Man insists on backpacking around Europe, even if it means becoming the backpack

A man with spinal muscular atrophy refuses to let his disability stop him from travelling the world, even if it means backpacking through Europe – as someone’s backpack.

Kevan Chandler plans to travel with a group of friends, who have offered to carry him in a customised backpack in places his wheelchair cannot take him.

They’re determined to make sure Mr Chandler, whose disease causes his muscles to progressively weaken, can see the world just as they can.

The trip will last three weeks and take in the sights of France, England and Ireland.

“I have a dream to visit Europe and explore the history and amazing sites that are there but as you can guess a lot of that is really difficult with a wheelchair involved,” Mr Chandler said.

Mr Chandler plans to write a book about the experience and wants to inspire other people to help alleviate the burdens of others whenever they can.

"We are all broken in some way or another, and so we all need our burdens to be held up and carried by each other, and the only way that's going to happen is if we help each other out, and that requires sacrifice of self," he said.

Mr Chandler and his friends have started a GoFundMe page called We Carry Kevan to raise funds for the trip.