What are you most looking forward to this summer? Maybe it’s pitching a tent and sleeping under the stars, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and quality time with family and friends by the lake.
But what if you have a spinal cord injury? Camping is meant to be fun, yet spending a night outdoors can seem daunting and almost impossible for someone with a physical disability. Just ask Catherine. It took many years for this adventurous grandmother from Victoria to get back to the activity she loves.
It all started 15 years ago when Catherine’s legs suddenly stopped working. An emergency trip to the hospital brought scary news. Tests showed that Catherine had suffered a spinal stroke. She was only 52 at the time.
A year later Catherine had regained some strength and was using a walker to get around. Then tragedy struck again. This time a car accident changed her life forever. “The impact of the crash shook my whole being and everything was gone again. I couldn’t feel the bottom half of my body. I was terrified.” In that instant Catherine was paralyzed from the waist down.
A spinal cord injury is devastating. It affects every aspect of daily life and the lives of loved ones. But you can make a difference. Your gift helps people overcome the challenges of living with a physical disability.
It was a difficult time for Catherine, her husband Willard and the rest of the family. She had to relearn many of the tasks that most of us take for granted. Simple things like getting dressed in the morning. Catherine also had to give up the job she loved. She worked with young children at an elementary school but found it too hard to continue from her wheelchair. And Catherine feared that she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the outdoors in the same way she always had.
We hear concerns like this all too often. Coming to terms with a spinal cord injury can be a long journey. But with your generosity, we provide the answers, peer connections and activities that help people adjust to a new way of life.
Back home in Victoria, Catherine is a regular at our monthly Women’s “Bean There” coffee support group. It’s not just about having a good cup of coffee. It’s about being with other women who understand because they have travelled a similar path. “You get ideas and advice on things that trouble you. We learn from each other by just talking. You can talk to the group about anything. Sensitive issues. Anything. The group is so helpful.”
This is the power of peer support! Our programs bring people together. It’s a chance to meet others, swap stories, share tips and tricks, laugh, sometimes cry, and ultimately learn about life with a spinal cord injury.
Catherine was excited to hear about our “Learn to Camp” event from the women in the coffee group. Camping had been a big part of her life growing up and then with her own kids every summer. But Catherine hadn’t been camping in the 15 years since her stroke. She didn’t think it would be possible.
So Catherine jumped at the opportunity. She signed up for our overnight camping adventure last summer and brought Willard and two of her young grandkids along. It was a fun weekend spent outdoors. Participants learned how to set up camp, tried adapted kayaking and trail riding, played trivia games, bonded over shared meals, roasted marshmallows, and discovered what is possible with a spinal cord injury.
“It was a wonderful experience for all of us. And particularly meaningful for me. It showed that I can still do this. I mean there are some challenges with my wheelchair, but it can be done. It’s such a joy to know that I don’t have to give up my passion for camping. And the grandkids had a blast. We all went kayaking and trail riding together. And, of course, the s’mores were a big hit. I will definitely be back.”
The “Learn to Camp” weekend is just one of our many peer events. We host activities all over the province throughout the year. There is something for everyone – summer barbeques, pizza and games nights, fishing from an accessible pier, outings in the local community, holiday celebrations, adapted skiing, and so much more. People come away with increased confidence, new friendships and the realization that life can be full again after a spinal cord injury. And it’s your financial support that makes all this possible.
Catherine has now caught the travel bug. She and Willard hope to get a motorhome soon. It will mean more outdoor adventures, camping and family time. Even so, Catherine knows that it is a long road to accepting life in a wheelchair. She admits that she still struggles at times. “I get so frustrated. You think it would be gone by now. But 15 years later, it’s still there. The women’s group and the peer events certainly help. I can count on them to lift the spirits for sure.”
And we hope we can count on your continued generosity. The busy summer months ahead often result in many new injury cases. We need to be ready to help everyone who needs us. Please send your tax-deductible donation today. You will be helping people with a spinal cord injury adjust, adapt and thrive. Thank you. Have a fun and safe summer!
With thanks,
Ed Milligan
Chair, SCI BC Board of Directors
