In honor of Veteran’s Day, I’m excited to share with you the latest Stories Happen in Forests video: Forests for All! The stars of this video are veteran, motivational speaker, and blind adventurer, Lonnie Bedwell, along with aspiring recreational therapist and paraplegic adventurer, Maggie Gettys. This pair of forest-loving friends enjoy all the woods have to offer through adaptive sports.

Watch the video!

Whether kayaking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, Lonnie and Maggie trust each other with their lives. But the woods aren’t just a playground to these friends. They both share a deep reverence for our irreplaceable forests and all the life that can be found within them.

Getting to spend time with Lonnie and Maggie in the woods, I learned a lot about adaptive sports. I got to dance and laugh with Lonnie, and Maggie shared her dreams with me of helping others find healing and connection through recreational therapy like she did after her spinal cord injury. Much gratitude to Lonnie and Maggie for sharing their stories and an unforgettable experience with you and with me.

Watch more stories like Maggie & Lonnie’s on our YouTube channel!

Amanda Rodriguez

Amanda is a first generation Cuban American. As a child in West Virginia, she saw first-hand the impact of forest destruction. Now, she helps others support Dogwood Alliance’s vital mission and applies her skills to online and web marketing. A poet, essayist, and fiction writer, Amanda is also the filmmaker of Dogwood’s "Stories Happen in Forests" documentary. She holds a Masters degree from Queens University of Charlotte and a BA from Antioch College. Amanda has been with Dogwood Alliance since 2010.