Scott was born and raised in Victoria and graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in social work in 1987. He joined Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) when it was still known as the BC Paraplegic Association (BCPA) in December 1988.
For over 35 years, he has counselled individuals and families of those who have experienced traumatic spinal cord injuries, as well as people with other physical disabilities throughout Victoria and South Vancouver Island. Scott’s investment in the well-being of those who reach out to him is apparent in each and every conversation and phone call.
“I feel like my role is a bridge between the individual and the community. I can help explain things that health professionals may not have the time to describe in-depth. When I’m working with someone who is newly injured, my role is to come alongside and help them become as independent and self-sufficient as possible. It’s really a matter of being there to provide a scaffold of support as long as it’s required, and being there again if it’s needed down the line.”
Scott’s broad shoulders betray a 20-year obsession with wheelchair sports. Since 1984 he has participated in volleyball, basketball, athletics (javelin, shot-put, and discus), weight lifting and racquetball. He was a five-time provincial champion in field events when he retired to focus on his favourite sport, racquetball.
Scott went on to take top spot in the National ‘B’ division in wheelchair racquetball in 1990. Due to a neck injury, he left Racquetball in 1994 holding 7th place in the National ‘A’ rankings, only to return in 1997 to take 3rd place in the National Racquetball Championships. He is now retired from competitive wheelchair sports but continues to enjoy hand-cycling and fishing with his children and grandchildren.
Scott has four children: Nikita, married to David (with 8 Grandchildren, Liam and Lucas, Macie Faith, Liana Joy, Arianna Grace, Benjamin and Zachary, and Declan), Mikayla, Breanna, and Joshua. Scott also served as a foster parent for over 12 years and fostered more than 40 children over that time.
