My name is Galen, I am 23 years old and I have cerebral palsy. Having a disability isn't easy sometimes, and I have overcome a lot of obstacles in my life. Setting goals is one of my major strengths and has become significantly easier over time.
Through pure determination and non-stop practice, I learned how to walk when I was 13 years ol
My name is Galen, I am 23 years old and I have cerebral palsy. Having a disability isn't easy sometimes, and I have overcome a lot of obstacles in my life. Setting goals is one of my major strengths and has become significantly easier over time.
Through pure determination and non-stop practice, I learned how to walk when I was 13 years old, which was my biggest goal in life. I now love hiking on trails and being in nature where I live in Santa Cruz, California.
People would describe me as a funny, inspiring, motivated, friendly dude.
I like to be social, riding my power chair around town every day, practicing Spanish and having major laughing attacks with my friends. I've gone over hundreds of miles off-road exploring (even once having to call the fire department to come rescue me!). I enjoy family, community and making new friends with awesome people. I even have a ski rope attached to my power wheelchair so that I can tow skateboarders and roller skaters, which is another fun way to connect.
I am currently creating artwork at Claraty Arts, a program for artists with disabilities. My favorite medium is polymer clay and I enjoy designing random, weird, funny and creepy sculptures. I enjoy cruising around my hometown of Capitola and Santa Cruz, California, with my brother and our friends. You can often find me “giving rides“ to skateboarders with my electric wheelchair.
I also enjoy spending time with my dog Buddha, and I am a foodie!
My next biggest goal is traveling the world!
My name is Gigi Hard and I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California. I live with several conditions that have affected my physical abilities my entire life. They include Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome, Severe Cervical and Spinal Stenosis, Spondylitis Myelopathy, Failed Neck Surgery Syndrome, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteoarth
My name is Gigi Hard and I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California. I live with several conditions that have affected my physical abilities my entire life. They include Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome, Severe Cervical and Spinal Stenosis, Spondylitis Myelopathy, Failed Neck Surgery Syndrome, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteoarthritis, and Avascular Necrosis. As a result, I cannot walk very far anymore without a wheelchair and the progression is so much that I just got a powerchair as well.
My family and friends would describe me as hard working, spontaneous, funny, empathetic and inspiring. I enjoy writing,singing, fishing, photography, snorkeling, people watching, being of service but most of all… Traveling! This passion has led me to take four cross country “Trips To Nowhere“, where I just get in the car and go, no destination in mind, just to make sure I land before sunset. My goal is to travel worldwide and help others with limited mobility issues to be able to do the same.
Who is Freedom Trippers?
We are two cousins who want to travel the world but also both have conditions which causes limited mobility. In an effort to book a few trips, we realized that there were a lot obstacles that needed to be addressed and that other mobility impaired individuals often never get the opportunity to reach their dreams of travel as a result of these obstacles. We decided that we would travel together and document our journeys to create roadmap showing other people with mobility difficulties how they can reach their dreams of travel as well. We were elated when thinking about how many people this could help… people with lifelong injuries or even recent ones, elderly people, veterans… The list went on.
From this, Freedom Trippers was born.
We are so excited to announce that with the help of so many people we have reached our first goal of $12,500!!! We have filed our corporation paperwork as a nonprofit and have booked a cruise to the Greek islands departing in June 2025. We are working diligently on finalizing details of our trip including setting up the excursions, finding transportation, researching local cultural and historical places of interest, dining options and more.
We are forming a team and are beyond ecstatic for the exceptional people that have joined in on our mission.
Together, all things are possible!
We would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters and contributors including every person who donated on GoFundMe, The Soquel Times in Capitola, California for their articles and especially to Bonny Getz, Jeff and Mo Burnham for their relentless pursuit in fundraising for us and supporting our mission! Also, a huge thank you to Jeff Stalling for his donation of a Hero GoPro with tripod and vest! Without these individuals, we surely would not have already reached our initial goal!
Keep an eye out around Capitol,California for our fundraising event coming in late spring of 2025 prior to our bon voyage celebration. If you would like to be a part of our fundraiser and would like to contribute merchandise or services for our fundraising auction please contact us directly at freedomtrippers2024@gmail.com
Thank you once again for all of your contributions and belief in our vision!
Stay blessed and stay Trippin!!
Sincerely,
Galen and Gigi (Cousins and Founders)
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