This team is enabling paralyzed individuals to enjoy off-road adventures.

      Andrew P. Collins

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      Facing a physically debilitating condition is one of the most challenging situations a person can encounter. When mobility is limited, everyday life becomes significantly more difficult. However, it's still possible to lead a fulfilling life even without fully functioning limbs. A non-profit organization called SOAR Experiences, located about 100 miles north of New York City, organizes innovative and exciting events that enable individuals with various physical disabilities to enjoy outdoor activities like overlanding and off-road driving.

      SOAR, which stands for Specialized Outdoor Adaptive Recreation, is one of three ventures operated by Scott Trager and his sons, Sam and Alex, along with additional partners and volunteers. They are based at a charming lodge set in the woods on around 70 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley. In addition to SOAR, they manage an off-road driving school and a dealership that sells heavy-duty wheelchairs equipped with tank-like treads, which will be discussed further in this article.

      I discovered Trager online while searching for off-roading spots in the Northeast. There aren’t many options, so I was pleasantly surprised to find an off-road driving facility in Ulster County, NY, just under 20 miles from my home. While discussing this with fellow car journalists, my friend Chris Perkins from Motor1 mentioned that he had visited Northeast Off-Road Adventures (NORA) and even knew the owner, which led to me connecting with him.

      During a later visit to NORA, I encountered a fleet of tank-tread wheelchairs, complete with skid plates, LED lights, and robust frames. This sparked my interest in SOAR, prompting me to return to witness how their programming operates in practice.

      “It really started when a couple of guys wanted to participate in the off-road school,” Trager shared. “But they were paralyzed. So we had to figure out how to make that work.” I liked his approach immediately. He described himself as a “solutionist,” meaning if he can’t directly overcome a problem, he finds ways to maneuver around it. That mindset is, in essence, what off-roading and overlanding are all about. Sam and Alex also appeared quite resourceful, overseeing the maintenance of a substantial fleet of off-road rental vehicles and wheelchairs while assisting the guests using them.

      Weeks later, I returned to the NORA lodge to join a group that had reserved an off-road experience for a birthday celebration. The guest of honor, Rob, was a paraplegic who lost the use of his legs in a motocross accident several years prior. Following a safety briefing, the entire group climbed into Action Trackchairs and traversed one of NORA’s numerous trails.

      I had the chance to operate one myself, and it was incredibly enjoyable. The joystick control and impressive torque made the chair feel like a mini battle mech navigating through the woods. Check out the slideshow for a closer look at one of these chairs.

      There are various models of Trackchairs, each with differing adjustability and features. However, they mainly share a similar design—large lithium batteries positioned low within a sturdy frame beneath the seat. Below that, a long, sled-like skidplate extends back to virtually eliminate the risk of tipping over, even on steep inclines.

      A joystick enables intuitive control of the treads, reminiscent of video game functionality. An additional control set allows users to tilt and raise the seat to navigate steep gradients. A small display screen and button configuration let you adjust the vehicle's speed limit like changing gears in a car. The same principles of off-roading apply: proceed as slowly as possible while going as quickly as needed, and place the wheels (or tracks) on top of obstacles instead of trying to straddle them.

      The Trackchairs are best operated slowly over rough terrain; they are most comfortable around 3 to 4 mph. However, some models can reach speeds of 6 mph or more, which can feel quite fast for the user. Similar to a 4×4, they're easy to pick up but a bit challenging to master. Regardless of physical limitations, they’re a blast to take on trails.

      The Trackchairs are enjoyable for everyone.

      In the latter part of the day, Scott, Sam, and Alex introduced the group to 4x4 vehicles. They had a modified XJ Jeep Cherokee equipped with quality tires, a mild lift, and hand controls enabling it to be driven without using feet. The steering wheel featured a spinning knob that allowed for easier directional changes at low speeds, while the brake and throttle were operated through a rod connected to both pedals, accessible by the driver’s other hand.

      This setup is popular among those who need to drive without the use of their legs. Pushing left activates the brake, while pushing right switches from the brake to the gas pedal. It’s not a configuration I would prefer on a racetrack, but for navigating