By JOEL JACOBSON Bright Spot
Wed. Jun 11 – 5:20 AM
Halifax Chronicle Herald
IN 1972, JOHN ROGERS broke his back in three places and dislocated it in two more in an industrial accident.
In 1993, John Rogers’ lust for life was highlighted in a Bright Spot column where he described how a wheelchair had not deterred him from doing what he wanted.
John Rogers, a paraplegic, lives an idyllic life at Lake Lewis, Lunenburg County, with his wife, singer-songwriter Cheryl Gaudet. (Joel Jacobson)
At 58, he had earned a sociology and psychology degree at St. Francis Xavier University, then became a rehabilitation counsellor with the Canadian Paraplegic Association for six years before serving seven years as executive director.
Back in 1993, John said he’d seen major changes in wheelchair accessibility in the previous 21 years. People in chairs have more places to go today, he said at the time. “They can go to schools, shopping centres, theatres, arenas. They can be educated and join the workforce.”
Yet, as I sit in his home overlooking Lewis Lake, near New Ross in Lunenburg County, with John and his wife, singer-songwriter Cheryl Gaudet, he says there is still much to be done to make life easier for those with physical challenges.
He hasn’t remained idle since our meeting in 1993 at then-Halifax Cablevision, where he was a volunteer camera operator “to prove to people that the chair is not a drawback.”
“I’ve learned to sail through SailAble, a program for people with disabilities,” he says. “Cheryl (who’s able-bodied) and I go out (sailing) ourselves. If she’s on the helm, I can work the ropes and vice versa.”
In 2001, they moved from Halifax to Lewis Lake. “It’s peaceful and serene,” John notes. “We were married here in 2004. People water-skied; I rode the boat at a high speed and we partied for that weekend.”
He learned to kayak and the couple has kayaked on lakes they can access. John has a pontoon on his, for balance, “and I can dance on it,” he says with a laugh. “There’s no reason anyone with a disability can’t do it. Kayaking is great for the chest muscles.”
Always upbeat and ready for the challenge, he took up curling three winters ago. Last spring, his rink represented Nova Scotia at nationals, finishing fourth of eight teams and beating eventual champion British Columbia.
Disabled curlers sit in their chairs, use a stick to push and control the rock, and don’t sweep. They lock the chair that is held by a teammate to prevent sliding.
“Next spring, we’re hosting nationals at Lakeshore Curling Club (in Lower Sackville). We’re trying to build the sport in New Brunswick and P.E.I. so there can be competition closer to us.”
Cheryl jumps in. “This new sport has been so good for John and the other curlers. They’ve had world-class coaches on the ice and in the classroom, where they’ve learned about nutrition, getting proper rest and other health issues.”
She smiles proudly. “John won the most sportsmanlike award at nationals.”
“Yeah,” he says, “I was Mr. Congeniality.”
He gets on the “accessibility for all” kick.
“Last year, I noticed the Nova Scotia Liquor (Corporation) was opening satellite stores in rural areas but not making them accessible. I fought hard for it but was told it’s not their responsibility. I told the person when he gets into the 21st century, call me.”
Eventually, John met with the minister in charge and the policy was changed. “I just saw the need, made a few calls, sent some e-mails and then went kayaking. I’m doing this stuff on my own and I’m not going away.”
Cheryl admires John’s forthrightness, yet says, “You have to deal properly with people, be diplomatic and understand where they’re coming from, too. John does that well.”
John pushed for more ramps, lifts and elevators in Lunenburg County and got them. He worked with the local Lions club for accessibility to its park near New Ross Farm.
He excels at doing things that might seem extraordinary for someone in a wheelchair. He drives a snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle and operates his own car. He travels the world, too.
“Cheryl and I were in Portugal and New York last year,” he says. “New York was impressive. The people were great to me, very willing to help. And the 46,000 bus stops had access for me to get on the regular bus. It was heaven on wheels. I felt so free in New York.
“The accessibility (situation) between the States and Canada is night and day. When we drove back into New Brunswick, I had to go to six restaurants before I found an accessible one.”
John recently took a writing course, is writing a novel and a history of wheelchair sport in Nova Scotia. “Another job with no pay,” he smiles.
He has learned to play bass guitar, wants to form a Beatles band, writes songs for Cheryl and promotes her CDs to radio stations across the province.
“If people stayed involved, whether able-bodied or living with a disability, and took the initiative to make change, it’d certainly be a better world,” he says.
( jjacobson@herald.ca)
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