The Story
Six friends, three countries, no wheelchair; and that was just the beginning...
Timeline Explore some of the milestones on the journey so far...
Who is Kevan?
Kevan Chandler grew up in the foothills of North Carolina. He was the second of his siblings to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, type 2, a rare neuromuscular disease. In 2016, he and his friends took a trip across Europe, leaving his wheelchair at home, and his friends carried him for three weeks in a backpack. An avid storyteller, he is a writer and speaker worldwide about his unique life with a disability, being a featured speaker for Tedx and Google, as well as various conferences, pharmaceutical companies, and universities. Kevan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Counseling from John Wesley College, and is also founder of the nonprofit We Carry Kevan. He and his wife Katie live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they enjoy growing vegetables, making homemade bread, and reading to each other.
How did we get here?
From six friends with a dream to travel, to a worldwide support community of friends and family, we've been part of an amazing journey. Explore the timeline below to learn more about the road so far...
The journey so far... Summer 2015
The idea
In the summer of 2015, Kevan asks a few close friends to help him realize a lifelong dream to travel to Europe. They all eagerly get onboard to help him make it happen.
Spring 2016
Putting the pieces together
Kevan and his friends start a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for their trip to Europe. They also work to adapt a kid carrier backpack that can carry Kevan for the upcoming trip.
Summer 2016
We carry Kevan
Kevan and his friends set out to travel Europe for three weeks, leaving his wheelchair at home, while the guys carry him in their modified hiking backpack.
Summer 2016
France
Kevan and his friends dance in the streets of Paris on Summer Solstice and attend a music festival on the Seine River honoring Django Reinhardt.
Summer 2016
England
The guys wander through the English countryside in Kent and visit special landmarks in London.
Winter 2017
Onward and upward
After his journey, Kevan wanted to help others redefine accessiblity in their own lives. So, We Carry Kevan becomes an officially incorporated non-profit organization, establishes a board of directors, and begins working with Deuter USA to develop their own backpack prototype and product.
Summer 2017
The View from Here
We Carry Kevan hosts the exclusive preview of the documentary film about their adventures in Europe, The View from Here, in a theater in Indiana, where Kevan lives.
Summer 2017
Reaching out
Kevan and his friends deliver their first custom backpack to a family in Colorado.
Summer 2017
Champions of Hope
Kevan and company attend the Global Genes Rare Disease conference and are honored as RARE Champions of Hope.
Winter 2018
The next adventure
Ready for another adventure, Kevan and his trusted companions set their sights eastward. An official announcement from We Carry Kevan reveals that the group is planning a trip to China and another fundraising campaign is launched.
Summer 2018
We carry Kevan... to China
The adventurers set off for the far east, to explore China for three weeks. Once again, Kevan's wheelchair stays at home while his faithful friends carry him in their custom WCK backpack.
Summer 2018
Luoyang
Kevan and friends visit a Show Hope center where they give backpacks to the nannies there so they can carry the children.
Spring 2019
Telling the story
Kevan's book, We Carry Kevan, detailing his adventures around the world in the backpack, is published by Hachette Book Group.
Summer 2019
Carrying each other... worldwide
We Carry Kevan receives its first bulk inventory of the WCK Backpack and starts shipping them to families around the world.
Fall 2019
Sharing the mission
Kevan and his sister Connie speak together for the first time at Hutchmoot.
Spring 2020
Building the community
Eager to grow the WCK community, We Carry Kevan hires its first staff member, Connie, to oversee Family Support and Engagement.
Fall 2020
Something happened on the way to China...
While travelling in China, Kevan found a new friend in another American who worked with non-profits in China. Her name is Katie. Two years later, through God's abundant grace, they became man and wife! You can read more of the story on Kevan's blog.
Winter 2020
Going on tour
Kevan and the WCK Team visit backpack recipients in Louisiana, Alabama, northern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on their first Family Tour.
Summer 2021
Better together
Kevan and the WCK Team visit backpack recipients in Colorado and have their first WCK Family Group Hike, with multiple participants being carried in WCK Backpacks.
Summer 2021
We Carry Kevan on film
We Carry Kevan hosts the first online screenings of the Europe and China documentary films: The View from Here and We Carry Kevan in China.
Fall 2021
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Kevan speaks on the main stage at CAFO, along with two breakout sessions.
May 28, 2022
First annual WC5K Walk/Run/Roll Fundraiser event
June 2022
"Who Are We"... podcast launches its first season
In this unique podcast, Kevan Chandler, founder of We Carry Kevan, sets out to talk with his friends about friendship, from their varied backgrounds and experiences. Check it out on the WCK YouTube channel.
November 2022
A good Cause
The Cause program began, providing families with a platform to share their stories and allowing donors the opportunity to more directly see the impact of their gifts.
December 22, 2022
Arrival of the new 2.0 WCK Backpack
The new and improved WCK Backpack arrives at WCK HQ and starts shipping out! See it in action here.
March 2023
Backpack family tour
Kevan and the WCK Team did a Backpack Family Tour to Texas, visiting families in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin.
December 2023
Kevan's story, kids edition!
With some help from friends, the WCK Children's Book was published (check it out over in our shop)
Onward we go...