Adaptive Mountain Bike for Brie!

Hi I'm Marty, and I am doing this fundraiser for my wife, Brie, who needs several new mobility aids geared toward getting her back to enjoying the great outdoors. She is an ambulatory paraplegic who wants to hike, bike and adventure again.

Brie is stridently independent and has a wild heart that finds peace when she is in nature, surrounded by the smell of trees, moss, tiny mushrooms, birds, and all the wonder that the forest has to offer. It’s something we’re all familiar with, but for Brie, it’s something eternal. She grew up in the forest and it's home to her. Her physical ability to access the outdoors has changed irrevocably, but her desire for connection with the healing aspects of nature has not. Brie has always been on a bike, biking is where she feels free and will instantly make her smile. But adaptive bikes are not affordable. She has always had a bike, but never has she purchased a brand new bike for herself, and now she is faced with spending over $20k to bike again.

This is a big ask and something that is hard for Brie to grapple with, but the reality of financial limitations as a paraplegic is real. Brie has had to take on the financial bulk of raising funds for modifications in all aspects of her life up until now: home, vehicle, clothing, mobility aids, and now sports equipment.

Brie needs our support! She has been working hard to raise the funds for an adaptive mountain bike to help her get out on all the beautiful trails in our town. Brie has been putting in nearly full-time hours on writing grants; not only for herself, but for other individuals that are also in need of an adaptive mountain bike. She has received 2 grants towards an adaptive mountain bike totalling $7000, from Challenged Athletes Foundation and High Fives Foundation. An Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB) is a piece of essential outdoor equipment for Brie. This kind of specialized equipment allows disabled individuals the freedom and autonomy to explore and enjoy the outdoors as they used to, alongside their friends and families – a priceless gift.

Other adaptive outdoor equipment Brie needs are:

-Beach fat tires for her wheelchair that she would like to get to access all the beaches in the area that don't have access paths.

-All-terrain walker (with 14" pneumatic tires) so she can hike. last year she did a 3 km loop! But with an indoor walker, she ends up having to pick it up over roots and other obstacles. An all-terrain walker would allow her to progress from there.

-and upright 2-wheeled bike with a dropper post, magnetic pedals and e-assist. when she first realized she could bike again, she cried the entire ride. It takes various modifications to do so, but it is sooo worth it. the aMTB would take her on the rough terrain and far into the woods, and the upright bike would give her the cardio she is lacking, strengthen her legs, and get her outside in town more often. she is looking for a used one.

Brie is committed to building community not only within the Deep River Queer Connection but also through the non-profit The Cando Society (Canadian Disabled Outdoor Society), an organization that aims to reduce barriers for disabled humans to enjoy nature in the Ottawa Valley. Her conscientious work in the community has been providing safety, visibility, connection and social support to others. Now, it’s time for her to ask for the same back from all of us.

Help Brie reach her goal to be able to ride on these trails and soak up the natural beauty that is so vital to her true being!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any contribution you’re willing to make toward this goal. Any little bit helps. If you are not in a position to donate funds, perhaps you’d like to share this with someone else who can. We are also open to donations in the form of time and resource-building: those who can take the lead on planning or executing alternate fundraising initiatives or ideas, please reach out. We appreciate you!