My “Can Do Canine” Has Helped Me Hike Thousands of Miles

 

I am an author, storyteller, educator, activist, and Nature lover; I capitalize Nature because to me it is a living proper noun. I am known for promoting inclusivity in outdoor spaces and sharing my experiences as an Afro-Indigenous, disabled backpacker. Originally from the South, I moved to Minnesota in 2019 and now call Grand Marais home.

With nearly 8,000 trail miles under my feet in my nearly decade-long backpacking trail, I’ve hiked sections of the:

• Appalachian Trail
• Continental Divide Trail
• Grand Enchantment Trail
• Great Western Loop
• Superior Hiking Trail
• John Muir Trail
• Arizona Trail
• Presidential Traverse Trail
• Tahoe Rim Trail
• Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail

In 2023, I became the first known BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) person to thru-hike the 1,100-mile long Florida Trail. I am also the first person with a neuromodulator implant to summit Mount Whitney, the largest mountain in the contiguous U.S., standing 14,505 feet.

In August, I set out to hike the 65-mile Border Route Trail and 55 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail in northeastern Minnesota. It was a fundraiser for Can Do Canines, in honor of my partnership with DeOhGee, a trained Can Do Canines diabetic alert dog. Can Do Canines is a nonprofit organization that partners specifically trained assistance dogs with disabled individuals living in Minnesota and Wisconsin free of charge.

I am living with an implanted neuromodulation system for a nonfatal rare brain disease and a rare glucose condition, marked by debilitating hypoglycemic unawareness episodes. Before partnering with DeOhGee, when my glucose levels rapidly dropped, I experienced dangerous low glucose. This resulted in disorientation, confusion, racing heart, and lack of coordination. This is dangerous for anyone, but more so for a long-distance backpacker. I am passionate about the outdoors and honored to have the support of DeOhGee, as I navigate these significant health challenges.

As someone who lives with rare medical conditions, I understand the importance of reliable support. The partnership with DeOhGee has significantly improved my quality of life. I can live independently, knowing that if anything happens to me, he’s got my back. He is trained to alert me when my glucose drops below 70 and brings me a juice to help raise my glucose. DeOhGee may also bring me an emergency bag, and he has a special telephone with which to call 911. If asked, he can open the doors, and he sometimes helps to clean up, including helping me with mundane household chores like laundry.

I am an advocate for historically excluded individuals to access Nature and to spend more time outdoors. I want everyone to know — especially people with disabilities — that even a short period of time outdoors is beneficial to your health.

You don’t need to go on long excursions, like thru-hiking the Border Route Trail, since the small ones will do. The more time we spend in Nature, the happier we’ll all be. I invite all Minnesotans and visitors to spend time exploring our beautiful state.

To support Can Do Canines, consider contributing to this fundraiser.