Don’t you just love this time of year? There are so many fun things to do in the summer. Like dipping your toes in a warm lake, long bike rides in the fresh air and pitching a tent to sleep under the stars.
But what if you have a spinal cord injury? It’s not always easy to get outside and enjoy the sunny weather. Just ask Diane.
Three and a half years ago the 59-year-old woman’s life suddenly changed forever. It happened on the long weekend in October. Diane and her partner wanted to squeeze in one more camping trip and headed to the Island on their motorcycle. The couple camped at Qualicum Beach before starting the trek back home to Kamloops.
The motorbike accident seemed harmless enough at first. Diane inadvertently hit a tree at slow speed. Her partner simply rolled off and jumped up after the impact. But Diane landed awkwardly. She was seriously injured with a broken back. Diane was now paralyzed and faced a difficult journey.
We know that 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. Thanks to your generosity, we bring people together and provide the answers that make living with a physical disability a little easier.
Diane spent the next two months in Vancouver doing rehab. She had to relearn simple tasks that most of us take for granted. And Diane had to figure out how to deal with this unexpected challenge in her life. Would she be able to stay in her home? What about her job as a lab technologist at the local hospital? Would she be able to drive again and be independent?
Those first few days, weeks and even months after an injury can be a scary time. But Diane’s positive spirit pulled her through. She remembers arriving at the rehab centre and being blown away by three of the patients on the very first day. The young men were laughing and doing wheelies down the hallway in their wheelchairs. Diane says, “Seeing them gave me hope. You need to be around others who are injured to realize that your life is not over. That you can function. That you can go back to work. That you can enjoy life again.”
This is the power of peer support! We host events across the province that bring people together. It’s an opportunity to meet others, share tips and tricks, laugh, sometimes cry, and ultimately learn about life with a spinal cord injury. And it’s your donation that makes all this possible.
Back home in Kamloops, Diane was happy to discover that we offer peer activities in her area. Less than a year after her injury, this adventurous lady eagerly signed up for our popular adaptive recreation weekend at Whistler. It was a chance to unwind in the great outdoors, build friendships, try new activities, and just feel good again.
“I was physically active before the accident. The Whistler event helped me regain some of that. The whole weekend was an incredible experience! I went kayaking and paddleboarding. I also did yoga which was such a joy. I learned that it’s important for my mental well-being to get outside and do things. It may not look exactly the same as before, but with some adaptations I can still enjoy the water with family and friends. And it feels so good to be included.”
The Whistler weekend is just one of our many peer events. There is something for everyone. Diane laughs that her bowling skills haven’t improved much since she first came out to our social bowling nights. That’s okay. It’s more about getting together and having fun. Diane is also a regular at our monthly coffee support group sessions. It’s an opportunity to learn what works for others. She appreciates that nothing is off limits during the discussions – pressure sores, bowel and bladder concerns, medical treatments, anything.
Your financial support is what allows us to put on these activities that help people thrive. Participants come away with increased confidence, new friendships and the realization that life can be full again after a spinal cord injury.
It has been almost four years since Diane’s journey began and she is finally feeling settled. Renovations to make her home accessible are complete. She drives a van using hand controls. And Diane is back working as a lab technologist at the hospital. It’s a job she loves.
Even so, Diane knows that getting older with a spinal cord injury will bring new challenges. She has already broken her tibia after a minor fall and worries how fragile her bones are. And shoulder pain is always a big concern for many long-time wheelchair users. But whatever this new life throws at her, Diane knows she can count on our peer connections for any kind of advice and support. That’s comforting.
For now, Diane can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the sunny weather. She plans to go camping with her little one-year-old poodle who loves being on the lake as much as she does. They are a perfect pair!
And Diane hopes you will continue your generosity. The coming months are a critical time. Many new injuries occur in the summer as people head outdoors. Diane doesn’t want anyone to feel scared, lonely or isolated when the unthinkable happens. Please send your tax-deductible gift today. Thank you for helping people with a spinal cord injury thrive in their new lives.
With thanks,
Ed Milligan
Chair, SCI BC Board of Directors
