A local man is attracting attention nationwide attention as he raises money to buy himself a new wheelchair.
Chris Kemp is a Flour Bluff High School graduate and a big outdoorsman, and said a new chair would give him an entirely new means to doing the things he loves most.
His mother, Beverly Hill, said spending time with friends is what Chris is most passionate about.
"He can do 5K races, half marathons, marathons… whatever his friends are able to run with him," Hill said.
Chris has cerebral palsy and uses his wheelchair to get from point A to B, but said a new wheelchair he has his eye on would enhance his racing experience.
"He decided he wanted one of the chairs and I told him, ‘If you can come up with the ways to get one, think of ways to raise the money, and we’ll get it,’" Hill said.
Chris, quite the social media guru, knew just the means to do so.
With the help of his mother, he designed t-shirts, beer mugs, wine glasses, and car decals to sell online, and the quest for new wheels catapulted from there.
Facebook users from all over the country have contributed to Chris’s campaign, sending their support and well wishes.
"They’ve gone all over the place. We’ve shipped them out to Oregon, Colorado, Vegas," Hill said.
The new chair costs nearly $5,000, and Chris is well on his way to achieving his goal with only a little more than $1,000 left to go.
Team Chris merchandise is being sold online and directly through Chris’s Facebook page.
We’re told the hottest selling item is the pink t-shirt, so get it while you can!
