djust, adapt, and thrive.

A spinal cord injury can happen to anyone at any time.

Whether someone is dealing with a new injury or struggling with the ongoing challenges of living and aging with a physical disability, we’re there to connect people with the Peer Support and Information Services they need. We’re the go-to resource for the SCI community in British Columbia and a national leader in the Peer Support model.

We know all about living with spinal cord injury, because we’ve been there, too.

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elonging.

offee and connections.

ata.

We always see people first. But the numbers show that spinal cord injury is on the rise.

vents large and small.

Friends old and new.

1,867 people with spinal cord injuries or related disabilities, and their family and friends, attended at least one of the 200+ peer events held throughout BC. 99 new people with SCI or a related disability registered with the Peer Support Program.

 F Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

Dealing with a new spinal cord injury in rehab is one thing, but adjusting to an SCI in the real world is another.

Our GF Strong office saw a lot of traffic from outpatients and inpatients alike. Peer Coordinators like Richard and Teri worked tirelessly to connect with people with new injuries, and their family and friends, to let them know they’re not alone.

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ust right.

Sometimes something just fits.

Whether it’s a peer connection, a new way to try something, or a missing piece of the living-with-SCI puzzle. That’s exactly what happened to David.

When one of our members had to scale down his life and move into an RV, his spare chair needed a new home. So we posted it on our Swap ‘n’ Shop. Within a few days, David emailed and arranged to come take a look at it. He had recently been diagnosed with MS and was having a hard time. He rescheduled a few times, but David finally made it down to our office.

The chair was a perfect fit—but so was the relationship. After struggling to find confidence and acceptance, David found a group of like-minded peers. (And a slew of pretty awesome events, too.)

otlets.

The Iranian meat patties that brought us together.

This year, we added some extra flavour to our regular accessible cooking classes and encouraged participants to bring forward their cultural dishes and stories. Last August, Ebby and Mohee shared their Iranian favourites, kotlet patties, shirazi salad, and mirza ghashemi eggplant dip, and deepened our appreciation for Persian cuisine—and our understanding of life with a disability in the Middle East.

 ittle things.

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that the right thing, said or done at the right time, can make all the difference.

Big impact can come in a small package. Here’s how one little dog made a big impression on the life of someone with a new spinal cord injury.

 agazines that matter.

With 16,658 readers per quarterly issue, The Spin magazine continued to deliver disability-specific content that connected, informed and inspired the SCI community in British Columbia and abroad.

 umbers.

Part of the great work we do is making sure the numbers add up.

artners and supporters.

Each and every gift, of all types and sizes, made a big impact through SCI BC’s programs, services and support to thousands of British Columbians. To our donors, sponsors, volunteers and partners: Thank You!

esearch.

We partnered with investigators at ICORD,the world-renowned and Vancouver-based spinal cord injury research centre, and the Rick Hansen Institute to help bridge the gap between SCI BC peers and researchers. By recruiting new participants, we’re helping to improve the quality of life of people already living with a spinal cord injury—and those yet to come.

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cott Heron. 

SCI BC Peer Support Specialist

Each year our Peer Support Specialists and Coordinators go above and beyond the call of duty, and Scott Heron (centre) is no exception. This year, the Victoria father of four worked hard to help people with spinal cord injuries on Vancouver Island adjust, adapt, and thrive.

Scott led meetups groups around the province and started new support and coffee groups where he thought they were lacking. He rallied the Victoria and Vancouver groups for a sunset dinner cruise aboard BC Ferries, giving many an unforgettable journey and incomparable bonding opportunity.

And, in September, Scott partnered with Power To Be to give a group of fathers with SCI and their children the experience of a lifetime: a Father-Daughter surf weekend in Tofino.  (It was such a hit, we put it on the cover of our 2015 Winter issue of The Spin!)

eamwork. 

There may be an “i” in SCI, but our dedicated team made sure our members and peers were never at it alone.

niversal design. 

What’s better than making something “accessible”? Making it usable by everyone right from the start.

When our head office in Vancouver was equipped with hands-free taps and paper towel dispensers, and accessible push bars in the elevator and at the doors, our staff and visitors rejoiced—and so did the seven other disability organizations that share the office space with us!

an.  

We lost a friend, but learned a big lesson in paying it forward.

When one of our long-time members passed away, his family donated his van to SCI BC. He’d been such a positive person and his family knew this gift would help others with spinal cord injuries. We were able to sell it to someone in great need of a van—and use the proceeds to support our Peer Program. It was a win-win for the entire community!

hite water rafting. 

(And a checkmark on that bucket list!)

Adventure? We’re there! Last summer, our Prince George members hit the Cariboo and Upper Quesnel Rivers for a day of camaraderie and courage. With Big Canyon Rafting safely accommodating our participants, and tireless volunteers acting as accessible-bus drivers, baby sitters and equipment managers, the stage was set for the main act: A wicked set of Class 4 rapids.

Bonus:

When we called Big Canyon Rafting to book again this year, they told us they’d purchased a new lift-equipped bus to shuttle clients. Now they can accommodate anyone with a disability!

 marked the spot!

…at Vancouver’s only accessible scavenger hunt: SCI BC’s Bus Stop Hop! On July 26, more than 50 people with disabilities, and their friends and families, joined our iconic race around the city.

Participants travelled from YVR International Airport to Lonsdale Quay and everywhere in between, becoming more comfortable with public transit, completing funny challenges along the way, and helping to break down some social barriers, too!