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Chapters (48)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Notice
  3. Dedication
  4. FOREWORD
  5. Winter Solstice
  6. THE NO BARRIERS PLEDGE
  7. PROLOGUE
  8. 1
  9. 2
  10. 3
  11. 4
  12. 5
  13. 6
  14. 7
  15. 8
  16. 9
  17. 10
  18. 11
  19. 12
  20. 13
  21. 14
  22. 15
  23. 16
  24. 17
  25. 18
  26. 19
  27. 20
  28. 21
  29. 22
  30. 23
  31. 24
  32. 25
  33. 26
  34. 27
  35. 28
  36. 29
  37. 30
  38. 31
  39. 32
  40. 33
  41. 34
  42. 35
  43. 36
  44. EPILOGUE
  45. GLOSSARY
  46. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  47. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
  48. Newsletter Sign-up

No Barriers USA has grown to include an annual summit, a four-day event that showcases cutting-edge adaptive technologies and provides interactive clinics in an outdoor setting. The summit also offers No Barriers University, featuring inspiring speakers telling life-changing stories. No Barriers Warriors improves the lives of veterans with disabilities through curriculum-based experiences in challenging environments. And No Barriers Youth challenges young people to contribute their absolute best to the world through transformative experiences, classroom tools, and real-world inspiration.

All of the No Barriers USA programs open up new paths, new gates where those who feel defined by life changes can feel no boundaries to accomplishment, and a supportive community of people with shared experiences, visions, and dreams.

One of the incredible attributes of humanity is resilience. We hear a great deal about that term these days, and when you read this book you understand what a critical component it is for life, not just to survive, but also to thrive, as Erik has done.

And while most anyone who has gone through trauma or put his or her family through a traumatic experience would take it all back in a second, part of moving forward is looking for the positive aspects that are borne out of tragedy or the unexpected.

It’s meeting and getting to know people like Erik that has taught me the true definition of sacrifice through their actions, examples, and humility.

When you finally close the pages of this book, I guarantee you will feel a little lighter. You will also understand that anything is achievable if you set your mind to it.

No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon made me think about myself in new ways. And not only is it a great story and a riveting read, but it will challenge you to look at your own life and your gifts in new ways.

Erik’s incredible story and his commitment to be a beacon for others demonstrate how one person can make a difference in the lives of others. For him, there are many more mountains to climb, side by side with those of us who have become not just his admirers, but also his friends.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

The man looked my friend straight in the eyes and said

“You’ve been through a lot.”

My friend started sobbing

Who has not been “through a lot”?

It is when we recognize it in each other that we know love.

We unite in our endurance

As our minds embrace, our histories mingle

We lean in to share the experience

We lean in to touch one another

And we know we are alike.

—PATRICK FOSS

THE NO BARRIERS PLEDGE

I pledge to view my life as a relentless quest to become my very best self,

To always view the barriers in my life as opportunities to learn,

To find ways to build teams, serve those in need, and do good in the world,