Ian Chan has been playing wheelchair rugby since he was a teenager. He became a quadriplegic at the age of 15 after a motorcycle crash. His recreational therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre was Duncan Campbell (opens in a new window), the inventor of wheelchair rugby. He asked Ian to try the game. Ian did, loved it, and has been part of Team Canada’s roster since 1998.

Fast-forward to 2017: Ian was working as an Assistant Coach at the BC Wheelchair Sports Association (opens in a new window). He was interested in becoming the head coach, but he needed to upgrade his computer skills for the role. He joined the Neil Squire Society’s Distance Computer Comfort program, which provides online computer skills tutoring to people with disabilities from the comfort of their home.

“It was really good,” says Ian about his experience in the program. “I had a great working relationship with Isabella [the volunteer who trained him]. She was very helpful and resourceful.” He remembers working on Microsoft Excel a lot, which he describes as “challenging, but worth it.”

Ian applied for the head coach position using the resume he had made during the classes, and was able to land the job.

Ian has the opportunity to use his skills at his new job: “I make training plans for my athletes, some of whom aren’t even in the Lower Mainland. Excel comes in handy for that.” He concludes by saying his life has “changed for the better” since he joined the program.

To watch Ian in action, check out the video below from the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships.