Bring Ricky Home Fund

Rick Laird, 60 and his support team will be travelling over 4,000 kms from Calgary, Alberta back home to Nictaux, NS in July.  He has resided in Calgary for the last five years.  He will drive his customized wheelchair accessible van, designed to accommodate his disability of quadriplegia. This is not the first trip of this nature Rick, now a self employed artist has taken. He did it over 30 years ago as a young man in persuit of education at Calgary's Mount Royal University to complete studies in Rehabilitation Services. At that time, he was quadriplegic, having been injured in a motor vehicle accident at age 17. Later in life, he suffered a stroke which resulted in his current condition of Tetriplegic. These turn of events did not deter Rick from living life to the fullest.  He worked in Healthcare Administration and Rehabilitative Services most of his life, as well donated many volunteer hours to Canadian associations which assist our disabled population.
Rick, or Ricky as we know him, has helped many others along his life's journey.   He wishes to continue to inspire others to overcome their personal challenges - to succeed in whatever their personal goals are....even travelling across our beautiful country!
In 2006, Rick became the first individual to receive our Self Managed Care Program in Nova Scotia. Rick was one of a group of quadriplegic and paraplegic persons who worked with the Canadian government to bring forth this program for persons needing private support care services in their own homes, so they can STAY in their own homes.  Rick's program will cover the wages of one Care Attendant for this journey.  We have a crew of three, one paid and two volunteers to help Rick get home safely.  A second van will transport two of the road crew. The cost of lodgings, fuel and meals is on Rick as an employer.
Rick will begin his journey on July 3rd. He estimates 14 days to reach Nictaux, NS. At home, his family have been assisting with Rick's new dream adventure - the construction of a tiny house (on wheels) which Rick is designing himself from his Calgary home. (Similar to the one seen here).
Also a trained graphic design artist via studies at NSCC Middleton, NS, Rick has designed his home to be built for accessibility and economic efficiency!  A tiny house for a man with a very big  heart.  Rick will be locating his new artist's studio and hobby farm at this location.
Rick's family and many, many friends from the Annapolis Valley will be so very happy to have him home safely.