Friends help Georgia quadriplegic in pursuit of 78-mile dream

O’Ree Crittenden hasn’t hiked in the 15 years since he jumped feet first over a railing trying to rescue a boy’s kite. (Credit: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

O’Ree Crittenden hasn’t hiked in the 15 years since he jumped feet first over a railing trying to rescue a boy’s kite. (Credit: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

It’s been O’Ree Crittenden’s dream to hike the Appalachian Trail.

And he may get that chance if his friends, Lee Griffith and Chad Pepper, raise $15,000 for equipment the Georgia man will need to hike the 78.6-mile trail, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Crittenden, a 46-year-old quadriplegic, hasn’t hiked in the 15 years since he jumped feet first over a railing trying to rescue a boy’s kite.

Griffith and Pepper are hoping the $15,000 will get Crittenden a special wheelchair along with other equipment.

A GoFundMe page was set up for donations, which are nearing $13,000.

Read more of the story here.