Teamwork overcomes all obstacles, and Melanie Knecht and Trevor Hahn’s duo perfectly proves it. Knecht was born with Spina bifida and uses a wheelchair to get around while Hahn lost his eyesight due to glaucoma five years ago. Together, however, they have everything they need to go hiking, and they have been exploring Colorado mountains and trails, ever since meeting at an adaptive exercise class.
Melanie Knecht was born with spina bifida, and Trevor Hahn lost his sight because of glaucoma five years ago
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Together, however, they’re hiking mountains
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They met at an adaptive exercise class and have been exploring Colorado mountains and trails ever since
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“It just seemed like common sense,” Knecht told Good Morning America
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“He’s the legs, I’m the eyes — boom! Together, we’re the dream team”
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“This way, we both have purpose and this huge responsibility”
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Knecht has been camping and exploring the outdoors since her childhood, and recently went to Easter Island, where she was able to ascend steep cliffs in a carrier on someone else’s back.
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Hahn always loved outdoor sports and continued doing them even after becoming blind.
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When they go out into the Colorado wilderness, someone usually secures Knecht onto Hahn’s back. Then, it’s all up to them. He hikes along the trail while she guides him through with verbal directions.
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“I describe everything I see and exactly how Trevor needs to move”
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According to the duo, the best part about working together is overcoming obstacles that would seem too big if they worked separately.
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“It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life,” Hahn said. “Just getting on top of a mountain, a car can’t get to it, you just feel that sense of accomplishment. The best part is being able to make her smile. That gives me purpose.”
Image credits: hiking_with_sight
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