Tagen Marshall is a remarkable young man.
This should hardly come as a revelation to anyone who knows him. It took all of about 30 seconds into a recent 45-minute conversation for me to check the B次元官网网址榳ow, definitely inspirationalB次元官网网址� box on my scorecard.
MarshallB次元官网网址檚 zest for life is infectious, his intellect revelatory and his potential boundless. His positivity in the face of adversity should be a lesson to us all. And now, he could use a little help achieving his dreams.
First, a little background.
Marshall, a Parksville resident, is a student at VIU, studying philosophy with a goal of completing a doctorate and becoming a teacher. He also has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which requires 24/7 care.
B次元官网网址淚 want to be as independent as I can and to support myself as much as IB次元官网网址檓 able,B次元官网网址� he said.
He was born at 26 weeks, weighing just more than two pounds. He didnB次元官网网址檛 leave the hospital until he was 2 陆 months old.
The cerebral palsy means his muscles will continue to tighten and contract his entire life, leaving him in constant pain.
Marshall noted while his parents did the best they could under the circumstances, he still required foster care.
When his foster mother remarried and moved to Alberta, he moved in full-time with the Berg family, who had been providing respite care.
B次元官网网址淟ast year after turning 19 and aging out of the foster care system, we did the paperwork so I could still live with them,B次元官网网址� Marshall explained. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 in a wheelchair full-time, but itB次元官网网址檚 not just my legs that donB次元官网网址檛 work. My right hand doesnB次元官网网址檛 work at all, and I only have a little bit of use in my left hand. They lift me out of bed every morning, bathe me, dress me, comb my hair and do physio with me so IB次元官网网址檓 not in as much pain. If I need a drink of water or a door opened, my caregivers do it for me. They make all my food, do my laundry, they drive me everywhere, and they listen when I need to talk.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the best parts is that they have four biological children, I am right in the middle age-wise, and we all get along really well. I feel like I have found a place that I can be forever if I like, though I struggle with the fear that itB次元官网网址檚 too good to last. ItB次元官网网址檚 getting easier not to be afraid, but I know this is something I will probably work on for the rest of my life.B次元官网网址�
Aging out of the childcare system means some government funding is not available, leaving Marshall and the Bergs in a bit of a bind.
A specialized van, retrofitted specifically for him, is B次元官网网址渙n its last legs.B次元官网网址� At a cost of approximately $75,000, a new van is the key to his independence. So he and the Bergs have set out to find a way to obtain one.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been involved in his life for seven or eight years now,B次元官网网址� said Lauren Berg. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a young man that has tremendous potential and needs right resources to help him, so weB次元官网网址檙e investigating whatB次元官网网址檚 the best way to go forward.B次元官网网址�
Last weekend, they met with a powerful ally B次元官网网址� Rick Hansen, known as the B次元官网网址楳an In MotionB次元官网网址� for his epic 26-month, 34 country, 40,000-kilometre wheelchair trip around the world to make the world inclusive for people with disabilities and to find a cure for paralysis.
Berg said Hansen is B次元官网网址減utting his support behind TagenB次元官网网址� in terms of wanting to help fundraise.
B次元官网网址淥ne of things he said was make sure all of the details are in place,B次元官网网址� said Berg. B次元官网网址淪upports, ability to respond to people, etc. WeB次元官网网址檙e not there yet but weB次元官网网址檙e working on it.B次元官网网址�
Marshall said meeting Hansen (virtually in COVID times) was a B次元官网网址減retty surreal experience.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 was trying not to fangirl you know,B次元官网网址� he said with a chuckle. B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檝e known about Rick for a long time, so it was fun to meet him virtually in the flesh, get some really great ideas and his support in this endeavour.B次元官网网址�
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Berg is clearly one of MarshallB次元官网网址檚 biggest boosters.
B次元官网网址淭agen is a charismatic, outgoing young man,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓verybody he connects with just kind of falls in love with him. He has such positive attitude and an infectious outlook on life. He has so much potential. He has a really bright mind, which has led him into places that most able-bodied young people donB次元官网网址檛 go. If heB次元官网网址檚 got the right resources and supports, there is no telling what he can do.B次元官网网址�
Berg said Marshall B次元官网网址渉as become very much part of this family.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the same feeling as any one of our four kids,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in this for the long haul.B次元官网网址�
An emotional Marshall concurred.
B次元官网网址淪ame,B次元官网网址� he said, his voice catching. B次元官网网址淭hey were there through some of the most difficult moments. When you go through the transition process to get all funding sorted, helping you navigate the journey from adolescence to adulthood, they do become your family. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to put into words.B次元官网网址�
Both Marshall and Berg noted the vast difference in terms of support for children in care as opposed to adults.
B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e under ministry care, they invest all they can to help,B次元官网网址� said Marshall. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a large investment. You go from that to nothing.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎s an adult, he needs to build a team of advocates around him,B次元官网网址� said Berg. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e gone through the tremendous challenge of trying to figure what is available to him and to advocate on his behalf. The usual path is going into a care home. We just couldnB次元官网网址檛 bear to see that happen. He wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have the ability to reach his potential.B次元官网网址�
With the use of adaptive technology, Marshall attends university.
B次元官网网址淏ecause I was in foster care for so long, the government pays for my education,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 do it otherwise. The muscles in my eyes are tightening, which makes reading really hard, so my text books are translated from print to voice. I use speech recognition software to write my papers and exams, and I have a scribe and care aide who attend university with me. In spite of my challenges, I have made the honour roll.B次元官网网址�
He said public speaking and connecting with people are some of his favourite things. He has become passionate about fighting human trafficking and has been interviewed on TV, radio and spoken to city councils about the issue. He is a co-host for B次元官网网址楾he Canadian Philosophy ShowB次元官网网址� that airs on CHLY radio, volunteers with the Federation of BC Youth in Care Network, which helps foster community for youth who are, or have been, in care. He is also the spiritual life co-ordinator for the menB次元官网网址檚 group at his church. He credits his faith for helping him through his B次元官网网址渄arkest moments.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 know if I have the right tools and help, I can achieve a lot,B次元官网网址� he said.
A new van is paramount. Public transportation is not an option in MarshallB次元官网网址檚 case, so he is fully reliant on the personal one-to-one transportation.
B次元官网网址淣o matter how hard I work, or how big my dreams are, I canB次元官网网址檛 succeed without a van,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 literally the only way I can leave home, unless IB次元官网网址檓 physically carried. I live on a small disability income and there is no way for me to purchase a new van myself. I want to be a productive, positive member of society. I want to be a giver and not a taker. I donB次元官网网址檛 like asking for help and I feel really badly asking. But I really do need help. With a van that gets me to the places I need to go, I know I can achieve my dreams and I know I will make a difference in the world.B次元官网网址�
As a B次元官网网址渧ery social guyB次元官网网址� he explained most of his goals involve building relationships, so he needs to be B次元官网网址渙ut in the world.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 want to invest in myself and my goalsB次元官网网址� working with community, kids in care, (battling) human trafficking. Anyone who knows me knows one of my biggest goals would be to have a family one day. Dating requires you to go places.B次元官网网址�
While admitting he has some days that are worse than others, Marshall refuses to do anything but look ahead and he offered advice for anyone else having their own struggles.
B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 give up hope,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淟ean into your support network, those people you have around who that can help navigate the logistics of finding support you need and also be a sounding board for whatever emotions you have. YouB次元官网网址檙e not alone. You are valuable. You have an impact on people. ThatB次元官网网址檚 powerful.B次元官网网址�
It certainly is.
Anyone wishing to assist in fundraising can email tufsheadquarters@gmail.com.
The B次元官网网址榯ufsB次元官网网址� stands for B次元官网网址楾he Universal Friend SocietyB次元官网网址�.
B次元官网网址淚 want to be everyoneB次元官网网址檚 friend,B次元官网网址� said Marshall with a chuckle.
I get the feeling heB次元官网网址檚 going to quickly add a lot more to his network.
PQB B次元官网网址/VI Free Daily editor Philip Wolf can be reached at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca, 250-905-0019 or on Twitter . For more news from Vancouver Island and beyond delivered daily into your inbox, please
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