Seventeen-year-old Cassandra lives with a spinal cord injury as a result of a life-changing trauma that happened only three years ago. Before her injury, she loved being active and outdoors but with no mobility in her lower body, she has instead had to focus on adjusting to using a manual wheelchair for mobility, asking for help with her day-to-day needs, and finding creative ways to maintain her independence.
Like many teenagers her age, Cassandra is at a stage in her life where she wants more freedom, independence, and new experiences. She dreamed of being able to once again explore Alberta’s nature and her community that is currently not accessible by her manual wheelchair. With the help of Shine Foundation, Cassandra received a Freedom Trax wheelchair track attachment just before Christmas.
The Freedom Trax transforms Cassandra’s manual wheelchair into an all-terrain vehicle that’s lightweight and still fits into the trunk of a car, giving her access to urban and forest adventures without assistance.
Since Cassandra’s Shine Dream, she feels more confident going to places with her family, most notably on a recent trip to Lake Louise where she could wheel herself right to the edge of the lake. She is also more independent as she doesn’t have to rely on extra help from others pushing her chair. “It’s a relief now that she can participate more outside,” her mom shares.
Cassandra’s family has noticed a huge change, now that she has more of her independence back. They write: “First of all, thank you for the amazing work that you do for so many people with special needs. […] As Cassandra has always been an outdoor lover, this unit will provide her with the means to continue her enjoyment of the outdoors. When she uses it, we see a constant smile on her face. Again, thank you so much for your very generous donation. It is truly awesome.” – Cassandra and family.
More adventures are on the horizon for Cassandra and her Freedom Trax as she retains her favourite feeling of warm sunlight on her face and a fresh breeze in her hair. Your support of more Shine Dreams like Cassandra’s new rig will help brighten the futures of more young people living with severe physical disabilities.
