After running rickshaws 160 kilometres a week in Ottawa for seven years, Léandre Casselman moved to Toronto in 1998 to start a rickshaw company here.  The seasonal nature of his work began taking him to Key West for 6 months each year where he operated ‘pedicabs' (bicycle taxis) and made friends from around the world.  When he returned to Toronto, he renewed an interest in adult gymnastics.  It was during a class at University of Toronto that he performed a tragic manoeuvre.

Léandre landed on his head during a round off back tuck.  His head pushed forward into his chest and he suffered a C7 incomplete spinal cord injury.  He could not feel or move anything from his chest down. 

It was July 2000 and he was 29 years old.

Eighteen hours after the accident, traction had not allowed his vertebrae to move back into place, so he went into surgery for four and a half hours.  In recovery, his thoughts turned to his future: how his life would change, relationships, and his ability to have children. 

His friends and family came from Ottawa and Montreal the day he was in surgery.

After nine days in hospital and having been placed in a halo vest, Léandre was transferred to Toronto Rehab's Lyndhurst Centre as a patient of the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program.  His first three months as an inpatient were spent in the halo which further restricted his mobility.  During this time, he did discover some movement in his lower body while exercising on an Active Passive Trainer - a self-propelled bicycle.  His therapy took a new direction with this encouraging discovery.

"No one told me if I was going to walk again and I didn't ask."  Léandre preferred to let time answer this question.

When the halo was removed, Léandre needed to relearn skills that we all take for granted in our daily lives including eating, bathing, and toileting.  Beyond that, he wanted to return to a productive, happy, fulfilling and independent life.  He accepted that his wheelchair wouldn't allow him to resume his rickshaw career and interests in cycling, in-line skating and sports climbing; so he was faced with recreating his life.  His journey started amongst the support and expertise of the staff and patients at in the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program at Lyndhurst Centre.

"I have fond memories of Lyndhurst and never laughed so much" recalls Léandre of his six months as an inpatient.  "At Lyndhurst disability is not the first thing that people see - the person is the first thing they see." 

While Léandre can stand and take steps with the support of a mobility device, it has been determined that walking in the community is not a possibility.  His physiotherapist in the Spinal Cord Rehabilitaion Program worked with him on advanced wheelchair skills - a learning experience for both of them.  His two years as an outpatient also helped give him the courage to update his skills and return to school where he received his diploma from George Brown's Computer System Technician program in 2006.

Following an unsuccessful year and a half search for part-time work in his new field, he opted to take advantage of his communications skills and life experience with an SCI and accept a Peer Support Coordinator position at the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario.  In November 2008, he accepted a new position as a Development Coordinator and now assists mostly with fundraising events. The CPA office is located at Toronto Rehab's Lyndhurst Centre where he continues to keep in regular touch with the people who were involved in his recovery.   

Léandre also maintains a close connection with the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program and the University of Toronto as an active volunteer.  He has been a valued participant in research studies which include surveys and drug trials related to spinal cord injury.  He also volunteers with McMaster University where his contribution is recognized with a Community Faculty designation.

'I participate in a lot of research studies to help further medical science.  I've done numerous studies from drug trials to FES (functional electrical stimulation) Treadmill walking. I'm definitely in favour of research that can improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.'
Quote from Léandre published in Toronto Rehab Magazine, Fall/Winter 2007 issue

Working with researchers including Dr. Catharine Craven, Manager of the Bone Density Lab in Toronto Rehab's Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Léandre is excited to witness the possibilities that science holds for him and others with spinal cord injury.

Another facet of his volunteering is through physiotherapy and occupational therapy student education.  So that they come out of their programs with a better understanding of spinal cord injury, Léandre provides demonstrations of Wheelchair Skills and hands-on experience to students.

Léandre also resumed athletic pursuits including wheelchair rugby.  He played with the former Toronto Barking Spiders with whom he went to the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Nationals three times and competed in the Ontario Paralympics.  He also wants to learn tennis - an interest that he will be able to share with his girlfriend. 

It was while volunteering at the University of Toronto that he met his girlfriend - his first since his accident.  She is also in a wheelchair as a result of spina bifida.  Sharing similar challenges has brought their relationship closer.  Together they have conducted lectures on sexuality and disability.

A recent financial settlement now allows Léandre the freedom to pursue dreams to travel the world and rekindle past friendships. Léandre values his self-sufficiency and firmly believes that not all struggle is bad.  He wants people to see past his wheelchair, as they do at Toronto Rehab's Lyndhurst Centre, and see him as a capable adult in pursuit of his life's passions.