Help Dustin chase his Paragolf Dreams!
Hello! My name is Dustin and I am a incomplete spinal cord injury survivor. On February 14, 2018 I had emergency back surgery to remove an abscess that had formed in my spinal column. Unfortunately this left me completely paralyzed from the waist down. When I awoke from surgery I was told, “You might never walk again.”
Not exactly what you want to hear when you wake up from life altering surgery. So, for the last 3+ years I have been off work due to the nature of my recovery and disability. During that time I have also been going through extensive physiotherapy and other treatments in order to walk in some fashion. I can now walk with a single point cane and can walk almost 2km.
When I was younger golf was a huge part of my life. I played every chance I could, sometimes 36 holes a day, when I was 16-17 years old. I practiced myself down to a 2-3 handicap and it was my favorite sport. After my injury I thought I would never golf again. I was too weak to stand and the thought of ever affording a paragolfer upright machine was laughable.
After all of my hard work and training I decided to ask my therapist if we can integrate golf swings into our sessions. Well, after posting a video of my new paraplegic golf swing, and it going viral, my passion was reignited. I am now a member of Paragolf Canada and have dreams of becoming the best adaptive golfer in my class in the world. I hope to document this journey on social media, and with Paragolf Canada’s help, spread awareness about adaptive golf! For more information about Paragolf Canada and their message visit: www.paragolfCanada.com
Unfortunately golf is a very expensive sport, which is why you see pros covered in sponsors! Yes, because of talent, but also because of tournament costs(you don’t see every tour player in a commercial for Nike).
To realize my dream I need to ask for the public’s help. Being a person with a disability and being off work makes my family’s financial situation difficult to support a golf dream. Most golfers look for corporate sponsorship however when you are a relative nobody that can be difficult to find. I’m hoping to raise enough money to purchase a full play club membership at a local golf club, a club fitting session to purchase updated golf equipment and some future tournament entry fees(once my official golf handicap factor has been achieved).
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! If you are unable to donate no worries! Please just share my post if you are able!
