I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, a 20 year old with a burning desire to accomplish at least six stupid things per day. Mountain biking, scrambling, caving and snowboarding allowed me to do just that.

When I broke my back (T8), in a big air competition at Sunshine Village, few could say they were shocked, some were kicking themselves for not taking out insurance on me earlier. From the second I hit that icy patch of snow, I knew that I was never going to walk again. What I was going to be able to do I had no clue.

Here is the video of my injury. It isn't too gross (no screaming, no bleeding, no suffering face, ...), but it can be a bit shocking to realize how fast accident happens. It's up to you to watch or not... but I aroused your interest, didn't I?       Click picture to play video 1.08Mb

Soon after my injury, it occurred to me that in order to accomplish the things I wanted to do (like ski, climb, golf etc...), I was going to be heavily reliant on technology and innovation. Now don't get me wrong, I was supported by family and friends that are second to none, but when your ass is sat upon four wheels and a seat, in my opinion the only way to what you want in life is to A) learn to use those four wheels like Tony Hawk rides a skateboard and B) think of how you can make those four wheels and a seat better.

Being trained as a machinist, I set out to make my first chair about a year after my accident. Two days before I left for a solo trip to Australia, my friends and I finished my chair. It came back in one piece, it worked and it was good (rusty as hell, but good). This is when I got the bug to make things better. I started to travel a bit with wheelchair racing as a motivator and met a ton of interesting and inspirational people. People that didn't let anything stand in their way. Some had started wheelchair racing when a "souped up" hospital chair was the norm. This taught me that there really are no excuses if you want to do something. It also taught me that if we don't drive our own technological advances, then no one will.

I've learned a ton from the other wheelies around me. If you pay attention to what's being accomplished in the disabled community (from amps to quads to the blind), there is no shortage of amazing things being accomplished daily. These amazing things are accessible to all of us. That is one of the major reasons for this site, to share the stories so we can all learn and inspire each other.

Now I'm still working my way back to those six stupid things per day. I'm not sure if I can actually regain the blissful ignorance that I enjoyed eight years ago. As a friend of mine always says "there's no use getting older unless you're getting wiser." One thing is for sure, I am going to strive to keep that window of opportunity open for myself and for my fellow crips.