Stephanie Cadieux, 36, is a fresh face in the (BC Liberal) Canadian political scene. She was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia last year, and is the second wheelchair-user to serve the provincial legislature (with Doug Mowat being the first). Cadieux became a paraplegic at age 18 in a car accident.
A first-time politician, she worked heavily in the disability sector before running for office. Cadieux is the former director of marketing and development for the BC Paraplegic Association and was the manager of accessibility for 2010 Legacies Now Society, an org organized to support Vancouver‘s bid for the now past 2010 Winter Olympics. She was even voted one of Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 in 2007. Nice.
And like many people with disabilities, she’s worked heavily in the non-profit sector as well. She served as President of the Realwheels Society, Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, researcher and member of the advisory panel for the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), and was a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee for Global BC.
At only age 36, she’s done more with her life than most people who can walk. People like Ms. Cadieux prove to the able-bodied world that being unable to walk doesn’t stop one from reaching acclaimed heights. I always find it amusing in fact when people are surprised upon hearing stories like this. The fact of the matter is: It’s not as bad as you think (being paralyzed). We don’t need sympathy. We want your respect.
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