My son wants to hike- in his words “climb a mountain!”

We camp/travel to spots he can do small attempts, but since he’s 8, and 60lbs- we can’t carry him up on big hikes anymore. The carriers don’t fit him, and at 60lbs with both adults having to pack- we’ve just reached the point of “what do we do here?”

We always encourage him to try, to find his own limits, to seek his adventures in a way that works for him. He’s great at adapting, but at the age where he feels he can’t do this or that, or the lack of stability is now scary.

He does weekly PT and wears an AFO on his left leg, but with travel, we’ve missed a few weeks this summer so I haven’t had a chance to bring it up with his therapist. She’s worked with him since he was 7 months old, so she pushes him and has become a huge part of his ability to adapt and think around the struggle.

I wish exoskeletons were available/affordable for kids with disabilities in this predicament.

Sometimes it’s hard to not think -Who would he be/what would he do if he wasn’t burdened with half a body that doesn’t work?

We celebrate his attempts, struggles, and will to keep at it, but It’s heartbreaking. Seeing all of the things he absolutely wants to do, and is now able to recognize his differences between himself and other kids.

We do have him signed up for golf camp, which he’s excited about- 1. it’s a sport and 2. he doesn’t have to keep up with his peers like basketball and such.

But I want my child to climb mountains if he wants to.
I want to support him, get him the correct equipment, learn hiking techniques, but I’m not in his body. I don’t suffer from lack of stamina, exhaustion/fatigue, muscle cramps and spasms, etc. so I feel out of my depth here.