Dee Spitler, the host and a certified NWTA Co-Leader, has been busy preparing the site to be more accessible for men with physical disabilities. Dee says, “After 20 years of personal growth with the ManKind Project, I have found ‘my’ tribe of men who accept me, support me, and teach me what it is to be a man, no matter what barriers and challenges show up for me. To finally realize my mission, my purpose in life, is what motivates me every day, even the hard days.”

Jim Mulenos, another member of the certified leader team, referring to MKP USA’s slogan, added, “’Changing the world one man at a time’ is a magnificent vision, and my DNA knows that initiation is every man’s birthright.  The men who came for me made my life of choice and empowerment possible.  And it’s high time that every man truly have the same; no bars, no chains, equal access and barrier free.  Join us, are you ready?”

A diverse staff from around the globe have been meeting regularly since early February to prepare for this groundbreaking NWTA, with the intention of providing similar Gateway trainings regularly around the world. The Barrier Free NWTA is designed to allow men of varying physical abilities to experience a breakthrough weekend of connection, understanding, and empowerment.

The Full-Leader of the training, Greg Gondron, is no stranger to Gateway NWTAs. He has been instrumental in founding GBTQ and Deaf/Hard of hearing NWTAs and has been leading them nationwide for years. Greg said, “Each of us has a unique story, one to be witnessed and shared. We are creating a training for men to examine barriers, real or imagined, while discovering their gifts, value, and abilities in a safe, compassionate space.”

The Mankind Project is a global nonprofit organization inclusive of men of all backgrounds, orientations, ages, faiths, no faiths, and now, varying abilities and challenges. For info on on how you or a loved one can participate contact us @ ‪southwest@mkpusa.org / (602) 492-1142‬