Our Story
How a life-changing accident and a love for the outdoors sparked a mission to make nature accessible to everyone.
Why I Founded The Rods for Wheels Organization
I’ve spent more than 40 years of my life outdoors. From serving in the United States Marines to traveling across the country for work, the outdoors has always been a major part of who I am. It’s where I’ve found peace, purpose, and perspective—no matter what else was going on in life.
Then one day, everything changed.
I was involved in a serious car accident. During my recovery, I was forced to confront questions I’d never had to ask before: What if I had been unable to walk again? What if a traumatic brain injury or another life-altering condition had taken away my ability to do the things I loved?
Those questions stayed with me.
As I recovered, I started researching organizations that help people reconnect with the outdoors as part of their recovery and mental health journey. I found many incredible groups doing important work for veterans, but I noticed something was missing. There were very few organizations focused on helping people with disabilities who were not part of the veteran community.
“Why shouldn’t people who were born with disabilities, or whose lives changed due to illness or accident, have the same opportunities to experience nature and everything it has to offer?”
That question changed the direction of my life.
I began speaking with families and individuals living with disabilities. What I heard over and over again was that outdoor recreation equipment designed for accessibility was the last thing on their minds. Their priorities were focused on daily needs, medical care, and essential expenses. Purchasing specialized outdoor equipment, especially something that might only be used occasionally, simply wasn’t realistic.
In the end, it came down to three major barriers: cost, access, and support.
Specialized equipment alone can cost thousands of dollars. Transporting it to outdoor locations adds more. Insurance, safety gear, and logistics pile on top of that. For most families, those costs make outdoor recreation feel completely out of reach.
That realization is what led to the creation of The Rods for Wheels Organization to help remove those barriers and make the outdoors accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
David K. Kuhn, Founder & President
What The Rods for Wheels Organization Does
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. Everything we do is centered on one goal: giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
Adaptive Fishing Trips
We organize and fund fishing experiences designed for individuals with physical disabilities. Using adaptive equipment like specialized rod holders, accessible watercraft, and all-terrain wheelchairs, we make it possible for participants to get on the water safely and comfortably.
Nature Outings
Beyond fishing, we provide opportunities for individuals and families to spend meaningful time outdoors. Whether it’s a day along a river, time at a lake, or simply being surrounded by nature, these experiences offer peace, connection, and a break from the weight of everyday life.
Equipment & Accessibility
One of our core priorities is acquiring and maintaining adaptive outdoor equipment—from track chairs and accessible fishing gear to transportation vehicles that allow us to bring participants and equipment to outdoor locations. We cover these costs so families don’t have to.
Community & Awareness
We work to raise awareness about the gap in accessible outdoor recreation and build a community of donors, sponsors, and volunteers who believe everyone deserves the chance to experience nature. Through outreach and partnerships, we’re growing a network of support around this mission.
Who We Serve
Our programs are open to individuals with physical disabilities who face barriers to accessing outdoor recreation—whether those barriers are financial, physical, or logistical.
This includes individuals who:
Were born with a physical disability
Acquired a disability due to illness, accident, or injury
Are living with conditions that limit mobility or access to the outdoors
Are managing the daily demands of caregiving and expenses
We believe that the healing power of nature should not be limited by a person’s physical ability, financial situation, or access to specialized equipment. If the outdoors can bring someone peace, joy, or a sense of connection, they deserve the opportunity to experience it.
Meet the Founder
David K. Kuhn
Founder & President, The Rods for Wheels Organization
David K. Kuhn is a United States Marine Corps veteran with more than four decades of experience in the outdoors. After a career that took him around the world during his military service and across the country in the private sector, David’s life took an unexpected turn following a serious car accident.
That experience opened his eyes to the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities who want to access the outdoors but are blocked by financial, physical, and logistical barriers. Driven by a belief that nature’s healing power should be available to everyone, David founded The Rods for Wheels Organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making outdoor recreation accessible to those who need it most.
Based in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, David leads the organization’s day-to-day operations, program development, and community outreach. His goal is simple: remove the barriers, provide the equipment and support, and give people the chance to find peace on the water.
Contact: davidkuhn@rodsforwheels.org
Help Us Bring the Outdoors to Those Who Need It Most
Every contribution helps us provide adaptive equipment, organize accessible fishing trips, and give individuals with disabilities the chance to experience the healing power of nature. Your support makes it possible.