Lori is well known in the community of Fort St. John as an advocate for accessibility and inclusivity for people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. She believes that everyone has a right to live the best quality of life possible and that wheelchairs do not define who people are.
Lori was born with Spina Bifida and started using a wheelchair in 2005, at the age of 48. She has been an ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation, organized Wheels in Motion events, chairs the Mayor’s Disability Advisory Committee in Fort St. John and is an SCI BC Peer Program Coordinator who organizes get-togethers and facilitates the exchange of stories and learning.
Lori’s mantra is that it doesn’t matter where we are in life, it’s how we deal with our situation that counts. As a Peer Program Coordinator, Lori shares her philosophy with newly injured people and those who have been injured for as long as 35 years, and she’s humbled that people can open up to her as they do.
“Being able to give my undivided attention in each unique one-to-one conversation helps people open up. I love doing this because together we’re problem-solving, supporting and learning from each other. At the end of the day, I can know I’ve helped someone improve their quality of life – which is different for everyone.”
Lori is married, with two grown daughters and five grandchildren. She loves traveling to warmer climates, snorkeling, and playing in warm crystal blue waters. When she’s home, Lori loves water tubing in the summer and playing ‘popcorn’ on the trampoline with her grandchildren.
Find connection, share knowledge and have fun through our Peer Program.
