Ryan Chalmers’ wheelchair has taken him across the country.

Chalmers pushed across campus during his four years at the University. He rode his chair in the London Paralympic Games en route to a bronze medal in the track and field trials in the 1,500-meter race.

Now, Chalmers, along with a team of wheelchair athletes, is crossing the country in his chair.

They are encouraging others to take on challenges and give back to individuals and organizations that have made a difference in their lives through a campaign called “Push Across America.” For Chalmers, Stay-Focused, a nonprofit organization that offers SCUBA diving experiences to teens and young adults with disabilities, has made a huge difference. Through the program, he became a Professional Association of Diving Instructors-certified divemaster, which represents the first level of professional certification to work as a training assistant.

Chalmers said he has known for a long time that he wants to make the difference in the organization, and he’s happy about the campaign’s progress.

“I am able to put my passion of the organization and my passion for wheelchair racing together,” Chalmers said. “Able body or not, if you set goals for yourself and you’re passionate, you can achieve anything,”

He left Los Angeles on April 6 and is scheduled to arrive in New York City on June 15. On Wednesday, he pushed 71 miles en route to Champaign, bringing him more than halfway through his journey.

Chalmers said although his body is a bit sore, the campaign has been successful so far. Everyone on the team pushed with him the entire distance, which he said was very impressive.

“I’m happy,” he said. “We have a phenomenal team that’s coming across the country with us. We’ve had a great awareness built for the campaign, and we’re hoping to have more.”

He said the team is planning many post-push events to raise awareness in the cities that it couldn’t hit. 

Chalmers said it was a great opportunity to be back on campus and see the people on the University’s team. He will return to Champaign-Urbana for more training after the campaign is over.

Roger Muller, president of Stay-Focused, said the team is trying to send out the message as much as possible. On the team’s rest days, Chalmers gives talks about his experience living in a wheelchair.

Chalmers said at the beginning of the push, he was a bit nervous that pedestrians and drivers would not like the push since the team is going slow. However, the overall feedback has been good, and the team has been greeted by people cheering and clapping, as well as taking photos and videos.

“We’ve had great responses throughout the entire push,” Chalmers said. “The awareness we’re trying to build seems like it’s being achieved.”

Their next stop was Indianapolis. Chalmers did a lap on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indy 500 race Sunday.

“It’s been quite an adventure so far,” Chalmers said.

Earn can be reached at [email protected].

Ryan Chalmers’ wheelchair has taken him across the country.

Chalmers pushed across campus during his four years at the University. He rode his chair in the London Paralympic Games en route to a bronze medal in the track and field trials in the 1,500-meter race.

Now, Chalmers, along with a team of wheelchair athletes, is crossing the country in his chair.

They are encouraging others to take on challenges and give back to individuals and organizations that have made a difference in their lives through a campaign called “Push Across America.” For Chalmers, Stay-Focused, a nonprofit organization that offers SCUBA diving experiences to teens and young adults with disabilities, has made a huge difference. Through the program, he became a Professional Association of Diving Instructors-certified divemaster, which represents the first level of professional certification to work as a training assistant.

Chalmers said he has known for a long time that he wants to make the difference in the organization, and he’s happy about the campaign’s progress.

“I am able to put my passion of the organization and my passion for wheelchair racing together,” Chalmers said. “Able body or not, if you set goals for yourself and you’re passionate, you can achieve anything,”

He left Los Angeles on April 6 and is scheduled to arrive in New York City on June 15. On Wednesday, he pushed 71 miles en route to Champaign, bringing him more than halfway through his journey.

Chalmers said although his body is a bit sore, the campaign has been successful so far. Everyone on the team pushed with him the entire distance, which he said was very impressive.

“I’m happy,” he said. “We have a phenomenal team that’s coming across the country with us. We’ve had a great awareness built for the campaign, and we’re hoping to have more.”

He said the team is planning many post-push events to raise awareness in the cities that it couldn’t hit.

Chalmers said it was a great opportunity to be back on campus and see the people on the University’s team. He will return to Champaign-Urbana for more training after the campaign is over.

Roger Muller, president of Stay-Focused, said the team is trying to send out the message as much as possible. On the team’s rest days, Chalmers gives talks about his experience living in a wheelchair.

Chalmers said at the beginning of the push, he was a bit nervous that pedestrians and drivers would not like the push since the team is going slow. However, the overall feedback has been good, and the team has been greeted by people cheering and clapping, as well as taking photos and videos.

“We’ve had great responses throughout the entire push,” Chalmers said. “The awareness we’re trying to build seems like it’s being achieved.”

Their next stop was Indianapolis. Chalmers did a lap on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indy 500 race Sunday.

“It’s been quite an adventure so far,” Chalmers said.

Earn can be reached at [email protected].