Let Them Ride Again: Support Adaptive Equipment for Youth with Disabilities

Aven's world changed the second his bike wheel turned the wrong way.

At 19, he was on the edge of a dream. He'd soon be off to university to study mechanical engineering while riding with a school biking team. Like most Whistler, BC residents, an active outdoor lifestyle was Aven's entire identity. Then, just one week before it all began, a downhill biking accident left him paralyzed.

"I knew right away," he says. "Before I even stopped rolling, I knew I couldn't feel my legs."

Full stop.

Aven, a fearless backcountry rider known for landing backflips and exploring unmarked trails, was suddenly navigating a world that felt designed without him in mind. Staring out the window during those early days of recovery, what he missed most wasn't just the rush of the trail—it was his freedom, his identity, his community.

Breathing, but there's no fresh air.
Moving, but there's no thrill.

Then Shine Foundation stepped in. All that Aven could talk about was biking again. A custom-built Bowhead Reach was his ultimate Dream. This wasn't just a bike. It was a lifeline back to the person he's always been and the spark that engaged a brighter future for Aven and his community.

Eyes glimmer with a renewed spirit.

"The Bowhead gave me an excuse to go out with friends, connect with new people, and has helped me get more comfortable taking risks again," Aven shares. He has been transparent about his story as a rising social media influencer helping others understand disability. His rides are inspiring more than just a comeback story; they're fueling a movement.

This is what accessibility looks like. It's not just ramps, elevators, or buttons. Its Dreams realized, passions reignited, lives moving forward, connection to community, and the equal opportunity to experience life to its fullest. There are so many young people like Aven waiting for that chance.

We're calling on you to support Shine Dreamers like Aven across Canada so they too, can feel the power and independence of adaptive equipment. Together, let's reimagine what's possible.

Add your email to pledge your support for Dreams that open doors, expand trails, and change lives.