A Closer Look at the Trekker KT: Unbreakable Summit – October 24

When Tamara Morgan first saw the email inviting her to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in an adaptive trekker, she could hardly believe it. It sounded impossible. Until she opened it.

The message came from Accessibility Accelerator (A/A), an international nonprofit that helps people with disabilities participate in sporting adventures that once seemed out of reach. With their support, Tamara would become the first person with osteogenesis imperfecta to climb Africa’s tallest mountain.

Accessibility Accelerator partnered with Paratrek, a group that developed an off-road chair called the Trekker, designed to handle rocky terrain and steep inclines with the help of a team of guides and volunteers. “When I spoke with Jamie Lassner, A/A’s Executive Director, and realized they sincerely wanted me to join, I didn’t have to think about it for a minute,” said Tamara. “The answer was yes.”

But saying yes was only the beginning.

Tamara turned to the Adaptive Design Association (ADA) to make sure the Trekker was customized for her 3’2” frame and delicate bones. With less than two months before her departure, the ADA design team, led by adaptive designers Eric Gottshall and Adam El-Sawaf, began refining the Trekker to make it safer, lighter, and more comfortable.

“This chair is amazing,” said Eric. “It’s built with heavy-duty wheels and shock absorbers for rough terrain, but it was too big for Tamara. We needed to make it hers.”

The team created custom memory foam cushions to support Tamara’s back, legs, and head, using breathable, quick-drying foam with air holes for the unpredictable mountain weather. They covered the cushions in bright, stretchy fabric for visibility, elevated the footrests, and added a neck support for long climbs.

These thoughtful adaptations turned a rugged off-road wheelchair into a personalized, human-centered design, fit for an unforgettable journey to the summit.

For Tamara, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wasn’t just a personal challenge, it celebrates personal resilience but also amplifies the voices of the organizations that supported and inspired her along the way, including Adaptive Design Association, Accessibility Accelerator, Paratrek, and New Alternatives for Children. Her climb reflects the collective power of creativity, collaboration, and inclusive design.

Tamara is ready to share her story.

Join us for Unbreakable Summit on Friday, October 24th, from 4:30–7:00 PM at FIT’s Adapt/Evolve: A Cross-Disciplinary Exploration of Adaptive and Inclusive Design. Hear firsthand from Tamara about the preparation, design, and perseverance behind her historic climb.

The evening will feature storytelling, a gallery visit, light bites, and a Q&A, hosted at the Katie Murphy Theater at the Fashion Institute of Technology (300 7th Ave, NW corner of 7th Ave and 27th St, NYC).

This event is made possible by our friends at New Alternatives for Children.

Register here to attend in person or join virtually! Don’t miss this extraordinary night of storytelling and inclusive design. It's just one week away!