Times Colonist
Jeff Scott plays rugby, bungee jumps and even skis in a wheelchair, but it’s the little things, such as having a reliable vehicle, that can play on his mind.
“Being able to get around, to rugby and for groceries, in something that doesn’t break down would be nice,” said Scott, 28, who is quadriplegic. “It’s just liberating.”
On Thursday, Scott was presented with a new customized Dodge Caravan from the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association at Shopper’s Home Care on Hillside Avenue after being chosen as one of three local heroes — and the only Canadian — in a North American contest.
“We’re trying to raise awareness about mobility in a positive way,” said Dave Hubbard, CEO and executive director of the association. He said when most people get in an accident or get older and need mobility help, they don’t know what’s out there and where to go.
“You can’t just go to a lot and come away with a car. It takes time and knowledge to put it together,” he said. Scott’s new van is customized by Braun and has a Drivemaster steering system. It would cost around $80,000.
Scott won the van by posting his story on the association’s contest website, which used a public vote and judging panel to pick the winners.
In 2010, Scott was living in Revelstoke. He had just bought a house, worked at the avalanche centre, fought forest fires and spent as much time on the mountain snowboarding as he could.
“I was on top of the world and felt untouchable,” he wrote.
That spring, he had a snowboard accident that fractured two vertebrae and sent him into a year and a half of surgeries, rehabilitation and a new life using a wheelchair. As soon as he could, he decided to test his new limitations with an adventure and set off on a road trip across Canada.
“Everything that could have gone wrong did,” said Scott’s mother, Connie, who came from Burns Lake with his dad and sister for the van presentation. Scott’s van and power wheelchair broke down, and he got sick on the trip. But he did it. “He was learning how to cope and prove that he could do it. ... He’s an amazing human being. He showed us the way many times and has touched so many others.”
Scott’s cross-country adventure inspired the Live It Love It Foundation, which he started nearly three years ago with friends. The non-profit inspires others to engage in adventures they can adapt to their physical disabilities — be it rock-climbing, hand-cycling, kayaking, sit-skiing or surfing. They run adventure camps with activities and motivational speakers.
“We help kids go to the edge of their comfort zones but with calculated risks,” Scott said.
“We also try to incorporate experienced athletes and adventurers to show what can be done.”
These include gold-medal Paralympian skier Josh Dueck, a director of the foundation, and Scott himself — who plays wheelchair rugby at the local and provincial levels.
