Dennis Needs a New Wheelchair

5 years ago, thanks to family, friends, and even people who have never met Dennis in person, we were able to come together and raise the funds required to help Dennis cover the portion of his (current) wheelchair which were not otherwise covered. Here we are once again trying to make that magic happen for him again.

Years ago, Dennis hit black ice on his way to work, changing his life forever. And even though Dennis has a spinal cord injury, he has a more active and independent life than a lot of people do with full mobility. He eliminates excuses and pushes forward - literally. He counsels people who have new spinal cord injuries and is active in the lives of his family and friends. He helps everyone he is able to help.

Dennis is a very big, very muscular guy, and his chairs are custom-built to his unique needs.  And that isn't cheap. And since only a portion of the cost has coverage, we need your help to make his needs a reality.

Do you need your legs to get around? From bed to the washroom. To the kitchen. To your vehicle and everywhere between? Dennis needs his chair for all these things. The chair is quite literally his legs. And he needs a new one approximately every five years.

As you can see in the pictures, he is an active, social man. And without his chair, he can't do any activities he enjoys. He has recently undergone some surgical procedures and his needs have changed as a result. In addition to the chair, we are looking for funds to also purchase an electric-assist device that attaches to the front of his chair to help him get around more easily. 

The electric assist would essentially turn his custom chair into an electric scooter that can be folded easily into the back of his vehicle which is not a wheelchair van. He still manually transfers into the driver seat from the manual chair. It will mean that he does not need to get a fully electric chair (which costs more especially since that would mean needing to purchase a van with a ramp/lift) and he can maintain his independence just like he always has.

Dennis is a special human who has inspired everyone he knows to eliminate excuses and do the things you want to do despite facing obstacles. He has been in a manual chair and kept active longer than most people survive after becoming a paraplegic. 

When I agreed to help Dennis raise funds once again, I wanted to share with people a little bit about what my good friend has to go through on a daily basis. Many of us see people using scooters, using handicapped parking spaces, or using electric wheelchairs and we tend to forget the impact losing your mobility or having a disability can have on every aspect of life.



Next time you see someone on a scooter, on the electric wheelchair, or park in that parking spot, watch them for a moment (in a non-creepy way of course!) and figure out if they can get out of their car and walk into the store. Notice if they can stand up out of the scooter they are riding to reach an item on a high shelf. If they go to use the public washroom, do they get up and walk in from their chair or scooter?

Now, I am in no means saying that these people are faking or don't need the assistance. However, I am saying this to highlight the fact Dennis needs his chair for EVERYTHING. Even simply getting out of bed to use the washroom. It is his legs. He is an active, independent man who, even with paralysis, keeps his dignity and independence like nobody else I have personally met. He doesn't use ramps or lifts to get in his vehicle. He doesn't use an electric chair. But he does definitely need that chair. The difference between a need and a want is obvious in this instance.



When I wrote the story for the page, I was very concerned that I wouldn't properly convey these facts. It's sometimes hard to make people realize and take to heart just how important this chair really is. And although I have known Dennis for almost 20 years (holy crap!), I would be unable to say I really know how it is as I have not lived it myself.



Before putting it all online, I spoke with Dennis on the phone because I wanted to be certain I was getting my facts straight and not missing anything important. I could tell by Dennis' voice that he doesn't like to ask for anything. Who does? I know I don't. But that's all beside the point - He's a humble guy that won't ask but definitely appreciates all of you taking the time to visit the page, read the story, share it on your social media and contributing to the cause.

Thank you for reading! Please consider making a donation on this page to help our friend with his needs.

If you are unable to make a contribution, don't feel bad. But I ask for you to still please share this page on your social media whether or not you are able to donate so that we can get the exposure needed to make this gofundme a success.