Franklin Darnell Elam

Frank Elam is a 31-year-old veteran, father, and lifelong outdoorsman from Eupora, Mississippi. On June 30, 2018, while en route to deploy to Syria and Kuwait, Frank was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Though classified as a quadriplegic, Frank has regained mobility in his arms through sheer determination and now navigates life using a manual wheelchair.

Before his injury, Frank served as a U.S. Army infantryman and worked as a welder, carpenter, and tradesman. On his days off, he coached youth football, hunted, fished, and rode trails with friends. Life outdoors was who he was.

Today, he still does all of his favorite activities, like going into the woods and the pond behind his house with his son, coaching out on the football field, and working when he can, but it all come at a physical cost most people never see.

Frank has never let his injury define what he’s capable of. What he’s asking for now is a Coyote, a 4WD power wheelchair built to keep pace with his life, allow him to safely navigate difficult terrain around his property and help him get back to work providing for his family. Beyond the necessities of life, the Coyote will allow him to walk with his son to their favorite fishing hole, continue coaching his son’s football team with improved mobility, join his partner on the trails and adventures they both love, and so much more.

If you know Frank, or simply believe a father and veteran deserves that chance, we invite you to support his campaign and share it with others.