A couple weekends ago, Tanelle Bolt did something she hasnB次元官网网址檛 done in a long time.
While attending the Saunders Family FoundationB次元官网网址檚 annual golf tournament in the Cowichan Valley, Bolt, who is a paraplegic, was able to stand and look someone in the eye as she was having a conversation with them.
B次元官网网址淚 was standing up in front of a group of people, which is an experience I havenB次元官网网址檛 had since my injury happened,B次元官网网址� said Bolt, a former West Shore resident, who currently lives in the East Kootenays.
The experience was made possible thanks to the help of some new equipment. The paramobile or paragolfer is an electric mobility device that raises people into a standing position and was specifically designed to allow a more conventional golf swing, but can also be used in a variety of ways outdoors.
Bolt is the founder of the RAD Recreation Adaptive Society, a Victoria-based non-profit society aiming to make outdoor recreation possible for people living with limited mobility B次元官网网址� one of those ways includes the paramobile.
In recent months, Bolt has been pushing for golf courses throughout the province, including those on the West Shore, to carry a paramobile for rent and to provide accessibility to all. She is currently in talks with golf courses in Invermere to bring units to that region.
In her perfect world she would like to see Highlands Pacific, Olympic View, Cedar Hill and Cordova Bay golf courses offer two units that golfers with limited mobility could rent and share between venues.
B次元官网网址淚 want to spread the word about adaptive outdoor recreation. The paramobile is just one piece of equipment in the story of the RAD Society,B次元官网网址� Bolt said.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 working on re-fabricating an one-armed paddle device. IB次元官网网址檝e got sit skis, water skis and would love to have camper trailers just so people with mobility issues can experience the beautiful outdoors of British Columbia.B次元官网网址�
It was four years ago when BoltB次元官网网址檚 life changed forever. In August 2014 while camping in Port Renfrew, she jumped feet first from a 60-foot bridge into a river and upon impact with the water fractured her T6 vertebra. The accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Despite the injury, Bolt always remained hopeful that she would one day be able to continue her passion for outdoor activities.
After attending the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, she started looking for equipment that would help her ski and surf again. But itB次元官网网址檚 been difficult as there is a distinct lack of equipment and resources available to independent individuals living with mobility issues, she said.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 why as soon as Bolt found out about the paramobile from a friend two years ago, she had to have one. But getting a paramobile hasnB次元官网网址檛 been easy. For the last 13 months, she has been trying to get her hands on the German-made unit that she describes as B次元官网网址渧ery transportable.B次元官网网址� In November, she eventually hopped into her car and drove to California to pick up her paramobile.
And she hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked back since. The paramobile, which is strong enough to hold a man in the standing position and can also be transported by a variety of vehicles, also allows Bolt to stand while at the gym and during another activities.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a trike set up, so itB次元官网网址檚 not a four-wheel device, which gives you the ability to pivot in a circle. So basically you can spin around in a circle sitting still,B次元官网网址� Bolt said.
B次元官网网址淭his is something that lends to independent living as somebody with mobility issues quite nicely.B次元官网网址�
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