Hard to keep a good man down

Last weekend, I dropped by the Rick Hansen ‘Wheels in Motion’ fundraiser in Wolfville sponsored by Scotiabank branches in our area.

There were lots of events throughout a busy six hours, including a silent auction, live music, a barbecue and children’s activities. I went for the wheelchair races, which I thought might be fun to watch - as well as having the potential for some neat photos.

Watching the event unfold, I focused on a young man who appeared fairly proficient at handling his wheelchair, winning most of his races. They were calling him “Ben,” and I soon realized he was, in fact, Ben Brown from Weston.

Watching him handle his chair, I had two thoughts: first, Ben Brown has come a long way since an August 2006 ATV accident that left him a paraplegic. It’s a real credit to his spirit and competitive drive. Second, it really is hard to keep a good man down.

Prior to his accident, Ben, now 20, had been racing four-wheelers competitively on the Maritime circuit for the better part of two years. His proficiency and “devil-may-care” attitude earned him the nickname “Racing Ben Brown.”

Despite his expertise, however, he wasn’t able to prevent an accident on a practice jump that saw the back end of his four-wheeler catch, throwing him over the handlebars and onto his stomach, after which the machine landed on top of him.

Given a four per cent chance of ever walking again – much less racing – Ben approached his disability with the same positive spirit that had exemplified his life up to that point.

He took up wheelchair basketball, a sport he has embraced with his customary zeal and determination, and is now a member of a provincial team based in Halifax. He lifts weights, drives a modified truck and, just 11 months after his accident, began riding a modified four-wheeler around the yard at home. He has since entered obstacle competitions and, this year, is racing competitively again.

Ben could easily have given up but, as most who know him are well aware, giving up isn’t part of his makeup. In the words of the old saying, after having been served a lemon, he made lemonade.

In addition to “getting on with life” – he now plans a career as a therapeutic recreation counsellor – Ben is also more than willing to serve as a spokesman and role model for others with disabilities. Starting next year, he will take over as the event leader and ambassador for the local “Wheels in Motion” fundraiser.

It has been 21 years now since Rick Hansen, arguably Canada’s best-known disabled athlete, took his wheelchair across the country - then around the world, to raise funds for and awareness of spinal cord injury research. The “Wheels in Motion” fundraisers are the legacy of Hansen’s original “Man in Motion” tour, raising thousands annually for spinal cord injury research.

To me, Ben Brown has a lot of the same characteristics as a Rick Hansen - including the drive to succeed and the determination to not take no for an answer. “I like it when people say I’m courageous,” he told Sara Keddy in an interview earlier this year, “but I’m over that. I want to be more. I want to show people the chair and the life and activity I have. I do more in my wheelchair than I ever did able-bodied.”

Inspiring words from a young man who is truly making the best of a tragic situation, and one who can serve as an example to us all.