Dean

Dean is a 4-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who recently moved to Alaska with his family. After relocating just six months ago, Dean’s family has been working hard to build a new life, find community, and create meaningful experiences together in their new home. For this adventure, Dean and his family traveled four hours north of Anchorage to Healy, Alaska, to experience an amphibious Fat Tire Trucking adventure. The unique vehicle travels across land and water, climbs steep terrain, and offers an unforgettable ride through Alaska’s rugged landscape. Dean’s favorite parts? Going fast and splashing through the water. What made this experience special wasn’t just the vehicle — it was the joy, trust, and connection shared by a family stepping into something new together. This film highlights the importance of accessible outdoor experiences, especially for families in the special-needs community who are seeking connection, inclusion, and belonging.

“Being able to not only get Dean outside but enjoy the nature of the drive and adventure was awesome. The fact that the staff talked to Dean like a person reminds me why I moved to Alaska. Back down South, we get stared at like we are the fish in the aquarium. But here in Alaska, people (even teenagers) engage with others with disabilities in ways I always get surprised. So that makes my heart happy knowing how inclusive the state is. ” - Liz, Dean’s Mom

Special thank you to Denali Fat Truck Tours