Building Bridges to Independence: My Journey and the Mission of Mobility Bridge Society
Hello! My name is Tyler Gerace. I was born and raised in the scenic city of Kelowna, BC, I was immersed in a life rich with music and adventure. As a dedicated technician at Beyond Audio, a local home automation company, I specialized in creating sophisticated systems for luxury homes. Beyond my professional endeavors, I was an avid musician and found joy in outdoor pursuits like mountain biking and hiking, embracing the natural beauty that surrounded my city.
In September 2004, my life took an unexpected turn. While driving to church, I was involved in an accident that resulted in severe injuries to my second and third vertebrae, leaving me paralyzed across 90% of my body. The transition to this new reality was arduous, but I was determined to maintain my independence. With the unwavering support of friends, we established a private care home equipped with a personal suite, enabling me to hire and manage my own care within the community. This autonomy was pivotal, allowing me to preserve my mental well-being and pursue creative and entrepreneurial passions. We later extended the home to accommodate two more quadriplegics after moving to a new property and making renovations for them. This allow the new residence to also pursue a better quality of life outside of institutionalized care homes.
One of my most fulfilling achievements post-injury was inventing a product tailored for the home theatre industry, aligning with my previous expertise in home automation. Bringing this innovation to market and witnessing its international appreciation was profoundly rewarding. Such accomplishments were made possible by accessible housing and the quality care I managed, which would have been unattainable in an institutionalized setting.
In 2018, I faced another formidable challenge. A surgical procedure went awry due to medical malpractice, resulting in a 295-day hospitalization as doctors sought solutions. This ordeal was more harrowing than my initial injury, forcing me to reconstruct my life from its foundations for a second time. After taking a year to fully recover from that, I am now channeling my energy into ensuring that others living with paralysis have access to the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
This commitment led to the inception of Mobility Bridge Society. Our mission is to develop independent living spaces for individuals with paralysis, empowering them to pursue their aspirations without being confined to care homes that may not meet their specialized needs. By providing accessible housing and support, we aim to enhance their quality of life, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the community and explore opportunities, including entrepreneurship.
Your support is crucial in turning this vision into reality. By contributing to Mobility Bridge Society, you help build bridges to independence for those with paralysis, fostering a future where they can live life on their own terms.
To learn more about our mission and how you can support, visit Mobility Bridge Society.
