“Everything happens for a reason.”
In her first year with BCMOS, Jasper Elise has already made a huge impact, dedicating over 50 hours of her time to various programs including kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling. A recent biology graduate, Jasper is on the path to becoming an occupational therapist, and her volunteering journey is a testament to her passion for helping others.
For Jasper, her motivation to volunteer is deeply personal. Having worked with people with disabilities at UBC camps and through her involvement with Motionball Canada, she was inspired by their resilience. “I think sometimes people that have experienced barriers are some of the most interesting people to work with,” she shares.
Jasper’s search for a unique volunteer opportunity led her to the Disability Foundation, where she was particularly drawn to the story and work of founder Sam Sullivan. “I kind of came across the Disability Foundation online reading some… stories about Sam Sullivan and the work he’s done,” she explains. “His work, like the fact that he could build this up and start a program like this, is just great. Once I started volunteering, I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t stop! This is awesome!'”
The opportunity to work with adaptive equipment was a major draw, but for Jasper, the true reward lies in the connections she makes. “I get to meet people that inspire me every day,” she says. “They have really remarkable stories, and they’re really amazing people whose stories deserve to be heard.”
One of the most memorable moments from her time with BCMOS came from a client who told her they’ve always had to adapt to the world, but what they hoped for was that the world would start to adapt to them. “I think BCMOS’s mission is extremely important, because this is just one of the examples of the world adapting to people with all different types of abilities,” Jasper explains.
She also shared stories of other inspiring people she’s met, including a client who is a blind Paralympian, and Janice, a former client who is now a volunteer. “People like her make a really big difference,” Jasper says, adding that the BCMOS community is “an extremely friendly, inclusive, and positive space for people to come and enjoy nature. It doesn’t matter what type of ability or disability you have— we’re just here to let you enjoy the different equipment and have a great time.”
Jasper’s biggest challenge was learning to communicate with clients who had different needs, such as nonverbal or non-English-speaking clients. “Every client’s form of communication really looks different,” she notes. This challenge became a key area of personal growth for her. “I think in cases where communication does end up looking a little bit different, it’s really important to pay attention to people’s facial expressions and body language, because that can be a really big telltale on how they’re doing.”
This experience, along with her time at BCMOS, has taught her that “you can learn something from every single person you get the chance to work with if you take the time to get to know them.” She says, “BCMOS has been some of the biggest personal growth I’ve had. It’s such a unique opportunity that grants people the ability to have growth and really understand disabilities from a different side or different perspective.”
Jasper encourages new volunteers to take the leap, regardless of their experience. “There’s no requirement for hours for volunteering, right? It’s just based on personal preference,” she points out. “Every time I leave a shift from BCMOS, I have a smile on my face. I’ve learned something new, and I’ve worked with an incredible person who’s absolutely one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.”
Looking ahead, Jasper plans to continue volunteering with BCMOS and is even considering a future staff position. She lives by the motto that “everything happens for a reason,” a belief that has helped guide her to the fulfilling summer she just had.
As this summer comes to a close, Jasper stands out as one of the dedicated volunteers who helped us reimagine what is possible for individuals with disabilities. If her story inspires you, we invite you to volunteer with us next year and make a difference.
Check out a short clip of Jaspers story on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNTdfzZoTrW/?igsh=ZHMzcDE1c29lZThp