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Local boarder makes case for supporting Dual Mountain Rally

Organizers looking for more local participation in spinal cord research fund-raiser Just over one year ago, Whistler resident Tyler Mosher wasn't sure if he would ever walk again.

Organizers looking for more local participation in spinal cord research fund-raiser

Just over one year ago, Whistler resident Tyler Mosher wasn't sure if he would ever walk again.

But six weeks after he broke his back in nine places snowboarding on Blackcomb Glacier, Mosher was slowly re-learning how to use his legs at the G.F. Strong Rehab Centre in Vancouver.

His story is the exception. Or, according to Mosher, "a miraculous recovery."

"I'm the rare case," he said.

Mosher broke his back on Dec. 30, 2000 when he hit a windblown rock hole, landing on his head. He was wearing a helmet at the time, which he believes played a huge part in saving his life. After being heli-lifted off the mountain and rushed by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital, the doctors determined that the damage to his spinal cord was severe.

But it was not completely severed.

Mosher spent the following months turning his horrific accident into a success story and now, coming full circle again, he is actively trying to raise money for the rehab system that was instrumental in giving him back his life.

It was a cause that he was actively involved in even before his accident.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, participants in the sixth annual Dual Mountain Rally will be hitting the slopes in a combined effort to raise thousands of dollars for the B.C. Rehab Foundation.

"Three years ago I participated in the Dual Mountain Rally. Last year, two weeks prior to the event I had a back injury and ended up being part of the system," said Mosher.

The giant rally over both mountains raised $80,000 last year in an effort to support people who have had spinal cord injuries.

"There have been a lot of people from Whistler that have gone through the G.F. Strong Rehab Centre," Mosher said.

During his recovery process Mosher met fellow Whistler local John Ryan. This was the man who had hand-cycled across Canada, raising over $1-million for spinal cord regeneration.

"When I went through rehab I saw a lot of people with spinal cord injuries. I've seen first hand what (the B.C. Rehab Foundation) do and how they really help people," said Ryan.

Ryan was in G.F. Strong for more than three months during the winter of 1995 after being involved in a car accident.

"I think the Whistler community really has been touched by spinal cord injuries... due to skiing, the lifestyle and the highway. We contribute more than our fair share to the spinal cord ward," said Ryan, who has been on the board of directors for the foundation for about two years.

Even though the town has seen its share of spinal injuries, the Dual Mountain Rally event traditionally draws most of its participation support from Vancouver.

While there is a lot of local community support in the form of gifts and donations from various businesses, Whistlerites have been more reluctant to strap on their boards and skis and actually participate in the rally itself.

"I think that people are usually fairly busy on Saturday in Whistler," Mosher said. "There are so many events going on in Whistler at all times – it's hard to keep track of what's going on."

Of the roughly 30 teams that enter the contest, only about four are made up of locals.

"We've had a minimum amount of participation support from the Whistler community," said Don Andrews, the corporate liaison with the foundation. "We are trying very hard to improve the awareness level in the community."

Mosher is also trying to do his part by hand-delivering letters to locals, encouraging them to get into teams of four people and raise the required $250 each.

"A lot of people think they can't raise that money, but it's easy to get $25 from 10 people," he said. "I want to get as many local teams as possible with the goal of raising $10,000-$15,000."

But it's a challenge to get people aware and get them excited about the event. "There has to be a motivator. You need one person to carry the ball," he said.

On the rally day the teams are sent all over Whistler and Blackcomb in an effort to reach 24 checkpoints on the mountains. They must get their picture taken at each checkpoint.

Top skiers and boarders go with each team to "coach" them around the mountains.

"Rob Boyd has volunteered with us for many years. This is the level of the people that are involving themselves in the event," said Andrews.

This year's Dual Mountain Rally kicks off on Friday, Feb. 22 with a wine and chocolate party at the Westin Resort and Spa.

Some of the best VQA B.C. wines will be paired with different chocolates and everyone there will be eligible for a draw, which includes prizes of spa days as well as a ski suit from Descente.

The following day, at the end of the rally, there will be a Mardi Gras theme party with a 12-piece band.

"The Mardi Gras theme will be in full swing with beads and masks and as little else as possible," said Andrews.

In the raffle that night people will have the chance to win a trip for two to Brazil, a trip to Fort Myers, and a ski/bindings package from Atomic, among other things.

Ryan says the Dual Mountain Rally is the B.C. Rehab's number one fund-raiser throughout the year. The money that is raised goes towards improving the lives of spinal cord patients through research, arts and recreation, education and wellness programs.

"When a person gets seriously injured like that they can get lost within themselves," said Andrews.

The foundation can help them find themselves once again.

Mosher has found himself and then some. He is back in Whistler living in his new home with his wife Tonya. And while he is still paralyzed in parts of his legs and other places, and walking is still painful, it's business as usual in his two companies, TMD Landscapes Ltd. and www.art-brokerage.com, an online art brokerage.

"Yeah, I can't snowboard but three days ago I started cross-country skiing... I'm still snow sliding," he said.

For more information or to get a pledge form, contact the B.C. Rehab Foundation. For any corporations that are interested in sponsoring the event, call Don Andrews at 604-737-6383.