From Leg to Scooter Power

By Nancy Chamberlayne

A pair of strong, agile legs has propelled me along mountain slopes, forest valleys and rocky beaches. My husband and I have hiked and backpacked through incredibly beautiful areas of British Columbia.

When multiple sclerosis surfaced in my life, in 1987, I had to find creative ways to access and enjoy the outdoors. I am a very determined person! I knew that there had to be a way to experience the mountains, meadows and marine environment again.

In 1989 my husband and I helicoptered into Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, where two of our good friends were the rangers. There, it took me an hour to walk a kilometre, due to poor leg strength and coordination. After that, the guys said they would take me anywhere in a park wheelbarrow.

With a big grin, I rode the alpine paths in a wheelbarrow, which was thoughtfully draped with a foam pad. I was only ejected once, when the tire hit a root on the path. I was delighted as I landed on my feet without performing a "face plant." For me, with my poor balance, this was a miracle.

Now I have discovered the electric, four-wheeled "scooter," which gets me out in the bush and is more comfortable than a wheelbarrow. I have bounced over the Caribou turf, dodging cow pies and picked huckleberries at a subalpine lake. The fun continued as I cruised the lush coastal rain forest trails of Vancouver’s Provincial Parks and watched the surf, seals, gulls and eagles play.

Recent adventures have expanded my scooter escapades to Alberta. I have scooted among the dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

I give my scooter a good workout! Not only am I able to relish the outdoors again but I scooter-jog our five-year-old golden retriever and take romantic scooter strolls with my husband. Freedom is mine!

-- NANCY CHAMBERLAYNE
PARKSVILLE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Send your tips, tricks or coping methods (300 words) to: FYI, Canadian Abilities Foundation, 489 College St., Ste. 501, Toronto, ON, M6G 1A5.

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