“I was like Julius Caesar! Hail, Maxim! It took me out of my comfort zone because I usually control my chair… Except that there, I had to give instructions to the people who were carrying me. »
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
Maxime Plante-Morin tells me enthusiastically about his first excursion in a joëlette, a single-wheel wheelchair that allows people with reduced mobility to go hiking. All it takes is for one person to hold the front of the boat and another the rear for any terrain to become accessible.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BIVOUAQ
Maxime Plante-Morin (on the right, sunglasses) surrounded by other hikers during an activity in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, in Mauricie
Maxime, he could count on about fifteen hikers who were surveying a mountain of Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc that day.
” I loved it ! My only downside is that it’s quite flashy. There are no shocks on the joëlette, it’s hard on the body… But creating a network, getting out of the house and living an experience that you would never have known otherwise, it’s worth the bang- ass. »
The expedition was organized by the BivouaQ agency, which allows outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities to explore places that are usually inaccessible to them…
Maxime may be a great sportsman, but this is the first time he’s walked on such narrow paths.
When we met hikers, we could see that it piqued their curiosity. Outings like this democratize activities for people with reduced mobility.
Maxime Plante-Morin, fan of joëlette excursions
And that is precious.
BivouaQ is a solidarity cooperative founded just over a year ago. The travel agency organizes outdoor excursions for everyone. Whether or not you have a disability, you can sign up for hiking, canoeing or Nordic skiing activities lasting from one to seven days.
For each group of a dozen participants, there are between two and four people with disabilities (whether visual, auditory or motor) and two guides. Others are invited to lend a hand, but without obligation. It’s up to everyone whether they want to get involved or not…
PHOTO SIMON CLARK, PROVIDED BY KÉROUL
Winter activities are also offered. An adapted armchair named Hippocampe replaces the joëlette.
“The beauty is that people rub shoulders,” explains Mathieu Néron-Toupin, co-founder of the organization. They get to know each other and familiarize themselves with a reality that is different from theirs in a super playful context! »
Mathieu Néron-Toupin caught the adapted tourism virus while working as an outdoor guide in Kyrgyzstan in 2018. He was entrusted with a group of participants with disabilities and was blown away by the magic that took place. is deployed during the excursion. The enthusiasm of the hikers was palpable; Maxime had the impression of doing good by working. He therefore specialized in inclusive adventures and traveled between Central Asia and Europe.
Back in Quebec, pandemic requires, he found that no such offer existed here. He contacted several organizations working with customers with disabilities to see if any of them would like to launch a project focused on the outdoors. The two founders of the NPO Réseau autonomie santé, of Victoriaville, responded to him with enthusiasm.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BIVOUAQ
The trails do not prevent the joëlettes from making their way… with a little help.
Since then, the fifties and the 24-year-old guide have been business partners. “We form a great funny team”, slips Mathieu Néron-Toupin, all smiles.
(I wish I could describe the candor and positivism he displays, but I wouldn’t be up to it.)
He explains to me that as a travel agent, he can now book places that are not suitable (think of certain campgrounds), then bring all the necessary equipment to make the stay inclusive.
The BivouaQ gang has also transformed several tools for everyone’s comfort.
Participants have at their disposal tables with spaces for wheelchairs, toilet tents with an adapted seat, modified camping chairs, panniers for transporting personal effects, etc.
Thanks to this approach, their leisure options become much broader. In short: they can go anywhere.
In July, a group will do a week of canoe-camping in the Hautes-Laurentides. In September, seven days of hiking in the Rockies are planned. Even a first trip abroad is looming…probably in Bolivia.
And for people who have no physical limitations, what is the advantage of turning to BivouaQ? Mathieu Néron-Toupin replies that they can travel together. “It’s a new form of tourism! You can enjoy your day off and let someone else enjoy it…”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BIVOUAQ
Sébastien Moisan (left) helps transport a joëlette.
Sébastien Moisan took part in an excursion to the Cap-Tourmente observatory last summer. During the ascent to the ornithologists’ marker, he helped transport a joëlette. However, for him it was a “normal hike”…
“And that’s not pejorative! What I mean is that I went hiking with nice people… There was no emphasis on people’s limitations. No discomfort! It was proof that you can enjoy the outdoors with people with disabilities like anyone else. »
He tells me an anecdote while laughing. A family accompanied a child seated in a joëlette. In front of a rock face that is more difficult to cross, the parents of the child with a disability have placed the wheelchair adapted to help hikers without limitations to climb.
Everyone needed help, deep down.
And the beautiful thing is that everyone was ready to help.
And it is with these words that I begin my vacation! I’ll come back to you in August, with my head rested (but above all full of ideas and inspiring people to present to you). In the meantime, any suggestion for a good book and relaxing film is welcome!