At 22, I had my whole life ahead of me, but when I found myself in a wheelchair, it was a far cry from what I had in mind for my future. I had to change my plans and see what life had to offer me with my new condition. Today, I realize how many great opportunities life has given me and how I’ve been able to take advantage of them. I’m proud of where I am today, and I’d like to share with you a glimpse of my journey.
MY CHILDHOOD
As a child, I was a ball of energy. At the age of four, my mother put me in gymnastics classes, but I was always climbing where I was not supposed to. Over the years, this sport became a real passion, and then a way of life for my three years of high school in sport-studies. I even made it my first profession, coaching for a few years.
SNOWBOARDING
When I was a teenager, snowboarding came into my life. It was a new sport that gave me an incredible sense of freedom. It was a sport where everyone encouraged each other and where I really felt like myself. At the time, I had no idea how much this sport would change my life!
When I entered college, I gave up gymnastics to devote myself full-time to my studies in graphic design and my snowboarding. Soon, my whole life began to evolve around this new passion: my circle of friends, my hobbies, my projects.
After my first summer in Whistler, I landed sponsors and was slowly making my way into competitions. When I graduated, I moved to Whistler for good, with my boyfriend Éric, with the goal of becoming a professional snowboard athlete. Shortly afterwards, I landed a graphic design contract with the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which allowed me to explore all facets of my profession and launch my career with Metamorfic! I had everything to be happy!
THE ACCIDENT
At the end of my first winter in Whistler, I headed to the US Open, one of the most influential competitions in the sport at the time. With determination, I put in one of my best performances ever, which earned me 2nd place in pre-qualifying. The next day, I made it to the qualifiers with the professionals! It was the best day of my life!
Despite a fall on my first run, I knew I still had a chance. So I set off on my second run with confidence. Everything was going well until I fell again, but this time I couldn’t get up, I couldn’t feel my lower body. When the paramedic asked me if I could feel my feet, I knew something serious had happened.
I was flown by helicopter to hospital, where I underwent a seven-hour operation. Metal rods were used to fix my spine, as I had damaged my vertebrae at D5-D-6. After the operation, the news of my paraplegia came as no surprise. I knew it at the time of my fall. From then on, my whole life would change, but one thing was certain: I would return to continue my life in Whistler with Éric.
REHABILITATION
A week after my operation, I was transferred to Quebec to begin my rehabilitation. Éric was there every day to be with me through this ordeal, and the support of my family and friends gave me added strength.
The athlete in me quickly saw this situation as a new challenge. To the staff’s surprise, I had already grieved and was ready to move on. Thanks to my gymnastics background, I quickly learned how to make my transfers. After walking on my hands for so many years, it was easy for me to move around using my arms!
After three months, I was on the plane to Whistler. My Festival contract was waiting for me, and Éric had left to move our stuff into a new, accessible apartment.
BACK TO WHISTLER
When I arrived in Whistler, I quickly felt the support of the community. A fund-raising campaign was organized to provide me with adapted ski equipment and enable me to return to the mountain. For their part, the Festival team set up my workstation at home to ease my transition. So I was able to get back to work quickly.
I soon got back into sport. The first summer, I swam and rode an adapted mountain bike. In winter, I started adaptive skiing with my instructor, Chris, who would become a good friend. He would also arrange my first bungee jump!
I made several visits to the Vancouver Rehabilitation Centre to monitor my condition and get my first permanent wheelchair. I also learned to walk with Canadian braces and crutches.
My boyfriend and I spent three more wonderful years enjoying this little corner of paradise. My company, Metamorfic, quickly saw its clientele grow thanks to my initial contract with the Festival. It was an incredible experience that gave me the chance to try out every aspect of my profession, while learning English at the same time!
BACK TO QUEBEC
In 2004, the time had come to return home to family and friends. So we drove across Canada to settle in Quebec City. I continued to develop my business and quickly rebuilt a clientele here.
I also do photography and painting professionally. I offer my photo services to my Metamorfic clientele for projects accessible to my condition, and my paintings are for sale here on my website.
The athlete in me has led me to equip myself for different sports in addition to downhill skiing. From road biking to cross-country skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, paddleboarding and, most recently, skating with an adapted field hockey sled.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve become increasingly involved in improving accessibility at various levels, while being a proud ambassador for Sunrise Medical, a Canadian distributor of Quickie and RGK wheelchairs.
With the help of a kinesiologist friend, we built Be Wheeling, a website with training videos for people with reduced mobility. I also set up an adapted paddleboard club in Quebec City with the help of 3 health professionals. This project was taken over by Adaptavie, and allows people with reduced mobility to get out on the water once a week with the help of wonderful volunteers!
I still have lots of other projects, and I’m continuing to explore everything life has to offer to challenge myself and get involved in improving accessibility!