OLATHE, Kan. -- A quadriplegic and his friends will soon embark on an unusual cross-country motorcycle trip, KMBC's Emily Aylward reported.

The group will leave Friday from Olathe on a 16-day trip to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries.

One member of the group will be enjoying the trip from the back of a motorcycle. Rick Davidson fell off a motorcycle when he was 21. The accident paralyzed him from the chin down, and he has been in a wheelchair and on a ventilator ever since.

"I got hurt on a motorcycle, but if I could walk today, I'd get right back on one," Davidson said.

Davidson said the trip has been planned for several months and he's looking forward to being towed behind a motorcycle.

Video

Video: Quadriplegic Embarks On Motorcycle Trip

"You can hear the birds ... You can see the clouds ... You can feel the road, feel the air," Davidson said.

Insurance has allowed Davidson to live at home for several years, and several of his friends went to nursing school to help care for him.

However, money is tight and health policies have changed. Davidson is worried he may soon end up in a nursing home.

Davidson and his friends hope the motorcycle trip will help promote legislation to allow Medicaid and Medicare money to pay for in-home care costs.

"I want to make sure everybody knows these bills need a great amount of attention," Davidson said.

Davidson is expected to meet with several state governors during the trip, and he has also been invited to visit the White House.

Web Link:
RickDavidson.org