Welcome

Step off of a trail of misery and onto a trail of joy!

Barton and Megan are smiling in all of the photos below, expressing the joy in their adventures. Barton and Megan Cutter, a white male and female, from behind. Barton is using a power wheelchair, and Megan is turned toward him with her arm around him. They are looking out over Boulder Valley from an elevated lookout at Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado. A wooden fence is in front of them. Barton is wearing a leather jacket, and Megan’s dark blue hooded coat is draped over the back of his wheelchair. Photo taken February, 2024.

The Story of Barton and Megan

The Big Move

Barton and Megan Cutter, a white male and female, from behind. Barton is using a power wheelchair, and Megan is turned toward him with her arm around him. They are looking out over Boulder Valley from an elevated lookout at Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado. A wooden fence is in front of them. Barton is wearing a leather jacket, and Megan’s dark blue hooded coat is draped over the back of his wheelchair. Photo taken February, 2024.

In 2022, Barton and Megan Cutter reflected on all of the trials they had traversed in their lives, from the immense grit of forging new paths around inter-ability relationship, carving out careers and independence at all costs, and publishing their memoir, to almost losing their house, lost contracts, the death of multiple friends and disability advocates. And for all the awesomeness they had experienced, they recognized a deep and pervasive undercurrent of suffering. They didn’t want to spend the second half of their lives stuck in the same perpetual cycle.

As an inter-ability couple, they knew they needed to navigate the world differently, seeing a vision of life beyond typical storylines of success. So, they gave up three-fourths of their belongings, packed their accessible van, and drove across the U.S. from North Carolina to land in Colorado.

We find hope, inspiration, and motivation in each other’s stories. We realize we aren’t alone on this daunting life. The hardship and trauma of the last few years has set into motion a life of continued suffering that could span lifetimes.

And, there are antidotes, glimpses of joy, laughter, hope, and love. Through these, we lift each other up along the way. In the surrender to the unexpected experiences of life, there is an opportunity for the expression of joy, even in small moments.

Megan sitting on Barton's lap on a dirt road with their dog

No, it’s not perfect.
Yet, isn’t it better
when we’re in it together?

Barton and Megan found these moments of awe on their incredible new adventure and life on the trail. Life doesn’t stop and sometimes these moments are hard to remember. So they designed a way to share their stories, inspire others, and remind each other, there is awe in a life of full presence.

Barton and Megan smiling outside on a cloudy day near the water and mountains.

Laughing Trails Podcast

In these episodes,
you will:

Listen Now

Discover how to step out of suffering and into moments of joy and awe

Laugh – because Barton and Megan are anything but traditional, and inevitably adventures never go as planned

Break through barriers of your own around what you deem possible

Barton and Megan Cutter, a white male and female, at Molas Pass, Colorado. Barton is in a manual wheelchair wearing a blue four-corners t-shirt. Megan is leaning over beside him wearing a gray four-corners t-shirt. Behind them are several tall pine trees and the San Juan mountains partially covered in snow. A few other tourist are seen on the walkway to a lookout point. Photo taken June, 2023.

Barton and Megan Cutter, a white male and female, at the summit of Pike’s Peak. Colorado. Barton is sitting in his power wheelchair, and is wearing a white sweater and brown leather coat. Megan is standing beside him wearing a blue sweater and light blue parka with hood. A gray backpack is on the back of Barton’s power wheelchair. Behind them is safety railing, and beyond that are the Rocky Mountains north and west of Pike’s Peak. Photo taken October, 2023.

What trail are you going to travel today?

For an inclusive offering, we’ve included the podcase link, Youtube video, transcription, Megan’s photography, and universal accessibility feature to this site. We don’t always get it right, so let us know if there’s an accessible offering that would be beneficial to reach your lifestyle!