'My disability informs me': Quadriplegic West Vancouver council candidate shares inspiring life journey
Twenty-four years ago, Alexis Chicoine's life changed forever.
At the age of 30, she was on her honeymoon in Venezuela when she got into a car accident.
"I guess I watched enough medical shows that when I'm laying there and I went to push to get up, I'm like, 'oh no, I'm paralyzed,'" she said.
Chicoine told CTV News that it was a huge adjustment for her, adding that it was as much an emotional journey as a physical one.
"You lose 90 per cent of your body," she said. "You have this projection of where life was going to go and unfortunately the partner at the time couldn't handle it. Too much of a change and he left."
"So, 29 to 31, I was married, quadriplegic, and divorced."
But the obstacles didn't stop her from living her life.
With the help of her loved ones, Chicoine got back into the workforce and said she soon noticed how inaccessible West Vancouver was.
"There are so many doors, even today, that don't have automated buttons; restaurants, bathrooms," she said.
While she has seen progress over the years, she said there's still a lot more work to do. Now, she's running for council in West Vancouver with the goal of seeing that work done.
"At the municipal level, I can't control everything, but I can control policy," she said.
She said if she's elected, she would offer a fresh perspective in council that she believes will lead to more inclusive and environmentally friendly infrastructure, including universally designed buildings, fully accessible public transportation as well as more senior homes.
"My disability informs me, but it doesn't define me," Chicoine said. "Diversity in thought is so important for innovation and that is all aspects that I tie to my disability."
"My disability has brought me so many strengths and it really has defined the strengths that I can bring to the table," she added.
Voters head to the polls Oct. 15.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.