Help Terry Be BARRIER-FREE

Hello there!

Thank you for coming to check out the GoFundMe account for our family.

For those of you unfamiliar with our story, Terry had a motor vehicle accident on Oct. 24, 2009 that resulted in a devastating spinal cord injury. Terry broke his back at the T3 level and has no sensation below his chest.

It has always been our goal as a family to try our hardest to function as a "normal" (is there such thing?) and able-bodied family. We try to make time for family trips. We go camping in the summer. We play together. Terry was lucky enough to have a handcycling bicycle gifted to him by a group of amazing people in the spring of 2010 and we have been able to use that piece of equipment for family bike rides. While Terry's handcycle has been an incredible piece of assistive equipment that's become vital to not only our summers but also a very necessary addition to Terry's fitness regimen, it does have its limitations.

We have recently learned about a new piece of equipment that would open so many doors for our family - an Armbike.

The Armbike would be an amazing addition to Terry's assistive devices because it is much more portable. Terry could attach this cycle to his wheelchair in seconds and cycle to work if he wanted to. Chantelle and Melina could hop on their bikes in the same time it takes Terry to attach his Armbike and the family could go for a bike ride down the street to the grocery store. Terry could detach and lock up the ArmCycle and use his regular wheelchair to get in and around work, stores or restaurants. We could put his Armbike in the back of our van during our road trips and be gifted with the ability to go on family bike rides during our camping excursions. These things are just not possible with Terry's full size handcycle due to its size. The handcycle takes up the entirety of our van with just enough space for Terry, his wheelchair and Chantelle with no space for Melina or luggage or anything else, quite frankly.

Biking together to the store, taking cycling paths around the campgrounds, biking together as a family where and whenever - these are things that able-bodied families take for granted but are experiences that we have not yet had the luxury to experience.

The truth of the matter is that assistive equipment such as this ArmCycle are ridiculously priced. Often times, it is the people who need this type of equipment the most that are the least likely to be able to afford it. We have found so many neat devices over the years online that would not only make Terry's life easier and more enjoyable but also his body healthier. But with price tags ranging from $500 (for a Free Wheel that allows more freedom to explore terrain like gravel or grass that is otherwise difficult in his wheelchair) to $25,000 (top of the line exo-skeleton which, for obvious reason, we will never have a chance to purchase), we often chalk up these devices as something nice to dream about but nothing we will ever be able to afford.

The ArmCycle costs $1999 Canadian with a $500 shipping fee as it is manufactured in Sweden and shipped to us from there. It would literally be a dream for us to have another piece of assistive equipment to add to Terry's repetoire that would benefit not only Terry as the obvious primary user of the device, but Melina as well so she can know the joy of having a family that is not as hindered by physical barriers.