger than you are right now," he said. "That way, when you accomplish it, oh man. You can't fathom what it will be like."
The journey begins July 10.
To follow along with the journey or to donate, click here.
