“Have courage and be kind.”
Last year, after hearing a friend’s positive experience volunteering with the British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS), Caroline began dedicating her time to BCMOS’ kayaking and paddleboarding programs. She has helped people of all ability levels experience the freedom and exhilaration of the ocean at our BCMOS Paddling Centre.
Caroline used to paddleboard and swim throughout her childhood, making the volunteering experience extra enjoyable. Now, she gets to share that joy to others, especially those who might not usually have access to outdoor experiences outside of BCMOS.
According to her, some clients travel far just to attend programs like adaptive paddling. While accompanying clients on paddleboards and kayaks, the one-to-one sessions make it easy for her to connect and share moments of fun with others.
One of her favourite aspects of volunteering is witnessing “the thrill they get out of it, something we take for granted,” she said. She loves seeing people’s faces light up during their first time kayaking or paddleboarding. “It’s so wonderful and enjoyable to see them smile for the first time while they’re doing that,” she shares.
Beyond her invaluable contributions to BCMOS, Caroline currently works full-time at BC Children’s Hospital, conducting research in the clinical trials unit for oncology, a field specializing in diagnosing and treating cancer in children.
As a recent UBC science graduate in physiology and genetics, she hopes to carry what she’s learned from working with people with disabilities into her future dream of becoming a pediatrician. “[I] just love helping others and aspiring to learn about different communities,” she said, hoping to improve people’s lives by incorporating their perspectives into healthcare.
She carries the principle “have courage and be kind” in everything she does, as a reminder that strength and compassion can go hand in hand.
Despite her already demanding schedule, Caroline is considering also helping with ASABC’s Sailing program. She describes herself as a “yes person,” someone who leaps into opportunities to help communities and discover enriching experiences.
She describes volunteering at BCMOS as an excellent experience: “You’re volunteering outdoors, you’re meeting different people, you get exercise, [and] you get sunshine.”
Caroline encourages others to dive in and join the community of dedicated volunteers. She emphasizes that the connections forged can blossom into great friendships, adding “The Disability Foundation community is really wonderful and everyone is extremely kind.”
Inspired by Caroline’s story and ready to make a splash?
Visit https://bcmos.org/volunteer/ or email volunteer@disabilityfoundation.org to learn more about how you can become a part of our incredible team.
We hope to see you on the water!