that allows people like Asher to be able to fully explore the world.”
and audiobook forms through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. In addition, Kevan’s friends have created a documentary film and miniseries about his trips, in order to share the inspirational stories with a broader audience. Kevan continues to write and travel, and enjoys speaking with individuals and groups about his testimony and how God continues to work through the ministry of WCK. In December 2022, the 2.0 edition of the backpack was released, with new improvements to its unique support and adjustment features. We Carry Kevan has a tutorial video on their website, and a volunteer technical consultant is available to talk directly with families about customized adjustments for individual situations.
Kevan and his team decided that they needed to take another trip, but this time with the intention of bringing their message of hope to others in need. In August 2018, Kevan once again made the backpack his primary mode of transportation and was carried by his friends to China. They did some sight-seeing and walked along part of the Great Wall. Through a partnership with Show Hope, a Christian adoption aid ministry, they also visited two care centers for children with disabilities and took backpacks for them to use. That’s when they realized that the backpack has more potential benefits to its passenger than they originally thought. “The pack is beneficial for the kids getting to experience walking and learning weight shifts that they otherwise wouldn’t do,” says Michaela Patterson, a physical therapist who worked at the centers. “[It exercises] core control, head control, and they can get weight bearing through their feet to help with bone density and overall joint health… Being close to caregivers helps them to attach better and learn what that healthy attachment looks like, and really just get to play the way that kids are supposed to play.”
THE BACKPACK CAUSES PROGRAM
Over 800 backpacks have been distributed in more than 30 countries around the world over the past three years. An estimated one-third of these backpacks have been distributed through a scholarship program for those who needed financial assistance. As the request waiting list grew longer, WCK realized there was an impersonal disconnect between the donors and the recipients. As a solution, WCK created a “Causes” page on their website which holds a collection of profiles, with photos and stories of individuals who request sponsored backpacks: https://wecarrykevan.org/causes . Each profile shows a financial goal, the total amount needed to cover the pack, shipping fees, and international import taxes. A progress bar indicates how much each cause has raised and what is still needed. Each profile also has a personal goal, sharing briefly what trips or activities the person hopes to do with
THE BOOK AND MORE
Kevan is a gifted storyteller and wrote a memoir called We Carry Kevan that beautifully details his travels and the powerful lessons he and his friends have learned through their experiences. The book was published in April 2019 and can be purchased on the organization’s website: https:// shop.wecarrykevan.org/ . It is also available in paperback
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