Wheels On Down the Road

A person in a wheelchair wearing a red plaid shirt and sunglasses embraces a large yellow Labrador Retriever, who looks directly at the camera.

About Me

Hi, I’m Levi Dokken, disability advocate and blogger, and welcome to Wheels On Down the Road!

This blog is where I share stories, perspectives, and reflections. Here I write about my experiences as a wheelchair user. I also discuss being a service dog handler, and my advocacy for accessibility and inclusion.

I created this space because I believe open and honest conversations matter. Meaningful dialogue is becoming increasingly rare in the world. I want this blog to be a place for sharing stories. It should be a platform for exploring new ideas. Different perspectives are also welcomed.

I invite you to join me through my writing. Let’s roll down the road together as a disability advocate. I am sharing stories that matter.

My Early Life

I grew up in rural Minnesota during the late ‘80s and ‘90s, a time when accessibility was still evolving. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) had just been enacted when I entered kindergarten. However, my elementary school wasn’t wheelchair accessible.

Elementary School

Because of this, I attended my kindergarten through third-grade classes in what was considered the middle school at the time. It had one kindergarten classroom. It also housed the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.

When I was about to enter fourth grade, my peers finally joined me. I was able to experience school with my grade level for the first time. When I was about to start fifth grade, the district decided to remodel the middle school. They turned it into an elementary school. The fifth and sixth grades were shifted to the top floor of the junior high.

Accessibility Challenges

Living in a rural area came with its own accessibility challenges. Since we lived on a farm, getting into town wasn’t always easy. My family didn’t have a fully wheelchair-accessible vehicle. They had to lift me into the truck. Then, they put my wheelchair in the bed of the truck.

Even when I was in town, things weren’t always accessible. The local movie theater didn’t have a wheelchair-accessible seating area until I was in junior high.

The Friday night hotspot in my town was the roller rink at the local armory. I could only get inside if someone lifted me, and my wheelchair, up the three small steps. The doorway was very tight.

Situations like these were common. I learned early on that getting around often required extra effort. It was not just from me but also from my family and friends.

Few Friends

Growing up, I didn’t have many friends. Part of the reason was living in the country. An even bigger reason was that I was disabled. I can still count on one hand how many close friends I had as a kid. It wasn’t always easy watching others form friendships and participate in activities that weren’t accessible to me.

Today, I’m thankful to have a few more friends—friends I know I can count on when things get real. The kind of friendships that don’t come along often but are worth holding onto.

Animals are Awesome!

Animals were a constant in my life. Our family had all kinds—cats, rabbits, even a pig—but it was dogs and horses that truly captured my heart. We always had big dogs, including German Shepherds, Labradors, Basset Hounds, and English Bulldogs. I loved their loyalty, their personalities, and the companionship they provided. I have loved dogs for as long as I can remember. So, it’s no surprise that being introduced to service dogs changed my life.

In 2018, I was matched with my first service dog, Dempsey, through Can Do Canines. We worked together for four years until the summer of 2022, when he unexpectedly passed away. He was more than just a working partner—he was my best friend. The loss was difficult, and the wait for a new match felt long. Then, in the fall of 2023, I was matched with Surley.

After I was matched with Dempsey, I started the My Service Dog Life Facebook page. Later, I also created an Instagram page. These platforms show what life is like from the perspective of a service dog. I wanted to give people a glimpse into the reality of having a service dog. It’s not just the independence they bring. It’s also the bond that forms between handler and dog.

Comanche: The Best Horse My Family Ever Owned

Horses were also a big part of my childhood. For many years, they weren’t just part of my life. They were my freedom. I rode one of the best horses my family ever owned, Comanche. My family and I were members of the Shamrock Hest Riding Club. We would have horse shows where I would compete in barrel racing, pole weaving, and hangman with my dad.

We were never the fastest, never destined for the big leagues of horse racing. It was all about the fun and the bond we shared—something few truly understood. He knew we were different, that we didn’t need speed to enjoy our time together. Riding with him made me feel free, like I was just like anyone else. He had this way of making me forget my physical limitations, even if just for a little while. When we were together, it felt like nothing could hold me back. Those moments will always hold a special place in my heart.

Love for the Outdoors

Most of our riding adventures took place in county and state parks. My family and I would take the horses on trails there. And when we rode, we camped.

I didn’t fully appreciate the effort my parents put into making those trips happen at the time. But looking back, I realize how much work went into ensuring that I could be part of it.

Now, I love camping. In 2025, I plan to take my first solo camping trip, a milestone I’m excited to tackle.

Growing up in a rural area with a disability shaped my perspective. This experience later influenced my work as a disability advocate.

Career and Life Path

Education Journey

After high school, I pursued an associate degree in website and multimedia design at Ridgewater College. At that time, I wanted to move to a bigger city. I was eager to follow my dream of becoming a website designer. I knew even then that the big city was where I was going to find the most accessibility.

However, my parents were uneasy about me being so far from home. Ridgewater was a good compromise, giving me the opportunity to gain independence while working toward my goals.

While studying design, I discovered a passion for education, influenced by my grandmother, Jonnette, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Living in a senior high-rise building also shaped my interest in teaching. The elementary school behind our building brought a first-grade class over once a month to do activities with the residents. I loved spending time with the children, and that experience made me realize I could see myself as a teacher.

With this newfound passion, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Augsburg University. Unfortunately, I graduated in the winter of 2008, right as the economy was taking a downturn, making teaching jobs scarce.

Changing Career Path

I loved working with kids. However, financial stability was my priority. So, I took on temp jobs before landing a position at Best Buy’s Mall of America location in 2009.

I worked at Best Buy until the summer of 2018, gaining valuable experience in customer service, operations, and teamwork. After leaving Best Buy, I took some time off to reflect on what I wanted to do next.

In 2021, I met Amy B., a personal trainer specializing in inclusive fitness. She created Fit with Amy B to provide training for people of all abilities. I improved my own health through her program. She also brought me on to help behind the scenes making everything ran smoothly.

I truly loved what I did for Amy. I have yet to find another job that offered the same level of flexibility. It also provided fulfillment.

While my career path has taken different directions, my passion as a disability advocate has remained constant.

My Journey to Disability Advocate

Early Advocacy

I wasn’t always an advocate. My journey into advocacy started when I was in college at Augsburg. I got involved with the campus LGBT group, where we worked to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. One of our biggest events each year was the annual drag show, featuring drag queens from the Gay 90’s. It was one of the most well-attended events on campus, second only to graduation.

We also worked to raise awareness through tabling on important dates for the LGBTQ+ community, like National Coming Out Day. Being part of this group sparked something in me—the realization that advocacy could create real change.

Through this work, I built lifelong friendships. I developed a deeper understanding of what it means to create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

AccessiLoons: Soccer for Every Body

That passion for inclusion eventually extended beyond LGBTQ+ advocacy and into accessibility. In 2021, I co-founded AccessiLoons, the first and only Minnesota United FC supporter group focused solely on accessibility and inclusion.

AccessiLoons was founded by three dedicated MNUFC fans with varied disabilities. Their goal is to ensure every supporter, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of soccer without barriers.

Our mission is to raise awareness about accessibility. This effort extends beyond just the stands. We aim to influence supporter group culture, club operations, and the broader soccer community.

I also help manage the AccessiLoons website. I work alongside my co-founders to provide valuable information. We advocate for better accessibility at matches and connect with fans who may need additional support.

Through my work with AccessiLoons, I continue my mission as a disability advocate. I ensure that all fans have an equal place in the game.

Finding the Next Chapter

After returning to work at the ticket office following the COVID-19 restrictions, I noticed a dramatic reduction in available hours. The push toward digital ticketing had started before the pandemic but accelerated rapidly upon our return.

For a while, I was content working part-time hours, but eventually, reality caught up with me. The stimulus checks that had helped during the pandemic were long gone, and I found myself in a financial hole.

The limited hours I receive at the ticket office and Social Security are not enough. I’ve been actively searching for full-time work. I’ve had several solid interviews. However, nothing has materialized into a full-time position.

While I’m still checking job listings, I’ve decided to focus my energy on this project—Wheels On Down the Road. Who knows? Maybe it will lead to something down the road.

As I navigate this transition, I continue my work as a disability advocate, using this platform to amplify important conversations.

Why I Started This Blog

The Decline of Open Conversations

Social media used to be a place for discussion and connection. Over time, I’ve noticed how difficult it has become to have open and honest conversations. This is especially true when your viewpoint differs from the mainstream. More and more, people are stuck in ideological “silos,” only engaging with perspectives that align with their own.

A Time When We Could Talk

I come from a time and place where we could talk about anything with our friends and family. We discussed politics, life, and personal struggles without fear of being shut down. We might not have always agreed, but we could at least have the conversation. Today, that kind of dialogue is rare, and I feel like we’ve lost something valuable because of it.

Creating a Space for Real Discussions

This blog is my way of bringing that back, even if only on a small scale. I want Wheels On Down the Road to be a place for discussing real topics. This includes the ones that might feel uncomfortable or challenging. My goal isn’t to change minds or tell people what to think. Instead, I aim to create a space where different perspectives can be shared with respect and understanding.

This blog is an extension of my journey as a disability advocate. It provides a space where people can engage in meaningful discussions. They can also share diverse perspectives.

Keep in Touch

If you have an idea for a blog post, let me know! Are you also a disability advocate? You might even be interested in contributing. Wheels On Down the Road is about creating a space where people can share their own voices and viewpoints. I welcome different perspectives.

📩 Email: levi@wheelsondown.com
🌐 Website Contact Form: Click Here

💬 Social Media:

🐶 Service Dog Social Media:
My Service Dog Life – Facebook
@myservicedoglife18 – Instagram

Until next time—keep rolling, keep exploring, and keep speaking your truth.

Take care,
Levi