New all-terrain wheelchair making P.E.I. trails and beaches accessible

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Earlier than an accident that may change his life without end, Alan Stanley discovered consolation within the nice outside.

“I used to be extraordinarily energetic – kayak teacher, scuba diving teacher, mountain biker, highway biker, hiker. I used to be exterior having fun with the nice outside, at any time when and wherever attainable,” Stanley informed SaltWire Community in an interview.

That was till a bicycle crash seven years in the past rendered him paraplegic, which means he’s paralyzed from the chest down. Having misplaced using his legs, many actions he beloved have been merely off the desk. Stanley, who lives in Charlottetown, was left counting on the assistance of occupational and physiotherapists to get accustomed to his new way of life.

“The primary yr or two, you actually spend studying easy methods to stay your life. However then you definitely get to the purpose that you just need to resume a few of your actions; you need to get again into a number of the locations you’ve been earlier than,” stated Stanley, who’s the group outreach co-ordinator for Spinal Twine Harm P.E.I.

For Stanley, this meant getting again into nature, again into the wilderness and again to the energetic life-style he had left behind.

“There (are) components of the world, large components of the world which are utterly inaccessible to any person with mobility challenges,” he stated. “A wheelchair is designed to be very agile and quick, so it’s like a highway bike. You possibly can’t take a highway bike on the seashore.”

All-terrain entry

That’s the place a brand new wheelchair provided by Parasport P.E.I. turns out to be useful.

The hippocampe all-terrain wheelchair is a specialised chair that may be moved simply by means of robust environments. The chair may be outfitted with numerous equipment, together with giant balloon wheels for straightforward journey by means of comfortable sand or skies for safely crossing snow and ice.

With the assistance of funding from the Division of Well being and Wellness, Recreation P.E.I. had set out on a undertaking to map the Island trails in the summertime of 2021. This funding got here with further sources for programming. Recreation P.E.I. government director Valerie Vuillemot stated that buying a hippocampe wheelchair, which prices $8,000, appeared like the proper use of that funding.

“We simply thought, when it comes to programming {dollars} which are directed in the direction of individuals who possibly aren’t energetic on the paths, we thought that was a lacking piece,” Vuillemot stated.

The chair might be accessible by means of Parasport and Recreation P.E.I.’s gear mortgage program. This system offers free gear entry for members, eliminating monetary obstacles. It provides everybody the prospect to expertise the advantages of the sort of specialised gear.

“We simply needed to be sure that individuals who haven’t got the chance proper now or have a barrier to getting out extra and into a few of these wilder locations that we’ve on P.E.I., that this would possibly assist them get to a spot they haven’t been capable of get to earlier than,” Vuillemot stated.

“Being exterior, within the woods and on the paths and the seashores, it’s so vital on your bodily well being, and it’s vital on your psychological well being. We simply needed to verify we may take away a barrier if we may.”

“This lets folks get out and see components of the Island they wouldn’t be capable to see in any other case and permits them to take part and turn into full members of the group.”

Alan Stanley

Rejoining the group

Whereas Stanley has discovered to adapt to his limitations, there are nonetheless a couple of issues for him which are nearly off-limits now. Getting access to an all-terrain wheelchair implies that Islanders with a incapacity, like Stanley, can shrink the record of locations they can’t go to or actions they should keep away from. Greater than that, although, it can permit them to really feel like they will safely rejoin their communities.

“All your associates are going out within the subject for a picnic; you (often) can’t go. It is a approach of permitting folks to take part,” Stanley stated. “We’ve acquired a gorgeous island right here and a giant outside. This lets folks get out and see components of the Island they wouldn’t be capable to see in any other case and permits them to take part and turn into full members of the group.”

Getting access to parasport gear, such because the hippocampe wheelchair, makes a world of distinction for individuals who battle to do issues that many on the Island would possibly take without any consideration.

“We’re doing all the things we will to be sure that all people can take part to the utmost of their very own potential,” Stanley stated. “That is simply one other arrow for the quiver.”