"Come on, Grandma!" - Three words that changed everything.

After 20+ years of watching her family ski into the mountains without her, Anne Marie heard something she never thought she'd hear again: her grandchildren calling for her to join them.

I just had one of those conversations that reminded me exactly why we built the Exoquad in the first place. Meet Anne Marie – and trust me, her story will stick with you.

Watch our full conversation here, or keep reading for the complete story

The Life Before

Anne Marie and her husband, Kikki, weren't just outdoor enthusiasts. They were the real deal – spending their lives leading outdoor education camps for kids and youth across Norway. The mountains weren't just a hobby for them; they were everything.

These two had dedicated their careers to showing young people what it meant to truly connect with nature. Picture them guiding groups through Norway's wilderness, teaching kids to navigate mountain trails, instilling that deep love for the outdoors that stays with you forever.

In 2002, everything changed in an instant. During what should have been a routine training session at the local elementary school, faulty gymnasium equipment failed catastrophically. Anne Marie fell headfirst onto a thin mat, sustaining a serious spinal cord injury at C3-C5.

Just like that, the woman who had guided countless young people through the wilderness was cut off from it herself.

Twenty Years of Watching

For over 20 years, Anne Marie became a spectator to the life she once lived. Every time her family laced up their ski boots, every mountain trip planned without her, every adventure that happened while she stayed home – it all added up to more than two decades of watching life happen from the sidelines.

Sound familiar? It's the same frustration that drove me to create the Exoquad after my own accident.

But here's the thing about people like Anne Marie: they don't give up. They wait. They hope. They stay ready for the right moment.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

That moment came through an unexpected source: Anne Marie's daughter, a physiotherapist who stumbled upon something while browsing online. She had discovered the Exoquad.

"It was my daughter who found it on the internet," Anne Marie explains in our conversation. "We knew about Torstein down in Lillehammer who had one, so borrowing it wasn't a problem."

That 14-day trial period during a beautiful autumn season became the catalyst for everything that followed.

"Come on, Grandma!"

Last Easter – after her daughter's discovery – Anne Marie found herself back in the ski tracks with her entire family. Her grandchildren weren't leaving her behind anymore. Instead, they were shouting: "Come on, Grandma!"

"The feeling was incredible," Anne Marie describes that first family outing. "After sitting at home for so long while the family went skiing, being able to be part of that community again was amazing."

Twenty-plus years of watching from windows, and suddenly she's gliding through the mountains again, breathing that crisp Norwegian air, feeling alive.

What made the difference? The Exoquad, of course. But really, it was Anne Marie's refusal to accept that her outdoor life was over.

More Than Just Getting Around

When I sat down with Anne Marie, talking to her felt like looking in a mirror. Here's someone who gets it – who understands what it means to lose access to the thing that defines you, and what it feels like to get it back.

Anne Marie's Exoquad has opened doors she never expected. She's rediscovered the mental health benefits of being in nature – that feeling of "floating on clouds" after a good outdoor adventure that sustains her through the week.

"I use it most for those moments," she explains. "Recently, my husband and I went out – he got a good walk, and I got a good ride."

She's planning trips with friends to accessible day-trip cabins scattered throughout her valley. She's saying yes to invitations she would have had to decline for over 20 years.

 

The Real Adventures

But Anne Marie isn't just taking gentle family strolls. Her adventure-loving daughter has taken her on more extreme outings too – full speed through the forest, rediscovering the thrill of outdoor life.

"It was this thing about full speed, but in beautiful weather and the scent of forest. Those are things that mean so much to me," Anne Marie reflects.

This is where the true value reveals itself. It's not just about conquering extreme terrain – though Anne Marie has done that. It's about the simple, profound joy of belonging.

The Mindset That Changes Everything

Anne Marie's determination to invest in her own freedom – using compensation from her accident to purchase the Exoquad – shows the value she places on independence and inclusion.

"We're willing to sacrifice quite a bit to get there," she acknowledges, speaking to the broader community of people seeking accessible outdoor solutions.

As she puts it: "You shouldn't hide away. You want to share both socially and actively."

Looking Forward

As Anne Marie prepares for summer adventures, her plans remain refreshingly open-ended. "I haven't made any wild plans yet," she laughs. "I'll take it as it comes."

But that flexibility itself represents a profound shift. For the first time in over 20 years, Anne Marie can make spontaneous decisions about outdoor adventures. The mountains are calling again, and now she can answer.

 

Why This Matters to All of Us

Look, I get it. Some of you reading this are dealing with your own challenges. Maybe you're supporting someone who is. Or maybe you just believe – like I do – that the outdoors belongs to everyone.

Anne Marie's story proves something I've always known: the right solution at the right time can change everything. Sometimes the most meaningful adventures aren't about conquering peaks – they're about coming home to what you love.

"It was our life – the mountains and being outdoors. When I got injured and lost that ability, it was such a loss. But now... now I can be part of that community again." - Anne Marie

The Bigger Picture

Anne Marie's journey from isolation to adventure isn't just inspiring – it's a roadmap. It shows us that with the right combination of determination, innovation, and community support, we can reclaim what seems lost.

Her story challenges our assumptions about what's possible and reminds us that sometimes the most profound adventures happen when we simply return to what we love most.

The mountains are calling.

Keep exploring,
Sigurd

P.S. Anne Marie's advice to anyone hesitating about new possibilities? "You have to be willing to try." That's the spirit that opens doors to adventure.

Ready to explore your own possibilities? Learn more about the Exoquad and discover how it's helping people worldwide reconnect with the outdoors they love.