Cade Martin Meets the Wheelchair Mafia - A Story of Adventure, Curiosity and Grit

Adventure has always been Cade Martin’s compass. While hopping trains in India and photographing for National Geographic, he learned to embrace the unknown, to stay open for what’s next, and always to be ready for the story around the corner. That spirit of curiosity has carried him across the globe, driven by the chance to meet people and discover what lies just beyond our comfort zones. For Cade, photography has never been just a profession but a passport to places, people, and experiences.

Most recently, that spirit led him and his family to Thailand, where they connected with The Man That Rescues Dogs, a nonprofit caring for hundreds of stray and disabled dogs. What began as a scroll-stopping Instagram discovery turned into an unforgettable encounter with grit, resilience, and joy. Alongside his wife and two sons, Cade spent time with the soon-to-be-famous “Wheelchair Mafia,” 44 dogs outfitted with custom wheelchairs that allow them to run with renewed freedom. Through his photography, he now shares the foundation’s work and hopes to inspire others to help keep the wheels spinning.

Photography has taken you all over the world. What keeps you picking up the camera?

Adventure is what keeps me picking up the camera. Photography has always been more than a profession, it’s my passport. From the moment I looked through the viewfinder, I was hooked. Maybe it’s not photography itself I love so much as the crawling around, the act of making an image. Maybe it’s always been the adventure behind it all.

How did you first hear about The Wheelchair Mafia and The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation?

Instagram stopped me mid-scroll when the Wheelchair Mafia appeared in my feed. Dogs in wheelchairs flying down the road. I was hooked. I knew I had to go.

Why was it important to make this a family affair?

This project wasn’t just mine, it was ours. My wife and our two sons came with me. It became a shared journey, unforgettable. It was hot, fast-moving, and full of hurdles, but watching my sons navigate a new culture with interest and hustle reminded me that grit isn’t just something you carry, it’s something you can pass on.

Can you describe your first impression of the Wheelchair Mafia?

Pure electricity. These dogs don’t shuffle, they fly. Wheels spin, and you see them run, run, and run. Forty-four of them, each outfitted with custom wheelchairs, racing with a kind of joy that stops you in your tracks.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you capture that sense of flight and freedom?

Keeping up. These dogs are fast, and their energy and competitive nature don’t wait for you to frame the perfect shot. I leaned into motion, blur, ears flying. I wanted everything to feel like you were right there with them.

What do you hope audiences feel when they see this work?

Uplifted. Inspired. These dogs radiate resilience and freedom. I hope people see possibility, and feel moved to help keep the wheels spinning.

The foundation operates without corporate sponsors. How do you see your photography helping to raise awareness or support for them?

Every meal, every set of wheels, every act of care is fueled by people choosing to give. If this project can spark even a few more believers, then it’s doing its job. As Bob Dylan said, “He not busy being born is busy dying.” To me, this work is about staying open, staying alive, and helping others do the same.

We came to capture movement.

We left moved.

Help keep the wheels spinning.

Donate: tmtrd.org